By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago delivered his fifth State of the City address Thursday morning at the Biltmore Hotel, following a rocky start that included a flat tire and a drenching downpour en route by Uber. The event, hosted by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, drew a packed ballroom for the mayor’s annual remarks (Full transcript here).

Lago opened by recognizing a wide array of city officials, including City Manager Peter Iglesias, and praised their efforts. He credited Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson and Commissioner Richard Lara for helping roll back commission salary increases approved the previous year—a decision he described as restoring fiscal discipline.

While much of the speech covered familiar territory, Lago struck a more personal and occasionally darker tone in unscripted moments. He reflected on the pressures of public service, noting the challenges of making unpopular decisions and managing criticism from both residents and political actors.

“Everybody wants to be my friend now, but I’m pretty sure four years from now, 99 percent of people won’t want to talk to me,” Lago said.

After his prepared remarks, the mayor took questions from attendees—continuing a tradition he said reflects his commitment to public accessibility.

Ballot issues take center stage

Asked about the most pressing issue facing Coral Gables, Lago pointed to the special election scheduled for April 2026, whene voters will decide on eight proposed charter amendments. Chief among them is a proposal to shift city elections from April in odd-numbered years to November in even-numbered years.

Lago noted that state officials had praised the commission’s decision to put the matter to voters. However, he did not mention that the original plan—advanced by Lago, Anderson, and Lara—was to enact the change directly through a commission vote. The commission opted for a voter referendum only after a Florida court struck down a similar move by the City of Miami, raising legal concerns about bypassing the ballot.

Climate, commerce, and the city’s future

Lago also addressed broader policy topics, including climate resilience and economic development. He highlighted the city’s annual $4 million contribution to a sea level rise mitigation fund, designed to support a future $100 million insurance policy protecting against climate-related risks.

The mayor voiced support for re-establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) to help revitalize the central business district but warned against repeating past missteps. He criticized the previous BID structure for disproportionately benefiting Terranova Corporation, the firm led by Stephen Bittel, which owns a significant share of properties within the district.

“He threatened to end my career if I didn’t vote to upzone… and spent $100,000 calling me antisemitic and a racist,” Lago said, recalling his opposition to upzoning on Miracle Mile.

Rebuilding relationships and honoring legacy

Commissioner Lara, who was in attendance, asked how the city was working to restore its reputation at the state level after last year’s salary controversy. Lago deferred to Vice Mayor Anderson, who was also at the event and acknowledged the damage but said she believed recent reforms were helping rebuild trust and re-open doors to future funding opportunities.

Throughout the event, Lago emphasized Coral Gables’ recognition as one of the world’s top seven “Smart Cities,” citing expanded fiber optic networks, AI-powered smart poles, permitting process reforms, and customer service improvements as hallmarks of the city’s modernization.

The mayor also paid tribute to former Chamber CEO Mark Trowbridge, who passed away earlier this year, proposing to name a new downtown park in his honor. He concluded by presenting the Key to the City to Chamber Immediate Past Chair Addys Kuryla for her leadership during what he called a pivotal year for the business community.

As Coral Gables begins its second century, Lago framed the moment as one requiring vigilance, innovation, and civic engagement.