KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially suspended Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa from office following her October 21 arrest on felony charges, with Vice Mayor Angela Eady assuming the role of mayor under the Kissimmee City Charter. Eady will serve as mayor until Espinosa’s suspension is revoked or the current mayoral term ends, whichever comes first.
The suspension, issued Friday, October 30, through Executive Order 26-226, prohibits Espinosa from performing official duties or receiving compensation while the order remains in effect. The City of Kissimmee confirmed the leadership transition, emphasizing that municipal operations and services will continue without interruption.
Suspension Follows FDLE Criminal Investigation
Espinosa was arrested October 21 following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). She faces charges of second-degree felony grand theft and first-degree felony organized scheme to defraud.
The investigation centers on allegations involving Kissimmee’s Business Boost 2.0 program, an economic development initiative designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local businesses.
Authorities allege that grant funding was improperly distributed to businesses connected to Espinosa and members of her family. The criminal case remains ongoing, and Espinosa is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The governor’s executive order suspends Espinosa from her elected position but does not constitute a criminal conviction or permanently remove her from office.
Eady’s Transition Creates Temporary Commission Vacancy
Under Section 25 of the Kissimmee City Charter, Eady’s assumption of the mayor’s office creates a temporary vacancy in City Commission Seat 2, which she currently holds.
The remaining members of the City Commission are now responsible for appointing a qualified individual to fill that seat through a majority vote of all remaining commissioners.
The appointed individual would serve as a city commissioner, not as vice mayor, until Eady returns to her original seat.
If the Commission does not make an appointment, the City Charter provides for a special election to fill the vacancy.
City officials have not yet announced a timeline for the appointment process, related public meetings, or any potential special election.
City Services Will Continue Without Interruption
Despite the change in elected leadership, Kissimmee officials reassured residents and businesses that city operations will continue as normal.
Kissimmee operates under a commission-manager form of government, with the city manager responsible for overseeing daily municipal operations, city departments, and more than 900 employees.
The suspension of Espinosa and Eady’s transition into the mayor’s office do not change that administrative structure, and residents can continue accessing city services and contacting departments as usual.
The city said additional information about the Commission appointment process and any required election will be shared as details are confirmed.
Residents can follow upcoming meetings and official announcements at kissimmee.gov/publicmeetings.
Positively Osceola will continue following developments surrounding the suspension, the criminal investigation, and the leadership transition at Kissimmee City Hall.
