Oscar Sardiñas has called Key Biscayne home since 1984, where he and his wife, Joanne, are raising their two children, and are joined on the island by his parents, his younger brother and the rest of his family. Sardiñas graduated from Coral Gables Senior High and the University of Florida (1996). Sardiñas coached softball and co-founded the Key Biscayne Children and Education Foundation. He went on to serve on the Education Advisory Board and the Education Excellence School Advisory Committee before being elected to the Village Council in 2022.

Sardinas was selected by his Council colleagues to serve as Vice Mayor each of the past two years and he also serves as the Council’s liaison to the Education Advisory Board.

Professionally, Sardiñas has spent more than 20 years in business development and revenue leadership, and today runs his own consulting and executive coaching practice. He is now seeking re-election to continue that work alongside Mayor-elect Brett Moss and his Council colleagues.

Monday, Sardiñas took time out of his schedule to answer some Islander News questions:

IN: As you learned from these past four years, there are quite a few issues facing Key Biscayne now and in the future. Which ones would you prioritize, if re-elected, and what have been your biggest takeaways, or accomplishments, as a Council member?

OS: Going forward, the issues I want to lead on are education, stormwater resiliency, and our advisory boards and community groups. Tax pressure and the homestead exemption changes are going to be front and center, too; that affects every family on this island.

I also think we need to stay vigilant on the projects unfolding just off our shores and at our doorstep, (such as) the Bear Cut Bridge, the Shoreline Project, and the entire Rickenbacker corridor.

As for takeaways, the biggest one isn’t about a single project, it’s about how you show up to do the work. You have to go into every discussion genuinely open-minded, not trying to defend a position you walked in with. Listen first, really listen, to understand what residents want and need instead of assuming you already know. And get out of Village Hall and actually talk to people, be present, give back where you can.

I’ve also learned how important it is to lean on the people around you, your fellow Council members, the administration, residents who bring real expertise in their own fields, and to look outside our own borders, too. Some of our best ideas have come from paying attention to what’s working in neighboring cities and staying connected with people across the bridge.

If I had to point to a specific accomplishment, my work with our very own K8 Administration, the PTSA, the EAB, EESAC and the School District has all culminated into a real plan to enhance the Student, Faculty and Community Experience in our very own Community School.

IN: Was the fact that former Vice Mayor Brett Moss will be stepping into the Mayor’s seat in November a factor in your decision to run for Council again and what does he bring to the table?

OS: Not a factor at all; I’d be running either way. This has always been about the work itself. That said, I will genuinely miss Mayor Rasco. I think he’s been the best man for this job during his time with us, and it’s been a privilege to serve alongside him.

As for Brett, we’re friends and colleagues, and I have the utmost respect for him. I said it at my installation when I was elected (four years ago), he’s diligent and precise, and I meant it. I look forward to working with him.

I’ve also never really seen Brett as “opposed” to our stormwater mitigation and resiliency infrastructure program. I’ve always seen him as a voice of caution and prudence, someone who took the time to really define his own position rather than just react. That healthy level of collaborative difference is exactly what a Council needs, you want a range of perspectives at the table, so every option gets a real, honest look.

IN: Judging from some early entrants for the three available seats, it might require you to stand on the corner with election signs or go door to door. Are you ready for that? And how was that experience four years ago?

OS: Absolutely, that’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the campaign. Four years ago was a ton of fun, walking the neighborhoods, golf cart parades, knocking on doors, meeting and speaking with my neighbors. That face-to-face time is one of the most enjoyable parts of what we get to do as elected officials, and I’m looking forward to doing it all again.

(Note: As of press time, only a handful of candidates have announced their intentions to run, including Claire Amerena London and Luis de la Cruz. The deadline to file is noon Thursday.)