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)

Vice-Mayor 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. Vice-Mayor 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. Vice-Mayor 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.

Vice-Mayor 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. Vice-Mayor 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. Vice-Mayor 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.