Mayor Eric Diaz-Padron was born in the City of West Miami. He attended St. Theresa Catholic School, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, and Florida International University before earning a Dean’s Merit Scholarship to attend the University of Miami School of Law, where he graduated with honors. In 2019, while in law school, Eric was sworn-in as Commissioner and was subsequently re-elected in 2020 and named Vice-Mayor. On April 12th, 2022, he was elected Mayor, and re-elected in 2024 unopposed. In the private sector, Mayor Diaz-Padron is an attorney and business consultant with his own firm.

Mayor Diaz-Padron has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our City. He understands the burden of taxes on families and businesses and has made it his priority to reduce the property tax rate to the lowest West Miami has seen in over 30 years. Under his leadership, the City of West Miami has improved services to residents. Among these improvements are the provision of uniform waste bins at no cost to all homes, tree trimming and sidewalk cleaning services, the introduction of a WMPD bike patrol unit to enhance community safety, and the renovation of the beloved Rec Center. These initiatives reflect Mayor Diaz-Padron's commitment to maintaining and improving our City's services and sense of community while ensuring that residents keep more of their hard-earned money.

Legislative History & Initiatives:

• 15% reduction in property tax rate in the last two years, which is the greatest reduction of any city in the state of Florida. This is the lowest rate the City of West Miami has had in over 30 years.
• $9 million dollars in State and Federal appropriations since elected Mayor.
• Passed laws to make traffic studies related to development more transparent, increase notice and parking requirements for developments, and creating boards to promote resident engagement.
• Trash bin initiative – Mayor Diaz-Padron implemented uniform waste bins to maximize the efficiency of waste collection while providing a larger capacity bin to all residents free of charge.
• Speed table initiative – The safety of our residents is a top priority for Mayor Diaz-Padron. The speed table initiative has provided multiple, aesthetically pleasing speed tables to prevent our city streets from becoming “highways.”
• The “Veterans Only Parking” initiative – This initiative established designated parking spots for U.S. veterans at all city locations, treating them with the respect that they deserve.
• Led effort with City of Miami and City of Coral Gables to create multi-agency human trafficking task forces and joint enforcement zones between the cities’ police departments and
• Worked with Miami-Dade County to fund home delivered meals to homebound seniors throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns.
• Oversaw a 35% decrease in crime during first term as Mayor.
• Added an extra officer to patrol, added an officer to focus just on the recreation center where kids are playing, introduced a new bike patrol.
• Lowered the speed limit to 25 mph city-wide.
• Facilitated the planting of over 200 trees to expand the City’s tree canopy.

Affiliations:

Miami-Dade County Transportation Planning Organization                                                  Governing Board Member (Appointed by Governor DeSantis)

Coral Gables Hospital Board of Directors                                                                               Chair

Miami-Dade International Trade Consortium                                                                         Board of Directors

Miami-Dade League of Cities                                                                                               Board of Directors

United Way of Miami-Dade Public Policy Committee                                                         Member

Florida League of Cities Young Elected Municipal Officials Advisory Council                   Advisory Member

Florida League of Cities Land Use and Economic Development Committee                       Member, (2019 – 2020)

Miami-Dade Citizens Independent Transportation Trust                                                        Board of Trustees (2018 – 2019)

Florida Bar Grievance Committee – Eleventh Circuit                                                         Member, (2019 – 2020)

Miami-Dade Millennial Task Force                                                                                 Chairman – Economic Development & Jobs Subcommittee, (2017 – 2018)

Miami-Dade East-West Corridor Rapid Transit Planning Advisory Group                       Appointed Member, (2018 – 2020)

City of West Miami Charter Review Board                                                                     Appointed Member, (2017 – 2018)

Natalie Milian Orbis - Vice Mayor.

Natalie is a dedicated and experienced public servant, serving as a Vice Mayor for the City of West Miami.

Personal Connection to West Miami: Natalie's roots in West Miami run deep and personal. She and her husband laid down their family's foundation here, purchasing their first home on the same street where her husband's mother and grandparents once lived. West Miami is where they've welcomed their two children and where they've both lived and worked for over 15 years. Natalie's commitment to the city transcends her professional endeavors—this is the community where her family has grown and thrived, and it's the place they are proud to call home.

Vision for West Miami: Natalie is committed to creating a West Miami where families feel safe, where taxes are kept in check, and the neighborhood's small-town feel is preserved. She advocates for strong support for our police and firefighters, alongside robust programs for seniors, ensuring they receive the care and attention they deserve. Natalie is dedicated to making West Miami a nurturing place for all our families, especially the children of our community.

