Homestead Swears In New Councilwoman

HOMESTEAD, FL — Erica G. Ávila was sworn in as the newest Homestead councilwoman Thursday after being appointed to fill a vacancy.

Ávila was sworn in by her husband Arnold Andew Perez. She takes over Council Seat 5 until the city's next regularly scheduled election in November 2021.

"Previous to her appointment, Councilwoman Ávila was known as an active member of the Homestead community, immediate past president of the Homestead Kiwanis and a mortgage services professional," city spokesman Zackery Good explained.

Good said new council members are given the option of selecting the person who administers the oath of office.

"Some members in the past have chosen a judge, or having the city clerk do it," Good said. "It's fairly common that they'll have a family member — a parent or a spouse — do the swearing in."

Ávila replaces Elvis Maldonado who resigned in November to seek a seat on the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners. Seat 5 is primarily made up of residents from the Waterstone development.