Name: Frances-Delores Rangel
Office sought: Delray Beach City Commission Seat #2
Campaign website: deloresfordelray.com
Date, place of birth: 10/08/1958 Oklahoma
Do you agree or disagree that too much bickering and personal animosity exists on the Delray Beach City Commission? How would your presence help?
I have been watching meetings for almost three decades, and some city commissions are more lively than others. Under Florida Sunshine Law, commissioners have to debate important issues in public and sometimes they get passionate. I think debating the issues is healthy, as long as the arguments remain civil.
During my 27 years at City Hall, I worked with 9 mayors, 40 commissioners and 10 city managers and I got along with everyone. I can function in a political climate without adding more drama and get things done.
Assess the quality of leadership of Mayor Tom Carney. What does he do well and not so well?
Mayor Carney enjoys his role as Mayor. But he needs to run a tighter, more organized meeting, instead of trying so hard to control the outcome. Often, the Mayor seems to be pursuing an agenda that the other commissioners do not fully understand, and he has trouble articulating his reasons for taking certain actions. His preoccupation with the DDA is an example.
Do you support or oppose the leadership of the city Downtown Development Authority and would you support or oppose shrinking the DDA’s geographic boundaries or changing its taxing authority?
I saw firsthand how the DDA transformed our downtown into the vibrant scene it is today under Executive Director Laura Simon’s leadership. Downtown businesses are extremely satisfied with the DDA’s performance. The city’s audit turned up issues, which the DDA is addressing. At the current time, I don’t see any compelling reasons to shrink the DDA’s geographic boundaries or to change its taxing authority.
The Legislature is considering proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes. Do you agree they are too high, and what tax cut proposals do you support?
My understanding is this proposal is still a discussion and there are many variables to consider. A complete elimination or major reduction in property taxes without a stable, equitable replacement plan risks crippling essential local services. If Florida does this, they will likely need to allow municipalities to impose some type of assessment to cover local fire and police costs. In Delray Beach, almost all of our property tax goes to police and fire with additional revenue covering everything else. If this reduction in property taxes does pass, local governments will have to find other ways to replace this money.
In the second question, I am addressing Delray’s millage rate. Some argue our millage rate is higher than our neighboring cities, but this is because Delray does not impose supplemental assessments for public safety. If you factor in the supplemental assessments, Delray’s overall tax burden is more competitive.
In Delray’s last budget go-around, I was strongly opposed to the proposed budget cuts for the Education, Sustainability and Economic Development Departments – both the city’s goal setting and the Vision 2035 strategic plan have identified these areas as top priorities for residents.
City Manager Terrence Moore will mark five years of city employment in June. What is your overall assessment of Moore’s performance?
I worked with City Manager Moore for about two years and found him to be exceedingly polite.
In my opinion, CM Moore could adhere more closely to city policy and to the city charter. Many department heads have left city hall for various reasons under CM Moore’s watch, and certain departments, like Code Enforcement, have faced a lot of scrutiny. The City has spent time and money on multiple investigations, including the ongoing lawsuit with the former Fire Chief and the City Manager.
What most distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?
My deep institutional knowledge distinguishes me from my opponents and direct insight into municipal operations and policy. Newly elected city officials have a learning curve, and I will be ready to work on day one. Unlike my opponents, I did not seek endorsements from organizations, like the police and fire unions, that have contracts that come before the City. I do not have a PAC, my donations are visible in my campaign treasury reports. My candidacy is endorsed by two former Delray Beach mayors, Cary Glickstein and Shelly Petrolia.
List in reverse chronological order, starting with most recent, colleges and universities attended with years of attendance and degrees held.
I am a 1977 graduate of Atlantic Community High School, Delray Beach
List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 10 years.
My last 10 working years, I was employed as an senior executive assistant for the City Commission at Delray Beach City Hall. I retired in 2023.
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details and disposition.
No
Have you ever been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No
