ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. —
Dominique Douglas has been elected as the new mayor of Altamonte Springs, winning more than 60% of the vote this week in her first bid for public office.
“I’m super invigorated and really excited about it all,” Douglas said.
Douglas shared her priorities for the city, which include expanding affordable housing, supporting small businesses, maintaining neighborhoods and ensuring residents have a voice in addressing key issues.
One of those issues has been the city library, which has sparked significant discussion in recent months.
“The voters have made three things clear. They want a say in how the tax dollars are spent. They value their library, their city library, and they’ve elected new leadership to make sure that their priorities are heard,” Douglas said.
In August, City Manager Frank Martz recommended closing the 66-year-old library and replacing it with a digital-first community-based model. Many residents opposed the idea during commission meetings over the summer.
In September, the city unanimously adopted a 4.0 millage rate, which is expected to generate $4.9 million next year. While the millage rate does not directly fund the library, the facility will remain open until September 2027.
Douglas, a supporter of the library, expressed confidence that it will stay open beyond that date.
“That is what they’ve asked for. They were very loud and very clear about their feelings and the priority of the library. And this is before the amendment,” Douglas said.
Earlier this year, the city cut its nearly million-dollar Red Hot & Boom celebration due to high costs. Douglas addressed how she plans to lead amid potential funding challenges, including the impact of Amendment 3.
“I’m confident the city manager’s office is prepared to present me, and, you know, my fellow commissioners, with all the options and the flexibility that we’re going to need to continue to meet the needs of the residents,” Douglas said.