Natalie's commitment to West Miami is reflected through her extensive involvement in various civic and community leadership roles. Over the past seven years, she has actively participated in shaping the city's future, serving on critical boards and task forces:

• Member of the City of West Miami’s Planning and Zoning Board, helping to uphold the residential character of the city and protect it from overdevelopment.
• Member of the City of West Miami’s Charter Review Task Force playing a key role in reviewing and recommending changes to the city charter.
• Member of the City of West Miami Code Enforcement Board, ensuring that residents get fair representation and treatment.
• Member of the City of West Miami’s 4^th of July – 75^th Anniversary Planning Committee.
• Served on the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Pathways for Bi-Literacy in Elementary Education Taskforce, contributing to the enhancement of educational outcomes for the city's youngest residents.
• Appointed to serve on Miami-Dade County’s Redistricting Task Force by former Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. On this board, Natalie made sure that neighborhoods were not split during the redistricting process and emphasized preserving current voting sites to make it more convenient for residents to vote.
• Participated as a community leader and presenter for Miami-Dade County’s Ethical Governance Day, fostering a culture of integrity and ethical standards in local governance.
• Currently serves as Board Secretary for Coral Gables Hospital.

 

Professional Experience: Natalie's career in public service began nearly 20 years ago as an Executive Administrator at the Cuban-American Association of Civil Engineers, where she developed a strong foundation in organizational management and community outreach. She then transitioned to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, advancing through roles such as Commission Aide, Legislative Assistant, and Legislative Director. Her work involved legislative research, policy analysis, and providing strategic guidance, giving her a thorough understanding of local government operations. During her tenure on the Board of County Commissioners she worked for former Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, then Chairman Joe A. Martinez, and Commissioner Juan C. Zapata.

As the Program Director at the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board and the Dr. Antonio Jorge Social and Economic Development Council, Natalie leads program coordination, budget management, and facilitates effective communication. Her leadership has been pivotal in enhancing community engagement.

Educational Background: Natalie holds a Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the Florida International University, graduating with academic honors from Pi Alpha Alpha, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Her educational background has provided a strong foundation for her public service career.

Commissioner Ivan Chavez Jr was raised right here in the City of West Miami. His early years consisted of attending Sylvania Heights Elementary, West Miami Middle, and both South Miami and Florida Christian High schools. After graduating from high school, he received his undergraduate degree from Florida International University before moving on to receive his Masters in Public Administration from Barry University where he graduated with honors. Commissioner Chavez also has a Certificate in contract management (specializing in commercial contracts) from Villanova University.

Prior to serving on the city commission, he served on the city’s Code enforcement board as well as its Charter Review Board. While on the Charter Review Board, four Charter Amendments were added to the ballot during the 2022 election cycle, two of which were successfully adopted via vote by the city’s residents. Commissioner Chavez currently Serves as the Chairman for the city’s Parks and Rec advisory board. He was also the chairman of the City’s 75th anniversary / 4th of July Committee.

Commissioner Chavez is a staunch Advocate for Public safety and doing all that is necessary to ensure that the safety and well being of our city’s residents is always at the forefront of the city’s decision making. Commissioner Chavez serves on the executive board for local 1510 Miami Beach Firefighters Union and as a trustee on Local 1510s insurance trust fund. Additionally, he serves on the Florida League of Cities Legislative Policy Committee (Municipal Administration) which deals with Emergency Management and public safety among other topics, and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Committee on accreditation for EMS programs (COAEMSP), the national accreditors for all Paramedic Programs in the nation. Commissioner Chavez is a Fire Lieutenant with the Miami Beach Fire Department where he is assigned as a member of their Technical Rescue team. He is also a Rescue Specialist on the Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) South Florida Task Force II.

As a retired fire captain with over 33 years of dedicated service, Commissioner Blanes brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and commitment to the forefront of his role. Throughout his extensive career, he has exemplified unwavering dedication to public safety and community well-being.

The Commissioner is deeply passionate about conservation and preserving the environment for future generations. His years of service have instilled in him a profound understanding of the importance of sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

 

A qualified elector of the City of West Miami elected to office by the electors of the City of West Miami during the regular municipal elections held the second Tuesday of April of every biennial year.  A City Commissioner is (1) of (5) members who form part of the City’s Legislative Body with legislative powers.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT:
West Miami Community Center.

PROMOTES:
Quality of life programs for the elderly in our community by insuring a regulated daily meal program offered by the City of West Miami to those who attend the center and to the homebound clients, educational instruction to our seniors, recreational activities and transportation services.  Quality of life services to include waste collection, public works services and police protection to the residents and business partners.  Promotes new and innovative ideas to promote our commercial corridors and invite new businesses to the area.  Promotes beautification projects that enhance our residential character.