Treasure Island mayor resigns due to hurricane impacts

Mayor Tyler Payne stunned the City of Treasure Island by announcing his immediate resignation Monday afternoon in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

In a letter posted to social media, Payne said the decision came with a “very heavy heart.” Like many constituents, he and his husband will relocate off the island.

“Just like the majority of our residents, our home and my parents’ home (my childhood home) both on Paradise Island were completely flooded and damaged beyond repair,” Payne wrote. “While my parents will rebuild and we will fortunately continue to have those roots in Treasure Island, my husband and I cannot afford to do the same.”

The Catalyst was unable to reach Payne for comment.

Payne was elected to the city commission in 2018 and reelected in 2020. He won the mayoral race in March 2021 and nearly completed a three-year term.

Payne continued to serve on the four-member city commission as mayor. “The last three and a half years have been the greatest honor of my life,” he said.

Helene’s storm surge inundated Treasure Island, burying homes, businesses and vehicles in beach sand. The coastal community also endured extensive power, water and sewer outages. Milton subsequently exacerbated damages and impeded recovery efforts.

“While it pains my heart to make this decision in the midst of our recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, this is the best decision for me and my family,” Payne wrote. “As we recover from these storms, it is going to be critical for the mayor to dedicate a significant amount of time to lead our community through the process.

“At this point in my professional and personal life, I unfortunately do not have the necessary bandwidth to fulfill that need.”

Homes and businesses along Pinellas County’s beaches received extensive damage during Hurricanes Helene (pictured) and Milton.

According to his city biography, Payne is a licensed attorney and executive vice president of Icarelabs, a St. Petersburg-based optical products manufacturer that employs over 100 people. His grandfather launched the family business in 1968.

Payne’s non-governmental responsibilities factored into his decision to step down. He noted the company is undergoing a “critical growth phase” that requires his “full effort and attention.”

The mayor stressed he empathized with constituents who face similar decisions after back-to-back storms. Thousands of residents throughout Pinellas County’s low-lying neighborhoods must either pay to rebuild according to new flood and wind regulations or move.

Payne, a 2008 St. Petersburg High School graduate, said he would remain close to Treasure Island and active in the community. He also expressed confidence in Vice Mayor John Doctor’s ability to “step into my role and serve the residents with the highest level of passion and distinction.”

Mayor Tyler Payne (right) with a Florida Army National Guard member.

Since becoming mayor, Payne has participated in annual “State of the Beaches” town hall meetings that often focused on climate impacts. In 2023, Treasure Island received a LEED for Cities Gold certification – a rating from the U.S. Green Building Council that recognizes environmental sustainability efforts – for its renovated City Hall. The building reopened in March after an $11 million project.

At a May 2023 Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council leadership summit, Payne said quaint motels opened on the island in the 1970s “look really cool” but “flat-out” lacked resilient infrastructure. He supported new developments built to withstand major storms with better transportation options to accommodate increased traffic.

The Florida League of Cities recognized Payne as a 2023 Home Rule Hero for his advocacy efforts throughout the spring legislative session. Home rule is the ability to address local issues with minimal state regulation or interference.

Nearly all of the comments that followed Payne’s announcement Monday were positive, with several residents expressing appreciation for his honesty. “I’m sure you are not alone in not being able to afford to rebuild,” wrote Wendy Roll. “Good luck to you and your family.”