Venice, FL –The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, has recognized City of Venice Mayor Nick Pachota with a 2024 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2024Legislative Session. Pachota worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, and advance the League’s legislative agenda.
He Pachota was presented the award at a ManaSota League of Cities meeting Thursday on Longboat Key. A full list of recipients can be found on the FLC website here: www.floridaleagueofcities.com/advocacy-pages/home-rule-heroes.
“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.
This is the second year in a row Pachota has been honored with the award.
“This award is a result of the efforts of so many great collaborators, and I am so fortunate to have a supportive family, extremely intelligent and innovative members of our City staff, and open-minded elected officials to work with to meet on common ground,” Pachota said. “Furthermore, I appreciate the support of my colleagues on the Venice City Council, past and present, for their continued support and volunteerism.”
Pachota was elected Mayor in 2022. He has served on the City Council since 2019 and also served as Vice Mayor.
Pachota moved to Venice in 1987. As a young man, he served as the chairman of the Venice Youth Advisory Board and was a Venice Police Explorer. He has an extensive background in public safety. He attended college in Orlando, and became an EMT, a paramedic, a firefighter, worked in law enforcement as a SWAT medic, and was the EMS training program director, a tenured faculty, and the union president at Eastern Florida State College.
Pachota is a Deputy Team Commander for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a co-owner of Sharky’s on the Pier, Fins, and Snook Haven. He is also a licensed Paramedic, certified Firefighter, and active EMS Instructor for Sarasota County Schools.