The official motto of the United Sates is “e pluribus unum” – “out of many, one.” It’s also now the official goal of the city commission when it comes to the city’s multiple zip codes.

At their meeting June 27, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to petition the federal government to combine the city’s four zip codes [33305, 33306, 33311, and 33334] into one – 33305.

The commission acted after members of the Westside Association of Wilton Manors [WAWM] failed in their own petition of the government and came to the commission to enlist the city’s help. “They said ‘work with your city’ so that’s what we did,” said Sal Torre, president of WAWM.

Torre, other residents, and commissioners said having multiple zip codes is confusing and that having just one is a matter of city identity.

“It’s about time,” said Commissioner Tom Green. Mayor Gary Resnick said that residents in his neighborhood were proud of the history of leaders who came from their zip code, 33331, but that they were willing to give it up to be under one zip code with the rest of the city.

Resnick also said that it’s not fair that some residents pay more for car insurance just because they live in a different zip code. According to CarInsurance.com, the average six-month cost for car insurance in the zip codes east of Andrews Avenue – 33305, 33306, and 33334 – is between $1,633 and $1,683. West of Andrews Avenue – 33311 – the cost is $1,833.

The desire by some residents and officials to have one zip code is something that Resnick and Commissioner Scott Newton said stretched all the way back to at least the 1990s when the late E. Clay Shaw represented the city in Congress.

Resnick and Newton praised Shaw, saying he was able to get a lot of things done for the city, including putting the city’s name on the I-95 exit sign at Oakland Park Boulevard. But the zip code change eluded him.

But now, commissioners are a little more confident. Newton compared the issue to the Florida Department of Transportation being previously against reducing the number of lanes on Wilton Drive but now being for it. “They wouldn’t event talk to us about Wilton Drive, but they’ve softened up.” Now, he thinks the United States Postal Service might be more inclined.

“If the resolution is approved, the City will initiate the process with the Postal Service. If the USPS finds the request feasible, a boundary review process would be initiated, which would include a formal survey of all customers impacted by the proposed change,” wrote Pamela Landi, assistant city manager. “It’s at least a two-year process,” said Vice Mayor Justin Flippen. “There will be enough time to adjust.”