Meet John Taylor
Democrat for Florida House District 109
Mayor John H. Taylor, Jr. is a lifelong resident of Opa-locka and a proud product of its schools, churches, and neighborhoods.
The seventh of eight children, Taylor grew up in a deeply faith-rooted household where service to others was not just encouraged—it was a way of life. His parents, both active in civic affairs and church leadership, instilled in him the values of generosity, mentorship, and community responsibility from an early age.
Taylor attended Opa-locka Elementary School and Florida International Academy Charter School before graduating from Hialeah-Miami Lakes High School. He went on to earn his degree in Criminal Justice from Miami Dade College. Professionally, Taylor has served for over seven years as a Health Inspector for the State of Florida, a role that deepened his understanding of public health, regulatory compliance, and the everyday challenges facing working families in underserved communities.
Taylor’s path to public office was a natural extension of a life spent giving back. First elected as a City Commissioner in November 2020, he quickly earned the respect of his colleagues and was appointed Vice Mayor in 2021. In 2022, the residents of Opa-locka elevated him to the office of Mayor—a role he has embraced with energy, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people he serves. His leadership philosophy is rooted in walking side by side with his community, not leading from above, but pushing forward together. Now, John is running for Florida House District 109 as a Democrat, bringing the same philosophy he has always led with: walking side by side with his community, not from above, but pushing forward together.
Mayor Taylor is a devoted husband and father. He and his wife, Monica, have been married for over a decade and are raising their daughter, Jordyn, in the community they love. As both a parent and a public servant, his priorities are grounded in building a safer, stronger, and more hopeful community for the next generation.
For John Taylor, public service means pouring into people — helping a neighbor, mentoring a young person, or delivering a Thanksgiving turkey to a resident who can’t leave home. His vision extends beyond Opa-locka: he believes every community in District 109 deserves the same investment, accountability, and care. John is ready to take that fight to Tallahassee.
A Record of Results
Improving Our Parks
- Improved Sherbondy Park, including rehabilitated basketball courts, a new playground, additional parking, and a new Fitness Center
- Rehabilitated basketball courts at Ingram Park
- Installed new walking trails and increased parking at Segal Park
Strengthening Our Infrastructure
- Delivered the rehabilitation of Historic City Hall—a Moorish Revival landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, restored after nearly 20 years of disrepair
- Launched the rehabilitation of Cairo Lane, set to be completed by end of year
- Restored Sesame Street Bridge
- Partnered with Tri-Rail to completely restore current railroad track crossings
- Installed four-way stop signs in high-traffic areas
- Installed new gateway signs throughout the city
- Resurfaced Ali Baba Avenue
- Resurfaced and added drainage on 127th Street
- Improved drainage in Glorieta Gardens to mitigate flooding
- Supported sidewalk improvements and additions
- Supported canal cleanup and maintenance
Community Service & Economic Development
- Created the Human Services Department to address the needs of Opa-locka as a food desert, including regular food drives, an in-office food pantry, and assistance programs for residents
- Created the HOPE Fund—helping families in need pay mortgage, rent, and utility bills
- Relaunched the Opa-locka Chamber of Commerce, creating a unified platform for business owners to connect, collaborate, and advocate for economic growth
- Rehabilitated businesses through commercial revitalization projects in the CRA
- Expanded the Business Façade Improvement Program to include the entire city
- Launched a youth summer job program
- Supported scholarships for high school seniors
- Acquired over $6 million in real estate through the CRA, giving the city a direct stake in community-driven redevelopment
- Revived the Arabian Nights Festival in May, reconnecting the community with its unique heritage
- Organized community-driven events including Thanksgiving turkey drives with personal home delivery to homebound residents, foster care toy drives, annual toy drives, free aerobics classes in city parks, and partnerships with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector’s office to bring driver’s license services directly to Opa-locka residents
Expanded Public Transit Options
- Introduced Freebee, a free on-demand ride service, addressing critical transportation gaps and ensuring seniors, students, and residents without vehicles can access essential services
Finance & Financial Oversight
- Decreased the millage rate to 8.97, providing meaningful property tax relief to residents
- Reduced city debt significantly
- Paid off bonds and paid off the Municipal Complex building
- Cured all 99 findings from the State of Florida audit
- Submitted all audits on time—achieving clean audits for multiple consecutive years after years of delinquent filings, a first in over a decade
- Brought the Finance Department back in-house, hiring a Finance Director and Procurement Officer
- Launched comprehensive digitization of city operations, starting with the Finance Department through Tyler Technology
Expanding Affordable Housing
- Attracted two new housing developments totaling over 200 residential units
- Created the Housing Task Force to promote quality of life and living
- Rehabilitated homes in the CRA
- Expanded the Home Rehabilitation Program to include the entire city
Public Safety
- Installed red light cameras in school zones to address chronic speeding and protect children
- Completed the build-out of a new modernized police station
- Established an illegal dumping task force and added cameras in hotspot areas to combat the issue
- Deployed ShotSpotter technology
- Launched the Explorer Program for youth
- Created a scholarship program for police officers to attend the police academy
Communication
- Launched Text My Gov, enhancing direct communication between the city and its residents