For more than a decade, Vice Mayor Kristin Jacobs has championed issues to improve and protect Broward County’s quality of life. She was elected in 1998 to represent the residents of District 2, and has previously served as Broward County’s Mayor in 2005 and Vice Mayor in 2004.

Whether fighting for a common sense approach to growth management planning, protecting our environment, securing fair wages for workers, or creating a public transportation system that moves people not cars, it is Broward’s homes, families and neighborhoods she is working to sustain. She has earned a well-known and respected reputation as a visionary who has consistently brought vital issues to the forefront of public attention long before they become fashionable.

Recognizing that the welfare of a community is dependent on a healthy environment, Kristin began promoting “green” environmental practices upon taking office. She soon developed and implemented nationally acclaimed and award-winning water conservation programs and in 2005, she named the year she served as Broward County Mayor the “Year of the Environment.” In 2007, she won Commission approval to create a Climate Change Task Force and continues to serve as Chair.

In 2008, Kristin was called to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives on water quality issues impacting the nation. In 2009, she traveled to Washington, DC and served as a moderator on climate change issues with key climate and energy leaders from the Obama Administration. That same year she initiated and hosted the South Florida Regional Climate Change Summit which resulted in a precedent setting regional four county compact to address the future impact of climate change in Florida, the first such agreement in the country. In 2010, Kristin appeared with U.S. Representative James Oberstar in Washington, DC to encourage Congress to pass the America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act, reaffirming our ability to protect our nation’s waters.

Last year, Kristin was selected to serve as Chair of the White House National Ocean Council’s Governance Coordinating Committee, which advises President Obama on local government perspectives on ocean policy. She has been a long-time advocate of public transportation, light rail development, green buildings and greenways, sustainable growth and eco-tourism. She is recognized as the creator of Broward’s Greenways & Trails System which encompasses 210 miles of pathways connecting parks, neighborhoods, schools and cultural centers.

Kristin’s passion for the environment is matched by her compassion for all people working to support themselves and their families as they strive to achieve the American Dream. At her urging, the Broward Commission approved a Living Wage Ordinance in 2002, which guarantees a decent salary for county government employees and those doing work under government contracts. She has supported affordable housing initiatives, governed over multi-million dollar neighborhood improvement projects and championed equality and human rights issues such as Broward County’s Human Rights ordinance, which was approved in 2008.

Kristin lives with her husband Stuart in the Old Pompano neighborhood of Pompano Beach. She is the proud mother of three children and has two grandchildren.

Kristin's efforts to re-shape our community include service on the following:

• National Ocean Council Governance Coordinating Committee - Chair
• South Florida Regional Transportation Authority - Chair
• Climate Change Task Force – Chair
• Water Resource Task Force - Vice Chair
• Water Resource Advisory Committee, South Florida Water Management District
• Florida Association of Counties – Large Urban Caucus Co-Chair
• Climate Communities
• South Florida Regional Planning Council – Chair 2001
• Florida Regional Council’s Association
• Broward League of Cities, Director
• Metropolitan Planning Organization
• Water Advisory Board
• Resource Recovery Board
• Community Bus Application & Evaluation Committee - Chair
• Homeless Initiative Partnership
• EV (Electric Vehicle) Ready Broward
• Broward League of Women Voters
• Broward Urban River Trails
• Women In Distress, Board of Directors
• Florida’s Leadership for America’s Children and Families, Honorary Director Pompano Proud
• Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, Director
• Greater Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Deerfield Beach Historical Society - Director
• Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber - Uptown Business Council, Director
• Coconut Creek Democratic Club
• Deerfield Beach Democratic Club
• Margate Democratic Club
• North Broward Democratic Club – Life Member
• Sample-McDougald House Preservation Society
• PTA - Pompano Beach Elementary, Pompano Beach High

Kristin's awards & achievements include:

• 2009 Florida Association of Counties Presidential Advocacy Award
• 2009 ArtServe Government Leadership Award 
• 2007 James D. Webb Public Service Award - Everglades Coalition 
• 2007 Achievement Award - Community Coalition for a Living Wage 
• 2006 Champion of the Environment Award - Broward County Audubon Society
• 2006 Exceptional Women of 2005 Honoree - Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward
• 2005 Non-Profit Spokesperson of the Year for Print and/or Web - PR News
• 2005 Jefferson Award for Public Service/Certificate of Excellence from the American Institute for Public Service
• 2005 Commissioner Leadership Award, Florida Local Environmental Resource Agencies 
• 2005 Women of Distinction, March of Dimes 
• 2005 Honoree, Women in Distress
• 2005 Women's Hall of Fame, Broward County Commission on the Status of Women 
• 2004 Elected Official of the Year, National Association of Social Workers, Broward Unit
• 2003 Eagle Award, Broward County Audubon Society
• 2003 Feminist of the Year, Broward Chapter National Organization for Women
• 2003 Eco Awards -Al Gore Award – City Link
• 2003 Woman of the Year - Democratic Women’s Clubs of Northeast Broward
• 2003 Humanitarian of the Year – Soref Jewish Community Center
• 2002 Heart Award -Elected Official of the Year - Children’s’ Consortium
• 2002 Elected Official of the Year - Cresthaven Civic Association
• 2002 Environmentalist of the Year - Broward Young Democrats
• 2002 Elected Official of the Year - Broward Housing & Community Development Task Force
• 2001 Best Governmental Official - Reader’s Choice - City Link Magazine
• 2001 Environmental Professional of the Year , Southeast Florida Society of Energy Engineers
• 2001 REALTOR Appreciation Award, REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale
• 2000 Woman Who Leads With Her Heart, Friends of OUR House
• 2000 Government Official of the Year, Broward Coalition for the Homeless
• 2000 Most Eco-friendly Government Official in Broward, City Link Magazine
• 1999 Trailblazer of the Year, Broward Young Democrats
• 1999 Paul Harris Fellow, The Rotary International - Davie Chapter
• 1999 First Lady of Broward, Broward County Fair Association
• 1999 Woman of the Year, American Jewish Congress - Southeast Region
• 1999 Best Local Government Official in Broward County, New Times Magazine 

Last Updated: 2012