Antonio Arserio is running for reelection to Margate’s Seat 3. {Facebook}
By Bryan Boggiano
As Antonio Arserio approaches the final stretch in the race for Seat 3 against Theresa Booker, he discussed his achievements, campaign priorities, and future plans with Margate Talk.
Arserio won the Seat 3 election in 2018. When he was appointed mayor, he was one of the youngest mayors in Broward at the time.
Before his role in city government, Arserio managed SmartWater CSI’s North American operations and served on the city’s planning and zoning board for two years.
During his first term on the commission, he listed multiple accomplishments.
He included increasing employee pay and keeping city government positions competitive with the private sector as achievements.
Arserio said he expanded the public information office staff from one to three people, helped the department pay for a communications studio, and spearheaded parental leave for all city employees.
“I am a new father, but it’s just the right thing to do and keep the jobs competitive in Margate,” he said.
During his first term, he also reported focusing more on strategic planning and resident surveys, where the city reaches out to residents and businesses about needed improvements in the near, medium, and long-term future.
He also fast-tracked apartment development in the city and brought back $2 million in funding from Tallahassee since his election to Seat 3.
That includes $1 million for Fire Station 58 improvements, $750,000 for stormwater improvements, and $250,000 for system monitoring software and infrastructure.
He also stated that he continues to oversee downtown development.
This includes the area around Margate Blvd. and US-441. Before his term, New Urban planned for a mixed-use project downtown, which the commission challenged with a lawsuit.
During Arserio’s term, a judge ruled in favor of the city, allowing Margate to resume development on the vacant land.
“I have fulfilled campaign promises, and I continue to improve the city,” Arserio said.
If re-elected, Arserio listed three main priorities that he would focus on.
His first would be to develop a downtown entertainment district with new restaurants, shops, and some housing.
That development would help to bring in additional revenue to the city. According to Arserio, about 40 percent of residents pay less than $400 in taxes to the city.
The second priority he listed would be infrastructure improvements for drainage and waterway systems and the water treatment plants.
The third priority that Arserio listed would be a code review and rewrite, which he stated is long overdue. He said he and Commissioner Joanne Simone have been pushing for this.
When asked, he also mentioned that he would work to get an emergency manager position in the city’s budget for the Fiscal Year 2024. Arserio also discussed improving public safety operations and infrastructure.
Ahead of the election, Arserio received endorsements from Broward Teachers Union, AFL-CIO, the local police and fire unions, Hispanic Vote, and the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus.
Arserio stated that he would accept the final results of the election.
Related: Margate Commission Candidate Theresa Booker Discusses Important Issues Ahead of Election Day
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