Charles W. Burkett, Mayor

Term 2024-2026

Dayana Benmergui, Vice Mayor

Term 2026-2028

Andrea Travani, Commissioner

Term 2026-2028

Gerardo Vildostegui, Commissioner

Term 2026-2028

David Weingot, Commissioner

Term 2026-2028

FOR ALL TOWN-RELATED MEDIA REQUESTS, INTERVIEWS AND QUESTIONS, PLEASE TEXT 786-351-5102.

The Town of Surfside, Florida is a Commission-Manager form of government. Article II of the Town of Surfside Charter provides a detailed explanation of the associated rights, responsibilities and prohibitions governing the Commission.

The Legislative Department consists of the Mayor, Vice Mayor and three Town Commissioners. They are identified by name and title on the title page of this document. Collectively, the legislative body is responsible principally for setting the general policy direction of the town. The Town Commission makes four critically important appointments on behalf of the Town and provides oversight to those appointments. The appointments are: 1) the Town Attorney, 2) Town Board members, 3) the Town Manager, and 4) the Town’s external auditor.

The powers and responsibilities of the Town Commission designated in the Town Charter include, among others: 1) appointments, 2) establishing administrative departments through the adopted budget, 3) levying taxes and assessments, 4) authorizing bond issuance, 5) adopting and modifying the official Town map, 6) regulating development consistent with governing laws, 7) addressing neighborhood development, 8) granting public utility franchises, 9) providing for an employee pension plan, 10) monitoring administrative services through the Town Manager, 11) appointing interim Commissioners in the event of a vacancy of office, and 12) providing Town ceremonies.

  • Charles W. Burkett

    Mayor

    [email protected]

    (from Mayor Burkett:)

    I was born at St. Francis Hospital (which is now Aqua, on 63rd Street) and raised in Miami Beach. I moved to Surfside in 1996 to take advantage of the unparalleled lifestyle and have lived here, in the same home, ever since. Julia and I are the proud parents of William Michael Burkett (now 20). I enjoy skiing, diving, flying, boating & ...good food :)

    Education:
    Pre-school:  The Cushman School, Miami
    Grammar:  St. Patrick's School, Miami Beach
    High:  Archbishop Curley High School, Miami
    College:  University of Miami, BS, Finance

    Work:
    After I graduated from college, I used my savings from working as a construction site laborer to buy my first property in 1983. It was a home in Miami Beach that I renovated, with help from friends I hired, and then leased. I then purchased my first building in Miami Beach's budding Art Deco District with the remainder of my savings.  I renovated that building, was able to get a loan on the equity I created in the property, and bought my next property.

    I did this over and over throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s.

    I subsequently went on to expand on a national basis into an additional seven states.

    I currently operate a national management and investment company, which I own 100% of, which oversees those investments.

    For the record, with the exception of my home in Surfside, I do not own any property or have any financial interests in Town. My family did own property in Surfside's commercial district, but it was sold in the 80s.

    Civic:
    When I lived in Miami Beach, I was:
    A board member and chairman of the Miami Beach Housing Authority for nine years,
    A board member of the Nuisance Abatement Board,
    Member of the Code Enforcement Board,
    Member of the Community Development Block Grant Board,
    A Police Academy member, 
    A board member of the Miami Beach Chamber,
    The President of the North Beach Development Corporation,

    A board member of my neighborhood association, the La Gorce-Pinetree Homeowners Association,

    I have also participated in many blue ribbon & ad hoc committees in Miami Beach over my 35 years living there.

    Surfside Civic:
    In 2004, I ran for Mayor of Surfside and lost my first election by only a handful of votes.
    In 2006, I was first elected Mayor of Surfside.
    In 2008, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
    In 2020, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.
    In 2024, I was re-elected Mayor of Surfside.

    I'm proud of my record of service in Surfside to protect our town and its residents from exploitive predators interested only in financial gain at the cost of our precious small town way of life.

  • Gerardo Vildostegui

    Commissioner

    [email protected]

    Biography coming soon