Neptune Beach voters will elect a mayor and a city council member this year. Council Seat 2 was also up for election, but Tim Horvath was the only candidate and was elected without opposition.
Mayor Elaine Brown is wrapping up eight years in the position, and is term-limited. Cori Bylund and Michael Phillips are running to replace her.
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The other council race on the ballot this year is for Seat 3, where incumbent Kerry Chin faces a challenge from Brent Rogers.
Neptune Beach elective offices are nonpartisan and all districts are at-large, meaning all registered voters in the city vote in every race.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to all candidates asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| CANDIDATES FOR NEPTUNE BEACH MAYOR |
Cori Bylund
Occupation: I run a solo law practice and have been handling family law matters for 19 years in Jacksonville and its surrounding areas. I also do appeals and am a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator.
Age: 48
Family: My husband is Dan Leonard. We have three sons: Dan IV, Michael and Talon. Talon is still going to Fletcher High School. My father, Mark, also lives with us. We have three generations in Neptune Beach. Our family also includes a lovable mutt named Punky and an ineffective mouser that wandered into our lives a few months ago. We call her Keke.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with double emphasis in Public Policy Analysis and Public and Nonprofit Management - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.
Juris Doctor - Florida Coastal School of Law
Teacher/Lecturer - National Business Institute and The Institute for Paralegal Education
Political experience: I have never run for office before this campaign. I have helped with other local campaigns and am a member of the Republican Women’s Club of Duval Federated and the National Federation of Republican Women. I’m also a member of the First Coast Republican Club.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Many of the citizens of Neptune Beach have lost faith in our local government. They believe that a few ambitious power brokers in our city control the city council and therefore, our city hall. I have a reputation for honesty and integrity. I have taught ethics to attorneys and paralegals. I will work for all of our city’s people, not just the powerful few and not just the squeakiest wheels. I will seek to restore faith in our elected officials by holding town hall meetings so issues may be discussed openly. I will seek to update our city’s website so that citizens can easily access information about our municipal code and land development code. I will actively listen to the people, and I will take decisive action.
Our beautiful city, like others, is facing challenges with crumbling infrastructure. Our watermains and sewer lines urgently need our attention. We need to move diligently from being reactive to being proactive with respect to fixing our pipes. We need to address the land development codes that allow construction to block our natural drainage. We need to address these issues while still maintaining our financial independence as a city. Selling our water utility would further scrape away at our independence as a city.
Revitalization of our infrastructure and keeping up with unfunded mandates are expensive dilemmas that need a leader with the right background. With my education in public administration, I will bring education, experience and commonsense to our budget. I am uniquely qualified to lead our city toward solutions to its financial challenges.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have the education, experience and skillset to lead our city forward. My educational background makes me specially suited to serve as Mayor of Neptune Beach. I have lived in Neptune Beach since 2015 and have lived at the beaches for 18 years. I have witnessed our city’s challenges firsthand.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope I will be remembered as the Mayor who gave the city back to its residents and restored faith in our elected officials.
Campaign website: www.cori4neptune.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Michael Phillips
Occupation: Attorney
Age: 50
Family: Married
Education: University of South Carolina - B.S.
Florida Coastal School of Law -- J.D.
Political experience: Neptune Beach Police Pension Board
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Protecting Our Small-Town Charm / Transparent Government / Modernizing Our Infrastructure / Keeping Our Community Safe
Protecting Our Small-Town Charm:
My campaign is not about standing still. It’s about responsible redevelopment and enhancement of our community. Any redevelopment should respect our existing charm, invests in our core values, abide by our codes and city charter, and foster opportunities for all without losing the essence of what makes us who we are.
Protecting Our Green Spaces: We will prioritize the preservation of parks, natural areas, and historic landmarks. Green spaces are the lungs of our city, and their protection ensures both environmental well-being and a strong sense of community.
Empowering Local Businesses: We will champion policies that support our vibrant network of small shops, restaurants, and family-owned businesses. When we strengthen our local economy, we strengthen the heart of our community.
Investing in Public Spaces: We will enhance our libraries, community centers, and public transportation, creating vibrant hubs for connection and fostering a sense of belonging.
Celebrating our Heritage: We will honor our history and traditions, supporting local artists, cultural events, and historic preservation efforts. Our cultural fabric is what makes us distinct, and preserving it is key to our identity.
Transparent Government:
When you know what’s happening, you can be engaged citizens, offering informed opinions and solutions. Open discussions build understanding and a strong sense of collective purpose.
Transparency builds trust. As mayor, I will share plans, explain decisions, and listen to your concerns.
Open communication fosters better decisions. Diverse perspectives lead to stronger solutions. Tapping into a pool of local knowledge, creativity, and passion is important. After all, it is the residents who have made our town unique. It strengthens our community spirit. Sharing challenges and triumphs builds a sense of shared responsibility and shared success. We become more than neighbors; we become partners in shaping our future.
I will be humble enough to admit when I don’t have all the answers. And I will be open about uncertainty and acknowledge when learning or further discussion is needed. As your, Mayor, I pledge to be open and transparent with you.
