Doral council appoints Mercedes Sardinas as city manager; swearing-in held Jan. 23

Mercedes Sardinas was appointed city manager of the City of Doral by unanimous vote at a special City Council meeting on Dec. 26, 2024, and was sworn in at a public ceremony Jan. 23 at the Doral Council Chambers.

The appointment gives Doral a new lead administrator during a period of continued growth; Sardinas brings more than 25 years of experience in public administration and government affairs, according to remarks during the ceremony.

At the Dec. 26 meeting the council approved Sardinas’ appointment with unanimous support from the mayor and council; the transcript does not list individual votes or the names of a motion’s mover and seconder. A spokesperson at the swearing-in said the city looks forward to Sardinas working with staff to "improve services and enhance the quality of life for our residents."

A colleague who addressed the gathering recalled working with Sardinas since 2014 and credited her with assisting in programs and initiatives ranging from senior tax exemption work to organizing computer donations for schools and early planning for a municipal swimming pool. In the transcript that speaker said, "I've had the privilege of knowing Seyda since 2014, when she first joined my office as my legislative analyst. From day 1, she impressed me with her professionalism, intellect, and unwavering determination." That speaker was not identified by name in the transcript.

Sardinas spoke at the ceremony and thanked the council and the community. "I feel honored to have worked alongside so many of you to serve the public," she said, adding the moment was "deeply meaningful" and noting her family made Doral their home more than 26 years ago. The transcript indicates she has served the city for five of the last 11 years.

The city described the appointment and the swearing-in as the start of "a new chapter of leadership." The ceremony and remarks were recorded as part of the council's public materials; the transcript provided did not specify details such as an employment contract, salary, or an effective employment date beyond the Dec. 26 approval and the Jan. 23 swearing-in.

Because the transcript does not include the full roll-call tally or the names of council members who moved or seconded the motion, the article notes only the council's unanimous approval as recorded in the meeting summary.

City officials did not provide additional implementation details in the transcript about immediate priorities or an administrative transition timeline.