City of PSL Council members, staff honored with Home Rule Hero Award
Published on April 16, 2026
The City of Port St. Lucie is sharing this press release on behalf of the Florida League of Cities.
The Florida League of Cities (FLC) recently recognized four individuals from the City of Port St. Lucie with the 2026 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during this year’s Legislative Session.
The FLC recognized:
- Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo
- Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan
- Deputy City Manager for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation Kate Parmelee
- Finance Director Stephen Okiye
The Florida League of Cities noted the four representatives from Port St. Lucie worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices by sharing insights, local data and real-world examples that helped inform state lawmakers and elevate the voice of Florida’s cities.
“Local voices matter, and during the 2026 Legislative Session, these leaders made sure those voices were heard,” said FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “By engaging early, often and thoughtfully, they helped elevate the municipal perspective and reinforce the importance of local decision-making. We sincerely appreciate their dedication and are proud to recognize their advocacy on behalf of Florida’s cities.”
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.
Photo Caption: Pictured from left to right: Finance Director Stephen Okiye, Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo and Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan. Not pictured: Deputy City Manager for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation Kate Parmelee.