Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Sarah Malega Resigns to Lead the Palm Beach County League of Cities; Successor Vote Set for Nov. 9

Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Sarah Malega has resigned from her elected position to become executive director of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, the Palm Beach Post reported. Malega submitted her letter of resignation at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday to City Manager Troy Perry, and less than an hour later she was introduced at a League of Cities meeting as the nonprofit's new director. The league's rules require an elected official who accepts the job to resign the elected post.

"This is a bittersweet moment for me, as my passion for our city and its success is always at the forefront," Malega wrote in her letter, as published by the Lake Worth Beach Independent, adding that she had been offered a position she believed would benefit not just Lake Worth Beach but all cities, towns and villages in Palm Beach County. Malega, who represents District 1 covering much of the city's southwest section, was first elected in March 2021 and won reelection in March 2024. In February she had already announced she would not seek another commission term.

The vacancy now moves on a tight clock. Mayor Betty Resch has called a special meeting for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, to discuss the vacancy, and immediately after that meeting the city will accept applications from District 1 residents interested in serving the rest of Malega's term, the Independent reported. The application deadline is 3 p.m. Nov. 5, and the remaining four commissioners are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Nov. 9 to vote on an appointment, which requires a majority.