Don D’Arminio is seen everywhere. Ribbon cuttings, neighborhood socials, out with friends, and, of course, sitting on the dais in the Wilton Manors city commission chamber. Much of his work there is unseen, but is felt throughout the city. Now he is running for a second term.

Commissioner D’Arminio sat down with The Gazette and reviewed his first term and laid out his goals for a second. 

Much continues to be made of the lack of significant development in the city, but D’Arminio says he has helped set the table. During his first term and his time on Planning and Zoning, he takes credit for leading the charge to revamp city codes on myriad topics including building heights, density, parking requirements and more. It may sound dull and tedious, but it is important. 

“I’m incredibly happy with the progress the city has made over the past four years. We didn’t have any site plans, now we have several of them.” 

The old church lot at 15th/16th Ave. and 26th St. is under construction and will have 50 townhomes that will start at just under $1 million each and townhomes on 9th Ave. are also underway. 

Plans for a multi-building project at Alibi Plaza are in the works. A hotel on Dixie and Five Points has been approved for years but no work has begun. D’Arminio says owners believe it’s still on track and points to tariffs driving the price of construction materials sky high as a major hurdle to any construction. 

Another spot in desperate need of development is Andrews Avenue, or The Ave. The stretch through the city is getting a refresh with wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings, paid for by a county surtax and not from city funds. A mixed use project of 55 apartments is coming.  

“I think we have some good things happening for Andrews.” 

He also is open to allowing smaller units. Right now 600 sq ft is the minimum for new apartments/condos. Developers are pushing for a lower minimum and D’Arminio thinks that would be a win-win; allowing builders to get more inventory and giving young people and seniors options.  

“I think it would be beneficial to residents.” 

A very visible problem in the city is waste water overflowing into the streets during rainy season. The city is installing backflow valves to prevent king tide flooding. He touts a $1 million dollar federal grant being used to help pay for the project.  

“That will help flooding throughout the city.” 

City staff from parks department to public works to administration (but excluding police and public safety) has been cut every year, and he believes there are more jobs that could be eliminated. 

“During [the city’s] last goals and objectives session, we reiterated the need to continue staff reductions. We need to find ways to work smarter and more efficiently. Everyone wants to see their taxes reduced and the only way to do that is through staff.” 

D’Arminio said he would defer to City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson to identify positions and said it would happen through attrition, not filling vacant positions, rather than layoffs. 

He’s laying out his case for another four years.  

“I think that our city is on the right track. We are always modifying our city code and we need to continue to do that.” 

Much of his vision is a continuation of what he’s started. Infrastructure to control stormwater and wastewater. Development ideas include demolishing obsolete buildings along the city’s busiest stretches, specifically along Andrews Ave.  

“We need to continue to modify our code to redevelop those.” 

D’Arminio also supports maintaining WMPD as an independent police agency. This year the city will work on a new three-year contract with the department. 

He believes these will strengthen sustainability in Wilton Manors, and his 25-year career as an accountant is a positive for the city. 

But beyond the numbers and bottom lines, D’Arminio believes his connection to the people of Wilton Manors matters most. 

“I have residents reach out to me every single day. Either to resolve an issue or for coffee or they have a question or an issue. I’ve built relationships with our residents and I think they’ve come to rely on me.” 

He, along with his partner Marc Martorana, have lived here 18 years. They’ve worked with, contributed, and even opened their home to many organizations for events.  

D’Arminio served on the steering committee for the Equality Florida Annual Gala for several years. He has been voted OutSFL’s Peoples Choice Awards Best Local LGBTQ Activist in 2024 and 2025, and Best Politician on Wilton Manors City Commission in 2023, 2024 and 2025.