Melissa Castro was elected as a Coral Gables City Commissioner in April 2023, bringing expertise in business operations, behavioral analysis, and organizational strategy to city governance. She is committed to transparency, efficiency, and ensuring residents have a direct voice in shaping the city’s future.

A graduate of Florida International University, Commissioner Castro holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialization in applied behavior analysis and a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology. She brings this expertise directly into city governance, applying organizational and behavioral strategies to deliver resident-focused results. Her approach has guided initiatives to strengthen public safety through the hiring and retention of police and fire personnel, improve the quality and efficiency of city services, and safeguard taxpayer dollars.

As the owner of M.E.D. Expeditors, a successful permit expediting firm, she gained firsthand experience navigating government processes. This perspective has guided her work to streamline permitting, improve services, and advance resident-focused policies.

Since taking office, Commissioner Castro has strengthened public engagement by adding new communication requirements to the zoning code, launching “Tuesdays with Melissa,” and holding the city’s only town halls on the millage rate and taxes. She continues to champion fiscal transparency, protecting taxpayer dollars while delivering initiatives such as the resident parking rate discount and improvements in core services.

Commissioner Castro has been appointed to serve on several Florida League of Cities (FLC) committees. She was appointed to the FLC’s 2024–25 Legislative Policy Committee and serves as vice chair of the League’s Development, Code Compliance and Redevelopment Committee, giving Coral Gables a voice at the state level on growth, governance and accountability. She was also appointed to the FLC’s 2025–26 Advocacy Committee, which is responsible for building support among members by serving as legislative key contacts and developing strategies that strengthen the organization’s collective voice with state policymakers, and she serves on the FLC’s 2025–26 Federal Action Strike Team, also known as FAST, which actively engages with Florida’s U.S. senators and members of Congress to build relationships, foster collaboration and help shape federal municipal policy. 

She is also recognized for her defense of democracy and the Constitution, securing a victory that restored residents’ right to vote on election changes.  

A proud Coral Gables resident and mother of two, Commissioner Castro remains dedicated to preserving the city’s charm while promoting smart, sustainable progress.

Commissioner Castro's Presentations and Memos 

2025    

• Memo - Highlights from the First FLC Development-Code Compliance-Redevelopment Committee [PDF]
• Presentation - Millage Rate 2025 [PDF]
• Memo - Legal Opinion on the Unlawful Change of City Election Date [PDF]
• Memo -Urgent-Request for Special Commission Meeting to Address Unconstitutional Election Rescheduling [PDF]
• Memo – Litigation Costs and Fiscal Responsibility Following Recent Resolution [PDF]
• Item F5 Presentation - Deciding the elections - July 1 [PDF]
• Memo - Resident Feedback on Development Density and Oversight [PDF]
• Expedited Permit Presentation [PDF]
• Memo - Summary of Meeting with Florida Bankers Association [PDF]
• Memo - Request for Reconsideration of the Appointment of Ben Alvarez [PDF]
• Hiring a City Manager [PDF]

2024

• Millage Rate & Service Reductions [PDF]

Connect with Commissioner Castro

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