Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Mayor Pat Kelley is proudly known as a fiscal conservative and a hero in his Minneola community. Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he started life in a military family on a Myrtle Beach Air Force base. Kelley was later raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is proud to share that he moved to Central Florida in the mid-80s and to Minneola in 2000. Kelley has an extensive education and management background. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting from Florida Southern University and a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems from Florida Tech in Melbourne. He also has an MBA from Stetson University in Deland.
Kelley is a multi-tasker. He has worked for the Walt Disney Company for over 35 years in Finance/Accounting and currently Data/Analytics. He also teaches computer technology, business systems, IT design, and related applications at Valencia State College. In his spare time, he plays the role of “Edger Boy” at his daughter and son-in-law’s landscaping company. Kelley also works full-time seven-days a week at being the Minneola Mayor.
Pat Kelley is very actively involved in the Minneola and South Lake communities. He serves on the Board of Florida League of Mayors, based in Tallahassee. He is the former Chairperson of the Lake Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization. He remains an avid runner, participating in multiple races and marathons. He even still enjoys skateboarding at the new Minneola Skate Board facility.
Minneola Mayor, Pat Kelley describes himself as ‘Fiscally Conservative’. When first elected, he earnestly took on the huge financial challenge of having Minneola on the brink of bankruptcy. He diligently worked with the City Council and the City Management Team to pay off all of their loans except one. Now, he safely leads their financial future by paying for everything in advance with cash and without incurring any new loans.
Sound Fiscal Responsibility: Kelley is also proud to share that under his direction, Minneola has never raised taxes during his tenure and he intends to keep it that way. He shares, “We have gone from being below rollback rates to actually cut taxes for our Minneola residents!” Kelley notes, “By lowering taxes and getting the developers to pay most of the costs for our growth, our Minneola residents have all become shareholders in this city. Instead of adding 10,000 new homes to garner a larger new tax base, we have created limits that is stabilizing the property and improving community values. When we buy new equipment, vehicles and furnishings for our city, we buy everything used. When Covid hit, we were able to invite all of our residents who were in need to fill out a simple application. We shared our entire Government Grant by dividing the money equally with every qualified candidate, so each Minneola resident received a $1,737 check. In Minneola, everyone wins!”
About five years ago, Kelley and the City Council implemented a temporary moratorium on all new housing, which is still in existence today. As part of this, he is continually working on rebuilding their positive financial infrastructure. Only the new housing developments that were approved before this, are still going on.
Under his direction, all needed Minneola roads, highways and traffic improvements are in process. Kelley adds, “We’ve added $65 million in roadway improvements over the past 5 years, which was done at no cost to our residents. The Minneola Ridge area, Hancock Road / Route 455 project, was also paid for without any costs to the Minneola residents. The new turnpike overpass projects were completely paid for by the developers and the Florida Turnpike Authority.
The new Citrus Tower Road project to connect Hancock to Montverde is now being built, and again, with the developer’s money” He continues, “We have added a beautiful new Skateboard facility within Trailhead Park, just a few years ago. We are adding a new mountain bike trail and areas for our community to exercise with outdoor equipment. We have upgraded our park playground equipment and we are currently reconditioning our outdoor basketball courts. In addition, we have plans to put in a new Minneola outdoor Splash Park that will be free for everyone to enjoy with their children and families. We are building a new 65-acre park area with an Amphitheatre and green space, that will again be completely paid for by the developers and at no cost to our residents.” Minneola Recreation & Parks include the East Chester Street Park, Minneola Trailhead Park and the City Hall Gymnasium. Plans are being discussed to add cricket fields, pickleball courts and an outdoor basketball court.
Kelley shares, “Our professional fire and police departments are truly excellent! While it is now out for bidding, we are going to build a new Minneola fire station next to our City Hall location. This project will be pre-paid with cash. A second new fire station will be built off of Hancock Road in the Hills of Minneola, where the land was donated by the developer. We do effectively use the Lake County Sherriff’s Department as our local police. We are very happy with them as they really do a great job protecting our community! “
Kelley further notes that the Minneola Public Works Department was moved to a new location near City Hall, and was paid for in cash.
The Old Town area will be redeveloped with a new community library and a new City Community Events Center. A new community parking lot will be built right on the former Public Works land. The original Minneola School House will be turned into a new Minneola Historic Society building.
While Phase One has already started on the Septic to Sewer Project, the city will cover 66% of the costs. The rest will be financed interest-free over the next five years, with no additional costs to the Minneola residents. A Water Line Replacement Project is ongoing. There also has been the wonderful recent trail refurbishment, which was primarily funded through a grant.
A brand new Publix Shopping Center is now being built at NEC Triple E Road & North Hancock Road in Minneola, FL 34715. This will be a dynamic new and different Publix store that will open by Fall 2021.
Minneola – The Choice of Families! Minneola is proud of its top-rated schools including Minneola Elementary Charter School, Grassy Lake Elementary School, Pinecrest Lakes Elementary and Lake Minneola High School. There has been an important addition to Lake Minneola High School and another addition to Pinecrest Lakes Academy. Plans are now underway to build a new Kindergarten through 8th-grade school on North Hancock Road by fall 2025.
Minneola is very proudly considered as ‘The Safest City in Lake County’, ‘The Most Livable City in Lake & Sumter Counties’, one of ‘The Safest Places in Florida from Hurricanes’ as well as ‘The Best City in Lake County for Millennials’.
Mayor Kelley notes, “We work for you the people of Minneola! Whether you live in Minneola or not, everyone is always welcome to our City Council Meetings! You can speak for as long as you want and about whatever you want.” He does not believe in the common three-minute rule. His goal is to be able to listen to everyone’s concerns and challenges, so they all become better educated before making any decisions. Kelley credits the Minneola success story to the teamwork created by the City Manager Mark Johnson and their City Council.
He welcomes anyone and everyone to contact him and the City of Minneola for questions, suggestions or challenges. Call or visit Minneola City Hall, 800 North US Highway 27 / Mailing: P.O. Drawer 678, Minneola, FL 34755, phone: 407-832-8572 / 352-394-3598.
