Rick Thomas
A Lifetime of Service. A Vision for Tomorrow.
Rick Thomas believes good local government starts with something simple: listen to the people you serve and make decisions with their best interests in mind.
With more than 40 years in public service, Rick has spent a lifetime leading, solving problems, managing resources, and being accountable for the decisions he makes. His experience as a Police Chief, Mayor, and Town Council Member gives him a practical understanding of how local government works and how important thoughtful leadership is when a community is growing.
Rick loves what makes Howey-in-the-Hills different. He wants to protect that. At the same time, he knows our town must plan wisely for what’s ahead.
His priorities are clear: preserve our small-town character, manage growth responsibly, spend taxpayer dollars wisely, and keep residents informed and involved.
No complicated promises. No politics for the sake of politics. Just experienced leadership, common sense, and a genuine commitment to the community Rick is proud to call home.
A Lifetime of Service. A Vision for Tomorrow.
A Lifetime of Service
“From serving Howey to helping shape its future.”
Forty years of public service experience.
Rick Thomas brings more than four decades of public service and a perspective that extends well beyond any one position or title.
For 30 years, Rick served the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills, beginning as a road patrol officer and working his way through the ranks before serving his final 10 years as Police Chief. His career gave him firsthand experience with the day-to-day operations of a growing town—from managing people and budgets to working with residents, Town leadership, and community partners.
During his years of public service, Rick also served the neighboring Town of Astatula as both a Town Council Member and Mayor. That experience broadened his perspective from carrying out the work of local government to helping set policy, establish priorities, oversee public resources, and make decisions on behalf of an entire community.
Law enforcement is an important part of Rick’s story, but it is not the whole story. His experience is ultimately about leadership, local government, fiscal responsibility, problem-solving, and service. He understands Howey from the ground up and knows that the decisions facing the Town extend far beyond public safety.
Today, Rick is ready to bring that experience to the Town Council with a broader focus: protecting Howey’s small-town character, managing growth responsibly, strengthening the Town’s financial future, and making thoughtful decisions for the community he served for 30 years and now proudly calls home.
Preserve what makes Howey special.
Howey-in-the-Hills has a character all its own. Its history, natural beauty, neighborhoods, and sense of community are worth protecting as the town evolves.
Rick believes progress should respect the qualities that brought people here in the first place. That means considering how decisions affect our community as a whole—not just today, but for the generations who will call Howey home in the future.
Protect what we love while thoughtfully planning for what comes next.
"Growing forward without losing what makes Howey feel like home."
Manage Growth Responsibly
Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings responsibility. Rick believes development should be evaluated with the long-term health of the town in mind. Roads, utilities, public safety, services, infrastructure, and the financial impact on existing residents all matter.
Growth means looking beyond the immediate project and asking an important question: Can Howey support this well for years to come? The goal isn't simply more growth or less growth. It's the right growth, in the right places, supported by responsible planning.
"Planning growth with purpose, balance, and the future in mind."
Fiscal Stewardship & Taxpayer Focus
Every dollar the Town spends belongs to the people it serves. Rick believes those dollars should be managed carefully, with clear priorities and an eye toward long-term financial stability. That means planning ahead for infrastructure and major expenses, maintaining appropriate reserves, looking for efficiencies, and distinguishing between what the Town needs and what might simply be nice to have.
Fiscal responsibility isn't about avoiding investment. It's about making the right investments at the right time and getting lasting value for taxpayers.
"The right growth, at the right place, with a plan for what comes next."
Keep Residents Informed and Involved
Listen Respectfully and Communicate Openly
Residents shouldn't have to work hard to understand what's happening in their own town. Rick believes good local government is accessible, transparent, and willing to listen. Important decisions should be communicated clearly, residents should have meaningful opportunities to share their perspectives, and questions deserve straightforward answers.
People won't always agree—and that's part of a healthy community. Rick's commitment is to listen respectfully, communicate openly, and make decisions based on what best serves Howey as a whole.
"A stronger community begins with open communication and an informed, engaged public. Residents should not have to wait for answers from leadership."