Sheena R Britton, City of Sanford - Commissioner District 1

07/29/2026

NEIGHBORS I AM CONCERNED…
GROWTH SHOULD NEVER OUTPACE OUR ABILITY TO SUPPORT IT!

One of the biggest misconceptions about local government is that commissioners can simply vote “no” to any development they don’t like. That’s not how Florida law works.

When a proposed development complies with our adopted Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations, personal preference alone is not a legal basis for denying the application.

That doesn’t mean our work is done. We can often request conditions and improvements that make a project more compatible with the surrounding community, better protect our environment, address traffic and infrastructure concerns, enhance landscaping and buffering, or improve the overall quality of the development.

Those changes don’t happen by accident. They require careful preparation, thorough review, meaningful conversations, and attention to the smallest details. If you’ve followed my work as your commissioner, then you know I’m not afraid to slow down a meeting, ask the difficult questions, and work through every detail to ensure we’re getting the best possible outcome for our community.

Neighbors, my focus is on improving the policies that guide development before projects ever come before the Commission. If we want different outcomes tomorrow, we have to strengthen the rules today.

I’ll continue asking tough questions, advocating for smart planning, and working toward a Sanford that grows in a way future generations will be proud of.

Growth should never outpace our ability to support it.

07/14/2026

1 more day to submit

Calling all Downtown Sanford residents! 🇺🇸🏡

Get creative, decorate your porch, and join Sanford Main Street’s Patriotic Porches decorating contest as part of our USA 250 Celebration.

Submit your photos to [email protected] from July 4 – July 15.

Voting will take place on Instagram from July 16 – July 31, and winners will be announced after voting finishes.

Prizes:
1st Place: $125 in prizes
2nd Place: $75 in prizes
3rd Place: $50 in prizes

You must follow on Instagram to win.

Break out the flags, bunting, lights, and patriotic flair — we can’t wait to see your porch! 🇺🇸

07/14/2026

Hi Neighbors,

📌City of Sanford Expands to a Five-Day Public Service Schedule

Beginning August 1, 2026, the City of Sanford will transition to a new five-day public service schedule designed to make City Hall more accessible and better serve our community.

City Hall will move from its current schedule of Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to a new schedule of Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This change will provide 50 hours of public service each week, giving residents, businesses, contractors, and visitors greater access to City services throughout the workweek.

What this means for our community:
• City Hall will be open Monday through Friday for in-person services.
• More convenient access for residents, businesses, and community members who need assistance during the workweek.
• Better coordination with contractors, developers, utility providers, regional agencies, and other organizations that operate on a traditional five-day schedule.

City employees will continue working a full 40-hour workweek through staggered shifts, ensuring services remain available throughout the week while maintaining operational efficiency.

As the needs of our community continue to evolve, the City of Sanford remains committed to providing responsive, accessible, and efficient public services. Expanding weekday availability is another step toward making it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to connect with their local government.

07/04/2026

06/25/2026

Grand Opening of Fire Station 40!
We celebrated more than the opening of a new fire station we celebrated the brave men and women who answer the call when our community needs them most.

Fire Station 40 represents an investment in public safety, preparedness, and the people who put service above self every single day. I’m grateful for their commitment and proud to stand alongside those who work tirelessly to keep Sanford safe.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this milestone possible. Here’s to a stronger, safer future for our city.
Most importantly thank you to the PEOPLE of SANFORD!

*Fire Station 40, is located at 3390 Skyway Drive in Sanford. This 14,000 square foot facility will enhance the emergency services provided to Sanford residents and the surrounding areas.

06/22/2026

AIRBNB | SHORT TERM RENTALS

I’ve asked our City Manager to have staff place a discussion on our work session agenda regarding short-term rentals, such as Airbnb properties.

I’ve received mixed feedback from residents. Some see these rentals as a benefit to our community, while others have shared concerns about their impact on residential neighborhoods including one resident who sent me a photo of a large tour bus parked in front of her home because of a neighboring short-term rental.

The City already has regulations in place, but your perspective matters. Do you believe short-term rentals are an asset to our community, or do you think changes should be considered?

Please share your thoughts respectfully in the comments. I’m listening.

06/10/2026

Monday night was a very special evening for me.

I was honored to receive my 15-Year Service Pin and certification recognizing my years of service to the City of Sanford. While the award recognizes 15 years, I have actually had the privilege of serving this city for 16 years. For the past six years, that service has continued in a different capacity as your elected District 1 Commissioner.

Looking back, I am humbled by the journey. From city employee to elected official, my heart has always been rooted in one thing: serving the people of Sanford. Every neighborhood meeting, community event, difficult conversation, celebration, and challenge has helped shape me into the leader I am today.

Public service is not always easy, but it has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am grateful to the residents who have trusted me, the city staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes, my colleagues, friends, family, and everyone who has encouraged me along the way.

Most importantly, thank you to my community. Thank you for allowing me to serve, for holding me accountable, for sharing your ideas, and for believing in a brighter future for Sanford. I love this city, and I remain committed to working every day to make it even better for the generations that follow.

Here’s to 16 years of service and many more opportunities to give back to the city that has given so much to me.

06/10/2026

It was my pleasure to speak with the students of the Goldsboro Front Porch Council’s Y.E.L.D.A. (Youth Empowerment Leadership Development Academy) program and share insights about city government and my role as an elected official.

YELDA provides young people with leadership development, job readiness training, and real-world work experience, helping prepare them for future success. I enjoyed discussing the importance of civic engagement, public service, and the many ways our youth can make a positive impact in their community. 

Thank you to the students for your thoughtful questions and enthusiasm, and to the Goldsboro Front Porch team for investing in the next generation of leaders. The future of Sanford is bright, and I look forward to seeing all that these young people accomplish.

06/02/2026

A message from our Mayor that I believe deserves everyone’s attention.

As discussions continue in Tallahassee regarding potential changes to property taxes and how those dollars can be used, it’s important that we all understand what these proposals could mean for our city, our employees, and the services residents rely on every day.

I want to be transparent: I am still learning. I have been participating in webinars, watching presentations, reviewing materials, and having one-on-one conversations with professionals and experts to better understand the potential impacts on Sanford. This is a complex issue, and I want to make sure I have the facts before drawing conclusions.

What I do know is that decisions made at the state level could have significant implications for our community’s future. That is why I believe it is important for us to have a public Town Hall discussion that includes our city leadership team, department directors, employees, elected officials, and residents. We need an open conversation about what these proposed changes could mean for city services, public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and the future of Sanford.

I encourage everyone to take the time to learn about these proposals, ask questions, and stay engaged. The future of our city is too important for any of us to sit on the sidelines.