The Honorable Jose P. Diaz
Mayor, City of Sweetwater

Mayor Jose “Pepe” Diaz was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He arrived in Miami with his family in the summer of 1962, seeking asylum from the Castro Dictatorship, and has lived in Sweetwater since 1968. Mayor Diaz is a devoted family man, married to Maria del Carmen Diaz for over 38 years, and has three daughters, Monique, Krystal, and Celine, who were all raised in the City of Sweetwater. Not only is he a husband and a father, but also a grandfather of three: Marcus Logan, Rey Gabrielle, and Arian Ricky.

Mayor Jose “Pepe” Diaz has unequivocally served the Sweetwater community longer than any leader in the City’s history. A Sweetwater resident since 1968, Mayor Diaz’s history of service with the City began as an auxiliary police officer in 1980, Diaz was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1984. In 1986, Diaz began his career in public service as Chairman of the City of Sweetwater Police Retirement Trust Fund Board. For the next eight years, he served as the City of Sweetwater Council member from 1991 until 1999. He was elected Mayor of Sweetwater in May of 1999.

Upon entering office as Mayor, he faced several back-to-back catastrophic storms that were historically unprecedented and that ultimately resulted in catastrophic losses of property, infrastructure and life to the City of Sweetwater. These Floods were egregious to the extent that residents utilized canoes to travel throughout the City. During each storm, Mayor Diaz personally aided those most affected in our community, the senior citizens, by helping them evacuate from their flooded homes, and organizing several relief efforts. He spent countless hours lobbying in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., speaking to former President Bill Clinton himself and FEMA Director James Lee Witt to acquire the funds necessary for a Comprehensive Street Drainage Master Plan, which through a phased approach would address flooding issues in the city. Throughout the ensuing years, as a Mayor and as a County Commissioner, Diaz worked with local and state emergency management teams to prevent future flooding. Former Governor Jeb Bush appointed Diaz to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, where he advised on proposed regulations that could adversely affect West Miami-Dade’s water levels. In the present, these regulations and dozens of pump stations later, major flooding is an issue of the past in Sweetwater — and a best practice for other municipalities seeking to resolve flooding issues.

Throughout his tenure, he committed himself to being an engaged public servant, which garnered him the Hispanic Leadership Award.

In addition, he spearheaded the “Seniors Never Alone” program, which ensures that enrolled seniors receive a call at least twice a week. These calls, which were operated by the Switchboard of Miami, Inc., helped support seniors emotionally and helped them not feel so alone. Mayor Diaz was a strong advocate for the safety of our children by creating the “child safety zone,” prohibiting registered sex offenders from loitering in places typically frequented by children. He advocated for harsher penalties for those convicted of human and sex trafficking, particularly involving minors. Also, he supported the Safe Harbor Act, which provides safe houses and treatments for young trafficking victims.

From 2001 – 2022, Mayor Diaz served as County Commissioner for District 12, which includes the cities of Doral, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Medley, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, and a large portion of unincorporated Miami-Dade County. He was first elected as a Commissioner in November of 2001. He also served as the Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners from 2009-2010. Commissioner Diaz also served in various capacities on practically every County committee of the County Commission throughout his tenure. As a very proud Marine, Mayor Diaz proudly chaired the Military Affairs Board.

When three severe hurricanes struck Miami-Dade County, Diaz sprang into action to immediately offer assistance by organizing relief efforts, collecting supplies, and procuring funding. He also championed community engagement by hosting many free events for families across our county.

At the international level while Commissioner, Diaz served as Chairman of the International Trade Consortium Board advocating for trade and forging partnerships with other nations. In March 2010, Commissioner Diaz was appointed by U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, to serve on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC) and was reappointed twice. In this capacity, Diaz is one of several committee members chosen to advise, consult, and make recommendations to the U.S. Trade Representative and the president’s administration from the perspective of local governments. He also served as Chairman of the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC) until January 2023. During his tenure, Diaz was instrumental in facilitating many capital improvement projects and profitable ties for businesses on behalf of Miami-Dade County with South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Europe. Since 2005, he traveled several Asian cities (Tianjin, Hong Kong, and Shanghai), met with government officials and businesses to promote trade partnerships.

