Who We Are


The Ridge League of Cities serves as a resource that helps city staff and elected leaders serve their cities well and speak with one voice.

We are here to provide cities what they need to build thriving communities, through advocacy, training, and information.  Created in 1949 through an intergovernmental agreement of incorporated cities, the RLC has assisted its member municipalities in promoting efficiency in local government and in promoting things of common interest to our cities. Its membership consists of twenty-four (24) municipalities within Polk, Hardee, Pasco, DeSoto, Highlands, and Hillsborough counties.  

Companies in the private sector that share and assist member municipalities in their needs are also allowed membership as associate members.

The Ridge League of Cities gets its name from the Mid-Florida Ridge, a sand ridge running for about 150 miles south to north in Central Florida. Clearly visible from satellite, the white sands of the ridge are more prevalent in Highlands and Polk County.  Sometime referred to as the Lake Wales Ridge, named for the City of Lake Wales, roughly at the midpoint of the ridge.

Board of Directors


The Ridge League of Cities is governed by a 24-member board of directors.  Each Member City appoints one of its elected officials to serve on the Board of Directors.  There are also two non-voting members representing the City Managers and City Clerks.  The board consists of four officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) who serve one-year terms.

Meet Your 2023-2024 Ridge League of Cities Board of Directors

  • Arcadia Council Member Judy Wertz Strickland
  • Auburndale Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert
  • Avon Park Mayor Garrett Anderson
  • Bartow Commissioner Leo Longworth
  • Bowling Green Vice Mayor Sam Fite
  • Dade City Mayor Scott Black
  • Davenport Commissioner Bobby Lynch
  • Dundee Mayor Sam Pennant
  • Eagle Lake Commissioner Brandi Freeze
  • Fort Meade Commissioner James Schaill
  • Frostproof Council Member Tashana True
  • Haines City Vice Mayor Morris West
  • Lake Alfred Vice Mayor Nancy Daley
  • Lake Hamilton Council Member Marlene Wagner
  • Lake Wales Commissioner Carol Gillespie
  • Lakeland Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley
  • Mulberry City Commissioner Neil Devine
  • Plant City Vice Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis
  • Polk City Mayor Joe LaCascia
  • Sebring Councilman Lenard Carlisle
  • Wauchula Mayor Pro-Tem Neda Cobb
  • Winter Haven Mayor Pro-Tem Brian Yates
  • Zephyrhills Councilman Charles Proctor
  • Zolfo Springs Mayor Rod Cannon

Meet Your 2023-2024 Ridge League of Cities Officers


President: Morris West

Vice President: Rod Cannon

Secretary: Sara Roberts McCarley

Treasurer: Brian Yates

Executive Director: Bobby Green

Meet Your Ridge League of Cities Executive Director


Executive Director

Bobby Green, former Auburndale City Manager was named Executive Director of the Ridge League of Cities in January 2021.  Green retired from the City of Auburndale in April 2021 after serving thirty (30) years as city manager.  He previously served six (6) years as an Auburndale city commissioner, three (3) of those years as mayor.  He holds a Master of Public Administration Degree (MPA) from the University of South Florida (USF).   Green currently serves as Chairman of the USF MPA Advisory Board. He is a past president of the Florida City and County Management Association and recently named a Life Member of the International City/County Management Association. 

Member Cities


The Ridge League of Cities membership consists of twenty-four (24) municipalities within Polk, Hardee, Pasco, DeSoto, Highlands, and Hillsborough counties. 

Associate Members


  • AAA TOP QUALITY ASPHALT
  • ACENTRIA PUBLIC RISK
  • BIG SUR TECHNOLOGY
  • BOSWELL & DUNLAP
  • BROWN & BROWN
  • BRYNJULFSON CPA
  • CATALYST DESIGN GROUP
  • CENTRAL FLORIDA DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
  • CHASTAIN-SKILLMAN, INC.
  • CHA CONSULTING, INC
  • CITIZENS BANK AND TRUST
  • CITRUS CONNECTION
  • CIVILSURV DESIGN GROUP, INC.
  • CPH, INC.
  • DEWBERRY
  • DUKE ENERGY
  • ENERGY SYSTEMS GROUP
  • ENTERPRISE FLEET MANAGEMENT
  • EPIC ENGINEERING & CONSULTING
  • GRAY ROBINSON P.A.
  • HALE INNOVATION, LLC
  • JONES EDMUNDS & ASSOC.
  • KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
  • PENNONI
  • PERFORMANCE SERVICES
  • POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
  • POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
  • PREFERRED GOVERNMENTAL INSURANCE TRUST
  • PUBLIX SUPERMARKETS
  • R K & K CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • REPUBLIC SERVICES
  • SEBRING AIRPORT AUTHORITY
  • SOUTHWEST FL WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
  • SUNRISE CONSULTING GROUP
  • TRASH TAXI
  • WASTE PRO
  • WHARTON-SMITH, INC
  • WOODARD & CURRAN
  • WRIGHT-PIERCE

Past RLC Presidents


Please click the link below to see the past RLC Presidents (1948 – present).

Governing Body Documents


Please click the link below to see the Governing Document

What We Do


The Ridge League of Cities provides advocacy, networking, and information to empower member cities to build vibrant, resilient communities and to provide good governance.

Advocacy


The RLC encourages effective advocacy for home rule to all levels of government; fosters excellence in local self-governance and represents its member cities with the Florida League of Cities.

For over one hundred years, the Florida League of Cities has supported local voices making local choices to protect and enhance Florida’s communities. Growing from a small number of cities and towns, the Florida League of Cities membership now represents more than 400 cities, towns and villages in the Sunshine State.

Guided by the belief that all politics is local and the best strategy for sustained legislative success is one that continually engages local officials’ participation, we encourage all city officials to be active in the legislative process.

The Florida League provides members with tailored advocacy tools and training programs designed specifically for municipal officials.

Learn more about the Florida League of Cities legislative advocacy and priorities:

Networking


Sharing our knowledge to strengthen our cities.

The RLC provides seven membership dinner meetings each year for both elected city officials and city staff.  The meetings are hosted by various cities throughout the Ridge League.  Programs are provided on a variety of core and specialized topics.

The Ridge League annually hosts a breakfast during the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference for its members in attendance.  This conference is the largest municipal gathering each year in Florida, bringing city officials together to network and learn about emerging issues from leading experts. 

Information


The RLC helps to disseminate information on a wide variety of resources to help municipal officials, both elected and appointed, support their cities effectively and efficiently.

City Directory of contact information for city halls, including city officials.