Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Oakland Park City Commission Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Commissioner · Vote for up to 2

David AndersonCandidate for Oakland Park City Commission in the Nov. 3, 2026 election.1sourced
Steven R. ArnstIncumbentOakland Park mayor and longtime commissioner who served on the commission from 1993 to 2001 and 2003 to 2011. He has worked at his family's auto repair business in Pompano Beach since 1978.8sourced
Chris FischerPresident of the Corals of Oakland Park Neighborhood Association. He asked the City Commission in May 2026 for more transparency and communication about city projects.5sourced
Tim LonerganIncumbentOakland Park commissioner and former mayor who also served on the commission from 2013 to 2020. He serves on the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Committee.9sourced

All five Oakland Park commissioners are elected citywide; two positions are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot and the candidates with the most votes win them.

3 notes on these statements

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections lists four candidates for the two commission positions: David Anderson, Steven R. Arnst, Chris Fischer and Tim Lonergan. Broward County Supervisor of Elections

City Commission minutes record Chris Fischer's public comments, in some meetings spelled "Chris Fisher", with his Corals of Oakland Park Neighborhood Association role and the address 3711 NE 13th Avenue. City of Oakland Park · Jan 14, 2026

Chris Fischer is listed as a Planning and Zoning Board member in the board's Dec. 11, 2023 minutes. City of Oakland Park · Dec 11, 2023

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Fitz BudhooCommissioner; elected November 2024 to a four-year term7sourced Aisha GordonVice Mayor and Commissioner; term ends November 20286sourced Letitia NewboldCommissioner; term ends November 20286sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesNE 13th Avenue sidewalks, Property tax rate and budget, Horizon downtown project Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline (book closing)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

NE 13th Avenue sidewalks

Where it standsSidewalk construction on NE 13th Avenue is under way, and residents have spoken for and against it at commission meetings in 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to pause or change the sidewalk project for affected homes, and how the city enforces parking where driveways meet new sidewalks.

On April 14, 2026, Commissioner Budhoo asked that the project be paused at the homes of residents who had expressed concerns; the minutes record Budhoo and Mayor Arnst in favor of a future agenda item for action and three members opposed. City of Oakland Park · Apr 14, 2026
At the same meeting, Vice Mayor Gordon discussed the possible risk of breaching the contract by stopping the project. City of Oakland Park · Apr 14, 2026
On March 25, 2026, a motion to deny the parking-enforcement policy resolution failed 2-3, and a motion to adopt it died for lack of a second. City of Oakland Park · Mar 25, 2026

Property tax rate and budget

Where it standsIn July 2026 the commission supported a proposed FY 2027 operating millage rate of 5.6799 mills, with final hearings scheduled for September 2026.

What's on the tableEach year's operating millage rate and budget, including how to prepare for possible state-level property tax cuts.

The city says the proposed FY 2027 rate would be its lowest operating rate in 18 years and that the proposed budget is $180.6 million. City of Oakland Park · Jul 28, 2026
The city says it is monitoring proposed state tax initiatives that could significantly cut local tax revenue. City of Oakland Park · Jul 28, 2026
In July 2025, staff recommended an FY26 operating rate of 5.6979 mils, described as the eleventh reduction in twelve years; the commission approved it 5-0. City of Oakland Park · Jul 16, 2025

Horizon downtown project

Where it standsThe commission approved a four-month extension in June 2026, continuing the downtown property sale agreement with Horizon Oakland Park LLC to November 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep extending and amending the downtown sale and development agreements, and what the project must deliver.

On June 17, 2026, the city manager said further changes to the plan would require a neighborhood participation meeting, a development review and a more complete change to the development agreement. City of Oakland Park · Jun 17, 2026
On Oct. 22, 2025, the city manager said the county had guaranteed a $5 million up-front grant for downtown improvements and the developer would contribute $1.7 million toward relocating Greenleaf Park. City of Oakland Park · Oct 22, 2025
Greenleaf Park opened on Aug. 27, 2026, built with more than $2 million in private investment, ahead of the larger mixed-use project. City of Oakland Park · Sep 4, 2026

Affordable housing incentives

Where it standsIn February 2026 staff proposed reducing the base permit fee for qualifying affordable projects, with fiscal policy documents to come back for commission approval.

What's on the tableWhether the city offers permit-fee reductions to affordable housing developers, including projects built under the state's Live Local Act.

A consultant told the commission on Feb. 18, 2026 that 800 affordable units were in the development pipeline. City of Oakland Park · Feb 18, 2026
The strategy includes up to a 50% reduction in the calculated base permit fee for Broward County Certified Affordable projects or Live Local Act qualified developments. City of Oakland Park · Feb 18, 2026

Communication on city projects

Where it standsResidents asked the commission in 2026 for more communication about construction projects, and the commission announced a community listening session for May 26.

What's on the tableHow the city informs residents about construction timelines, parking impacts and project changes.

On Jan. 14, 2026, the city manager said staff had done a good job publicizing projects and welcomed suggestions after website update issues. City of Oakland Park · Jan 14, 2026
On April 14, 2026, staff said downtown work would bring reduced parking, temporary road closures and event restructuring, and that shuttle and rideshare strategies were being researched. City of Oakland Park · Apr 14, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Residents are divided over the NE 13th Avenue sidewalk project. Should the commission take up pausing or changing it?
2. How should the city set its property tax (millage) rate next year?
3. The Horizon downtown sale agreement has been extended repeatedly. What should the commission do next time a request comes?
4. Who should tell residents when a major construction project is about to start?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots start going out to domestic voters (mailing window Sept. 24 to Oct. 1)Broward County Supervisor of ElectionsSep 24, 2026
Voter registration deadline (book closing)Broward County Supervisor of ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Early voting begins (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Nov. 1)Broward County Supervisor of ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Last day to request a mailed ballot (5 p.m.)Broward County Supervisor of ElectionsOct 22, 2026
Election Day; mailed ballots must be received by 7 p.m.Broward County Supervisor of ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Fitz Budhoo, Aisha Gordon, Letitia Newbold2 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The City Commission has five members, all elected citywide; commissioners serve four-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms. City of Oakland Park
Two commission positions are on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, and city elections are nonpartisan. City of Oakland Park
Mayor Steven R. Arnst's term expires in November 2026. City of Oakland Park
Commissioner Tim Lonergan's term expires in November 2026. City of Oakland Park

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