He also participated in a ceremony to mark a joint venture between Florida International University and Tianjin University of Commerce. Diaz secured a cooperative agreement for the County with Tianjin’s Municipal People’s Government.

His career as a County Commissioner culminated with the distinction of serving as Board of County Commissioners Chairman — a designation to which he was appointed unanimously by his fellow County Commissioners — in the year of 2021–22.

As a County Commissioner, Diaz’s career was marked by distinctions and superlatives. Amongst his transformational initiatives and projects that positively changed Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County, and the entire South Florida region for the better, here are some of the highlights:

• As a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Military Affairs Committee, he strongly advocated for the USS Gridley, which became the first Navy warship to be commissioned in Miami on February 10, 2007.

• Organized Miami-Dade’s historic Golden Veterans Parade and 50th Anniversary Commemoration on November 8, 2013 to give Vietnam veterans the long-overdue proper homecoming they deserved.

• Sponsored the notable legislation “Project Green Light” to honor the Veterans in which every county building will be lit up GREEN from November 7th to the 13th to show support.

• In 2010, he sponsored and successfully secured an annexation that expanded the City of Sweetwater by nearly 1.5 miles of land to the North of the City containing the Dolphin Mall along with hundreds of commercial, industrial and office properties.

• Under his leadership as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Miami-Dade County Sports Commission, the Sports Commission created a local bid committee to support Miami as a host city for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and also coordinated a massive block party on Brickell Avenue to support bringing the FIFA World Cup to the United States.

• Mayor Diaz was honored by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau with the 2013 Miami Magnet Award for his leadership in bringing the WWE WrestleMania XXVIII to Miami-Dade County in April 2012. The event generated $102.7 million in economic impact for Miami –Dade County.

• He played a major role in bringing two Super Bowls to our County.

• As well as bringing the Formula One racing series to Miami-Dade County for 10 consecutive years with option of an additional 5 years.

• The Formula One series has an annual economic effect of $349 million and provides over $100 million in salaries and compensation to more than 3,000 locals.

• He spearheaded the design and delivery of the Park-and-Ride facility next to the Dolphin Mall, within Sweetwater city limits. Park-and-Ride gives residence access to every part of Miami-Dade County by bus rapid transit and the Miami International Airport MIC.

• The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted to approve Sweetwater’s Western annexation application, which Mayor Diaz sponsored as a Commissioner on December 1, 2021, to expand the City’s boundaries, and further diversify the City’s economy.

• In 2022, Diaz presented a resolution last year as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Board of Commission a resolution, declaring the Friday before National Police Week every year as Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Miami-Dade County to honor our officers and recognize their significant contributions to our society’s protection.

• As a great supporter of law enforcement, Diaz sponsored legislation items asking the Florida Legislature to impose tougher imprisonment terms to protect our officers.

• Diaz fought for legislative change to amend State law to require a minimum sentence to ensure convicted felons in possession of firearms remain in prison.

• Another legislation sponsored by Diaz urges the Florida legislature to impose a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment when a law enforcement officer is the victim of aggravated assault or aggravated battery with a firearm.

• Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder and affects 1 in every 110 children, including 1 in every 70 boys, making this disorder the fastest-growing serious development disability in the country. Diaz is a proud supporter of Autism Awareness and has hosted many events to include Maimi Walk Now for Autism, which raised $685,000 towards the cause.

• He also sponsored legislation declaring the month of April as “Autism Awareness Month” in Miami-Dade County.

• While Commissioner of District 12, he established scholarship funds to assist our children achieve higher education.

• While Chairman, he has foreseen and probably one of the most important is one that will generate $1,169,662,369.00 in rental income for the county and approximately $20,165,000.00 in developer investment for improvements made to the Dolphin Station and maintenance services that accumulate a total county benefit in the amount of $1,189,827,369.00.

• In 2021, Chairman Jose “Pepe” Diaz received the “Leader of the Year” award from the Latin Builders Association (LBA) known as the largest Hispanic construction association in the USA and was honored at the Annual LBA Awards Ceremony.

