GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Florida League of Cities, celebrating its 100th anniversary as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Green Cove Springs City Manager Steve Kennedy with a 2022 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2022 Legislative Session. Kennedy worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.

“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re very proud to present this year’s Home Rule Hero Awards to a deserving group of municipal leaders,” said FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “We had a record number of Home Rule Heroes this year, which shows the dedication and impact of local officials on behalf of their residents and businesses in protecting local decision-making. These local officials were constantly engaged and actively advocating for their communities throughout the 2022 Legislative Session. They’re heroes for Home Rule and we thank them for their efforts.”

Home Rule is the ability of a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.

“I am honored to be recognized by the Florida League of Cities staff as a Home Rule Hero,” Kennedy said. “Whether they are in-person in Tallahassee or at home, anyone that works with any governmental agency in the State should be eager to reach out to their Legislative Delegation as needed to let them know what their desires and priorities are.

The ability of our Cities to manage ourselves is much more effective and critical to solid local governance.”

Kennedy was appointed to the office of City Manager on Oct. 1, 2018. He has worked in municipal government operations for over 38 years; including 22 years with Thomasville, Georgia, one year with Cartersville, Georgia, 13 years as city manager of Kennesaw, Georgia, and three years as city manager of Americus, Georgia, before coming to Green Cove Springs. Kennedy received his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting at Valdosta State University in 1975.