ORANGE CITY, Fla. — For the first time in Orange City’s history, a woman is serving as mayor.

In January, Orange City honored Mayor Kelli Marks, who was sworn into office in November 2024, with a proclamation celebrating her. 

What You Need To Know

  • A woman is serving as mayor for the first time in Orange City’s history
  • Mayor Kelli Marks was sworn into office in November 2024
  • In her new role, Mayor Marks is focusing on addressing flooding concerns

Marks, who is the former Orange City District Four council member, brings six years of experience to the table.

She says she enjoys serving a community she loves. 

“I’ve been on the council for six years, and it was something,” she said. “I’ve never been involved in politics. You know, I just got inspired by wanting to make a change and here I am, right?”

Marks said being mayor is a dream come true — she’s wanted the job ever since she was a kid. 

“When I moved to the west side of Orange City, I saw the possibilities,” Marks said. 

She said she’s hopeful that being elected as the city’s first female mayor will encourage other women in the city to get involved in politics.

“Being the first woman mayor, it inspires other women that they can be a political figure and move up as high as you want to go,” Marks said. 

In her new role, Marks said she is focusing on an issue Volusia County residents know well: flooding. 

As cleanup efforts continue, Marks said she is trying to keep her eye on potential solutions. 

She’s also working toward an initiative called Citizens Academy, which has a goal of getting residents involved in Orange City government so they can learn how it works.

“I just want to make the citizens feel that this is their city, and we all work together,” Marks said. “It’s not us against them.”

Throughout everything, Marks is keeping her positive attitude. 

“I think we have a lot of great things going forward, from the higher level to the lower level here of local cities,” she said.

Marks said that following Hurricane Milton, members of the Orange City council are working to make sure they are communicating with residents effectively. 

She said the City Council voted to bring forward a communications platform through text messages on emergency operations — so, if there’s a road closure, water quality issues, or any other announcement, residents will get a text. 

The City Council is still discussing the process.