• Chairman Diaz presented a new resolution that aimed to provide homeowners with new levels of safety and protection. The resolution was passed and offered a solution to the pressing issue of homeowners’ insurance in Miami-Dade County. It’s a great step toward improving housing insecurity and generally making property insurance protection more accessible, given that it is a need rather than a want.

Despite serving on the Board of County Commissioners, Mayor Diaz never left Sweetwater. Throughout his tenure as Commissioner, Mayor Diaz appropriated over $20 million of mileage to the city in services ranging from millions of dollars in CDBG funding for continuous phases of drainage improvements, park renovations, yearly appropriations for senior services to COVID relief efforts during the pandemic. The Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted to approve Sweetwater’s Western annexation application, which Mayor Diaz sponsored as a commissioner on December 1, 2021, to expand the City’s boundaries. The newly annexed area extends the city’s municipal boundaries two miles west, stretching out from NW 107 Avenue to NW 137 Avenue, from NW 12 Street to NW 25 Street. It is a primarily commercial area comprising several Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, GOYA, and Telemundo. This annexation will spread the cost of services and infrastructure needs in the community and allow the city to reduce its mileage, thereby lessening the tax burden on the working-class residents.

Now, Mayor Diaz has returned home to finish what he started in the City of Sweetwater. On May 9, 2023, Jose “Pepe” Diaz was elected Mayor unopposed. During his first year back in his hometown of Sweetwater, Diaz is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for every resident. Investments in infrastructure are currently being set in place, such as newly renovated parks, upgraded public facilities, and improved security networks that make daily tasks smoother and neighborhoods safer for our community.

Here are some of the notable highlights from Mayor Diaz’s first year so far:

• The reconstruction of Ronselli Park field, which commenced in April of 2024. Using top-notch turf, these multi-use fields accommodate numerous sports to include baseball, soccer, flag football, lacrosse, kickball, along with pickleball and basketball. Moreover, this project will include a new state-of-the-art-video scoreboard which will also be used to host movie nights for the community at large.

• While still engaged and truly never leaving the community of Sweetwater, the Mayor gave over $20 million in grant funding during his tenure as county commissioner to the city. The administration stridently continues to pursue local, state and federal grant awards for roadway, drainage, beautification of the city, other infrastructure improvements including public safety to continue the enhancement of quality of life.

• The City of Sweetwater Community Center was revitalized by completely refurbishing the facility’s interior and exterior with new equipment and furniture. Services for those residents who frequent the Center have improve substantially, from an upgraded bingo hall to a brand-new computer lab.

• Commenced 4 phases of Roadway and Drainage Improvements SW 5th Street and 5th Terrace between SW 11. This project will add all necessary catch basins, green islands for percolation, live oak trees to the streetscape, and additional lighting.

• In the spirit of preserving one of Sweetwater’s few; if only, historically designated sites the administration took steps to secure a $14,000 grant and other City funds to restore the historic bridge located at SW 7th Terrace, East of 109th Avenue. These efforts, which began in April of 2024, will restore the walking areas, add lights and seating amenities that preserve the bridge’s historic character.

• The city officially became a member of the Florida Retirement System (“FRS”) for its employees and elected officials. FRS will lead to the recruitment of better qualified employees and retention. It also ended an unaffordable pension plan for elected officials that will save the city millions of dollars.

Upon entering office, Mayor Diaz enhanced cybersecurity to the city’s broader operating system, and implemented a payroll system with efficient employee services. He also developed in the process of developing a state-of-the-art user-friendly website for its residents.

The Mayor also notes capital improvements are essential investments in the infrastructure and facilities of the city, serving as the foundation for growth and progress. These investments enhance the city’s physical assets, including roads, sidewalks, bridges, public buildings, and recreational areas. Capital improvements also include routine maintenance of the city’s infrastructure and equipment. This, in turn, leads to proper stewardship of public dollars through safeguarding the well-being of the City’s infrastructure and assets. By laying the groundwork and dedicating the necessary resources for a sustainable future, will ensure that Sweetwater remains a vibrant and resilient community for generations to come.