MARK SCHUMANN

Visitors to the Taxpayers’ Association of Indian River County website might reasonably conclude the association has the Indian River County Commission’s seal of approval, for the TPA uses the official seal of Indian River County, not only on its website, but also on a generic business card outlining its mission.

Presented with the seal of Indian River County, the TPA’s description of its role as an “ombudsman” might lead some to conclude the group is sanctioned by the County Commission.  A common definition of an ombudsman is that of a commissioner who acts as an independent referee between individual citizens and their government.

Recently, the County Commission voted 5-0 to act on a proposal by Glenn Heran, president of the Taxpayers’ Association of Indian River County, to hire a Tallahassee lobbying firm to work through the

Legislature to bring pressure to bear on the Florida Municipal Power Agency.  For the sale of Vero Electric to go forward, a deal must be reached with the FMPA that will enable the City to shed its commitments to three FMPA power projects as well as to the FMPA All Requirements Project.

In addition to committing to paying a Tallahassee lobbying firm $78,000 in the coming year, the Commission also agreed to pay travel expenses for Heran, should he need to go to Tallahassee to assist the County’s new lobbyist.