The Groveland City Council added two new members at the November 18 City Council Meeting as newly-elected Mayor Keith Keogh and Council Member Amy Jo Carroll took their oaths of office before an audience of more than one hundred supporters. Also sworn in was incumbent Council Member Barbara Gaines who was unopposed in the recent election and appointed by the council to be Vice Mayor. Keogh replaces former Mayor Evelyn Wilson and Carroll, as well as former Council Member Dina Sweatt.
Keogh, a retired chef and owner of Olive Isle Family Farm in Groveland, addressed the assembly in a brief speech. Promising to build community, encourage unity and address rapid growth and development and city spending, he noted that, “we need to get a handle on what we’re facing here. Previous administrations have approved more than 20,000 future homes. That’s a burden on our infrastructure that is already stressed.”
As a candidate, Keogh heard from voters concerned about higher taxes, but resisted calls for tax cuts saying, “The current budget of over $300 million for capital improvements is a challenge and thus we must address other priorities and tighten our belts.” Now Mayor, he announced the formation of several working groups comprised of volunteers to examine city procedures and make recommendations for efficiencies.
Keogh went on to announce a series of town hall meetings. “Starting in January, I invite regular citizen input on the issues we face with one in each of the city’s four council districts on a regular schedule.”
Mayor Keogh can be contacted at keith.keogh@groveland.fl.gov.
Vice Mayor Barbara Gaines can be contacted at barbara.gaines@groveland-fl.gov.
Council Member Amy Jo Carroll can be contacted at amyjo.carroll@groveland-fl.gov.
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About the City of Groveland: Located just 27 miles west of Downtown Orlando, the City of Groveland, known as the City with Natural Charm, is an ecosystem intentionally connecting safety, service, and innovation to support a vibrant welcoming community with Natural Charm. With a population of over 21,000, Groveland is a collection of neighborhoods interweaving diverse people into an eco-agrarian landscape that prides itself on being one of the safest growing cities in Florida.
