Longboat Key commissioner appointed to FLC committee

At-large Longboat Key Town Commissioner B.J. Bishop will serve on the Florida League of Cities legislative committee.

FLC has a mission of serving the needs of Florida’s cities and promoting local self-governance, according to its website.

Bishop's appointment means she will serve as a representative for the League’s Federal Action Strike Team, a group of local government representatives who travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for FLC priorities with Florida’s legislative delegation.

FLC is holding its Legislative Conference in Orlando Dec. 4 and 5, where members will vote on a legislative platform.

The legislative committee is made up of 36 mayors, commissioners and council members from municipalities across the state. Bishop is one of seven committee representatives. There are also five staff association representatives, including from the Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida Association of City Clerks.

As state leaders discuss property tax reform, local government leaders have been outspoken about the need to preserve the main funding source of municipalities. At FLC’s conference, one of the presentations is titled “Advocating for Florida Cities: Communicating the Importance of Property Taxes.”

Bishop has served on the Longboat Key Town Commission since March and is serving a three-year term that expires in 2028.

Also on the 2025 FLC Legislative Committee is Bradenton councilwoman Lisa Gonzalez Moore and city of Sarasota Finance Director Kelly Strickland.