Current & Previous Experience
Councilman Stephen Shelley was elected in 2009 to represent Council Seat #1, the city's northwest area. Prior to running for City Council, Councilman Shelley was a member of the City of Homestead's Planning and Zoning Board. He was appointed as a board member in 2005 and, in 2009, was promoted to vice chairman of the city's Planning and Zoning Board.

Community Involvement
Councilman Shelley donates his time to numerous community activities, associations and nonprofit organizations. Councilman Shelley sits on the board of directors and is the treasurer of the Youth Fishing Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) organization. He is also the chairman of the St. Johns School Board; a member of the Rotary Club of Homestead; a member of the Military Affairs Committee; and sits on the board of directors of The Everglades Association, the official nonprofit arm of the National Park Service for Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve and Dry Tortugas National Park. Additionally, Councilman Shelley is also a member of the Homestead / Florida City Chamber of Commerce, in addition to donating his time and pro bono legal services to other nonprofits throughout Homestead and South Dade.

In 2012, Councilman Shelley spearheaded and implemented the First Annual Military Appreciation Day in Downtown Homestead. The Military Appreciation Day will be held annually to honor the service and sacrifices made by our local military men and women throughout the world.


Fishing Tournament
From 2007 to 2010, Councilman Shelley also sat on the board for the annual City of Miami Fishing Tournament, with the proceeds benefiting children in Miami and South Dade. In 2009, Councilman Shelley created and implemented a youth scholarship program for college-bound students, giving away five $1,000 scholarships annually, with funds coming from the fishing tournament.

Current Appointments to Boards & Committees
Councilman Shelley is the council’s liaison to Art South, the Historic Preservation Board, Main Street and the Homestead Miami Speedway. He also chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chairs the New Elected Officials Pension Board.   

Biographical Information

Councilman Shelley has been a resident of Homestead since 2004. He was born in Athens, Ga., but spent most of his youth on the west coast of Florida, growing up in Largo. Councilman Shelley married his wife, Jenn, in October 2009, and they soon hope to raise a family in the City of Homestead. He is also an avid outdoorsman who loves to fish, camp and photograph nature. In August 2006, Councilman Shelley opened his own law practice in Downtown Homestead, the Law Office of Stephen R. Shelley, PLLC. In January 2012, Councilman Shelley started his own photography business in Homestead, Stephen Shelley Photography, focusing on Everglades National Park, Florida Keys, Big Cypress National Preserve and South Florida fine art photography. In 2011, Councilman Shelley was named one of the “40 under 40” attorneys in Miami-Dade County by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was honored at their annual black-tie gala in Coral Gables.

Education
Councilman Shelley obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from the University of Florida and a law degree from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, completing his last year of legal studies at the University of Miami.

Councilman Shelley is also a graduate of the Good Government Initiative Class of 2012, the Florida League of Cities Institute for Elected Municipal Officials and the Florida League of Cities Advanced Institute for Elected Municipal Officials.

Other Elected Officials
View other details on the public elected officials serving the City of Homestead.