ED TAYLOR 

One might think that the creation of a chamber of commerce involving the name of any given municipality would require some involvement from that city itself. At a minimum it could be thought that the city endorsed the idea of the chamber and gave the idea their blessing since many people will rely on such a chamber for information regarding vacation, business and other pertinent matters relating to the city. According to Vero Beach City Attorney Wayne Coment and Florida Statute 501.973, that is simply not the case.

This issue has recently come to light when three residents of Indian River County have declared their intention to create what they call the Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce. Charlie Wilson, Mark Mucher and Dan Stump have announced the creation of this endeavor which they claim will not compete with the long-term and well established Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. Wilson has stated recently on a Vero Beach radio news magazine that this newly created chamber will not accept any funds from the government, which would exclude this chamber’s participation in Gov. Rick Scott’s recent proposed allocation of $100 million to promote Florida tourism.

City Attorney Wayne Coment has said that a chamber of commerce pertains to business rather than government since most chambers are comprised of members representing local businesses. “The creation of such a chamber does not require a blessing of the city.” Coment said.

Many people do make a connection between the city and the chamber and feel that, at least implicitly, there is a common understanding or stated goal. Based upon Florida law, that is not the case.

Florida Statutes define a chamber of commerce as the following: “Chamber of commerce” means a voluntary membership, dues-paying organization of business and professional persons dedicated, as stated in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the organization, to improving the economic climate and business development of the community, area, or region in which the organization is located and which:

1. Operates as an approved not-for-profit corporation under chapter 617 and as a corporation or association qualified for tax-exempt status under s. 501(c)(3) or s. 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2. Files any required corporation annual reports with the Secretary of State and, if applicable, required annual information returns with the United States Internal Revenue Service.

3. Is governed by a volunteer board of directors of at least seven members who are elected from among the membership of the organization and who serve without compensation.

The statute also provides that any business entity that does not comply with the requirements articulated within the law yet calls itself a chamber of commerce subjects its creators to a criminal penalty of up to one year of incarceration consistent with a first degree misdemeanor. One of the three citizens proposing the creation of this new chamber, Dan Stump, is an attorney.

Wilson said in a press release that it was time to “put Vero first”. Wilson has criticized the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce in the past for accepting and utilizing tax dollars within their operation for salaries and other internal expenditures. Wilson has promised, at least through his radio interview, that his chamber will not accept any money from the government inferring that no tax dollars will be involved in the new Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce. According to the press release, office space has been obtained and some businesses have shown an interest in membership in the new chamber. Wilson has also promised himself a salary of one dollar per year for the first three years of operation. Articles of incorporation have been filed with the Secretary of State in Tallahassee.

Of the three founding members, Wilson is the only party who has served on the Vero Beach City Council albeit for only approximately one month after it was determined by Circuit Judge Paul Kanarek that Wilson’s name was illegally on the ballot.

Many people believe that a chamber of commerce is somehow associated with the city it is designed and incorporated to promote. According to City Attorney Wayne Coment, that is not the case.

A chamber of commerce is a business,” Coment said, and added that it is a business totally independent of city government.