P.B. County names McKinlay as mayor
Melissa McKinlay will serve as the next mayor of Palm Beach County. Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint McKinlay to the largely ceremonial post. As county mayor, she'll run meetings and county government at functions. She also will have a big say on what appears on meeting agendas.
The county mayor position is filled annually on a rotating basis by a vote of the seven-member commission. She assumed her duties at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
Since being elected in 2014, McKinlay, 46, a Democrat, has led the county’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and pushed through a paid parental leave policy for county employees.
Combating heroin and prescription drug abuse will remain a priority, McKinlay said Tuesday. Last year, the county recorded nearly 600 opioid overdose deaths.
“We’ve lost more lives this year than we lost last year,” McKinlay said. “Those are records I don’t want to continue breaking.”
McKinlay represents District 6, which includes Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and the rural communities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay. She has filed to run for re-election next year.
This is first time since 2006 a commissioner from District 6 has led the county commission, McKinlay said.
Before being elected to the county commissioner, McKinlay worked in the county’s legislative affairs office and served on the staff of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
McKinlay succeeds Democratic Commissioner Paulette Burdick as county mayor. Burdick will be leaving the commission next year because of term limits.
Commissioner Mack Bernard, 41, who was elected last year, was appointed vice mayor.