TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Treasure Island’s mayor has resigned after his home was “damaged beyond repair” in hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Mayor Tyler Payne said the damage to his home means that he and his husband will be relocating off the island, he announced in a Facebook post .
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“The last three and a half years have been the greatest honor of my life representing the residents of Treasure Island,” Payne wrote. “While it pains my heart to make this decision in the midst of our recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, this is the best decision for me and my family.”
Payne said he has a family business that is in a critical growth phase and requires his full attention.
“Just like the majority of our residents, our home and my parents’ home (my childhood home) both on Paradise Island were completely flooded and damaged beyond repair,” he said. “While my parents will rebuild and we will fortunately continue to have those roots in Treasure Island, my husband and I cannot afford to do the same. That being said, I completely empathize with the difficult decisions that are facing so many of our residents. We aren’t moving far and I intend to remain an active part of the Treasure Island community that I love so much.”