Nicole M. Delfino Honored with 2024 Home Rule Hero Award
Published on April 02, 2024
City of Dunedin official recognized for advocacy efforts during the 2024 Legislative Session
Dunedin, FL – The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized City of Dunedin’s Strategy and Sustainability Manager, Nicole M. Delfino with a 2024 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2024 Legislative Session. Delfino worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda.
“The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them and thank them for their service.”
Home Rule is the ability for 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.
Delfino stated, “I am honored to receive the 2024 Home Rule Hero award. Thank you for the continued support throughout the legislative session from the Florida League of Cities and Suncoast League lobbying teams. This past session, this work was made possible through the support of City Manager Bramley and our City Commission as I met with legislators to advocate for and represent the City of Dunedin.”
Delfino currently serves the City of Dunedin as Strategy and Sustainability Manager overseeing strategic planning, legislative priorities & advocacy, community surveys, public art and the division of Strategy & Sustainability. Prior to joining the City, Nicole worked for St. Petersburg College, where she held the role of Operations Improvement Coordinator responsible for strategic real estate initiatives, development of college-wide process improvements, administrative responsibilities, and design and construction project management.
Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Political Science and Sociology and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of South Florida. She is an active and involved member of ICMA, FCCMA, FLC, SLC and serves on the Chamber of Commerce board and Dunedin Youth Sailing Association board.