Modernizing Our Infrastructure:
For too long, we’ve neglected these vital systems, and the consequences are becoming increasingly dire. Leaky pipes waste precious water, untreated sewage threatens our health and environment, and crumbling foundations put homes and businesses at risk. As Mayor, I will prioritize the complete overhaul and modernization of our water and sewer infrastructure.
My plan is clear:
Review the city’s needs assessments: We need a clear and current picture of the extent of the problem, identifying critical areas and prioritizing repairs.
Secure funding: I will work tirelessly to secure state and private funding to support these essential projects. Innovative financing mechanisms like public-private partnerships will be explored to ensure long-term sustainability.
Ensure transparency and community engagement: Every step of the way, residents will be kept informed and involved in the decision-making process. This is our city, and our voice matters.
Improved public health: Clean water and proper sanitation are essential for preventing disease and promoting healthy communities.
Enhanced environmental protection: Upgrading our infrastructure will reduce pollution and protect our precious water resources.
Economic stability: Reliable infrastructure is imperative for our local businesses.
Keeping Our Community Safe:
Working together with our Neptune Beach Police Department and our citizens to protect the safety of our families and neighborhoods.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
As a business owner and family law attorney, I will use my 20+ years of experience and insight in running a small business and practicing law to serve our community and safeguard its future. I also have decades of community leadership and service under my belt, which makes me no stranger to getting things done with very little. Another aspect of my giving back to the community is leading an ongoing faith-based mentoring program for men.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Elevating Neptune Beach to a higher level for the benefit of all of our residents. As a servant of the community.
Campaign website: phillips4nbmayor.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
| CANDIDATES FOR NEPTUNE BEACH CITY COUNCIL, SEAT 3 |
Kerry Chin
Occupation: Software Developer for a Federal contractor providing mission-critical solutions for defense, healthcare, homeland security, and more.
Age: 56
Family: Married
Education: Cornell University - B.A.
Columbia University - M.Arch.
Political experience: In the past 21 years, I have volunteered for many civic and governmental organizations.
The civic organizations include the Save the Ferry Taskforce, Beaches Watch, Beaches Town Center Agency, and the Neptune Beach Ish Brant Beautification Committee.
For the City of Neptune Beach, I have served two terms each on both the Planning Board and the Community Development Board, with over several years as the board Chairman. These last 6 years, I have had the honor to serve in City Council Seat 3 and am currently Vice Mayor.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
There are many things that need attention, but ultimately, the top three priorities will boil down to infrastructure, improving fund revenues, and continuing to champion Home Rule.
It should come as no surprise that the many infrastructure issues we currently face are due to aging, deferred maintenance, and unfunded mandates from the State. We have instituted multi-year Capital Improvement Plans, performed asset analyses and gathered necessary GIS data, and created project prioritization lists for our water, sewer, and stormwater needs. Neptune Beach has also partnered with lobbying firms to fight for more funding from the County and State as well as argue in support of our Home Rule.
As I will state later, building relationships with the many officials at neighboring cities as well as higher levels of government can only benefit us. When we invited the Jacksonville Mayor’s office to come discuss our infrastructure needs, the City of Jacksonville came through with monetary help. When we asked our State Sen. Clay Yarborough and State Rep. Kiyan Michael to fight against SB 280 which further stripped Home Rule, they supported us and voted No. I, and many others, also reached out directly to the Governor, and thankfully he heard us and vetoed the bill.
Staying focused and working together with partners will be the key to our success.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
My long involvement with my community has provided a wealth of institutional knowledge about our city and its government. I understand how governance works and have built important relationships with people, our staff (at City Hall, Police, Public Works), and many officials from our neighboring cities. Having good relationships granted us over $7M in funding for needed stormwater work on the Hopkins Creek estuary, and continuing to build those relationships will only help our city in the long run.
Good government should not be about “us vs them”. I have been NPA (No Party Affiliation) since the day I first registered, because good solutions for our communities can come from anywhere. Let’s be open to possibilities!
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
My only hopes are for the continued success of Neptune Beach. We have a strong team at City Hall, NBPD, and Public Works, and they are all dedicated to protecting our character while guiding our community to the future. We are committed to addressing the pressing infrastructure needs of our community, and this tenure should be remembered as the time Neptune Beach modernized its infrastructure after decades of deferring maintenance and updates.
Campaign website: kerry4neptune.com
Campaign social media: None listed
Brent Rogers
Occupation: Real Estate/Construction
Age: 38
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: B.S. and M.S. from University of Florida in Building Construction
Political experience: None
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Restoration of trust and confidence in our government, infrastructure, and defending NB from out-of-character developments. I have a background in the construction business and will be able to actually provide oversight of our projects and finances. I support strengthening our codes and uniting with other small cities to lobby against the Live Local Act and its dangerous potential for NB.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Unlike anyone currently on Neptune Beach’s city council, I actually grew up here, so I know what makes this a wonderful place to live. I don’t want to change it, I want to protect it.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Restored confidence in the local government to do the will of the long term residents here and protect the character of Neptune Beach.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: (None given)