The City Commission of the City of West Miami appointed Gustavo Ceballos to the vacant commission seat left by Vice Mayor Natalie Milian Orbis during a special meeting on May 8, 2025, voting 4-0.

The appointment fills a vacancy created when the former vice mayor won election to the county commission, the mayor said. Commissioners praised Ceballos’ legal background, local ties and civic work during brief remarks before the vote.

Mayor Eric Diaz Padron introduced the item, noting the vacancy created by the vice mayor’s election to the county commission and saying the commission has traditionally made appointments rather than holding a special election. The mayor described Ceballos as the chairman of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, an attorney who studied at FIU and St. Thomas University, and an assistant city attorney and city prosecutor in Coral Gables with prior city-attorney experience in Fort Lauderdale and private-practice experience at Greenberg Shorog. Commissioners said he has lived in the city more than a decade and is raising a family in West Miami.

Commissioners Luciano Suarez, Juan Blanis and Ivan Chavez Jr. each voiced support for the nominee before a motion was made and seconded. The commission called the roll and voted yes unanimously; the clerk was asked to prepare appointment paperwork and arrange an oath of office.

Commissioner Gustavo Ceballos, after the vote, thanked the mayor, commissioners and staff and said he was “very nervous” but grateful for the support. The commission agreed to defer a formal swearing-in and ceremonial remarks to a later meeting when documents could be prepared.

No public comments on the item were recorded during the public-comment portion referenced on the agenda. The appointment was the primary action taken under the agenda item addressing filling the vacancy and related procedural matters.