MARK SCHUMANN

Leaders in the cities of Sebastian, Fellsmere and Vero Beach appear to be considering how to fill the void created when the Indian River County Commission declined to participate in the new Indian River Lagoon Council.

Vero Beach Mayor Richard Wingers said yesterday he has been in conversation with Sebastian Mayor Richard Gillmore. Vero Beach City Manager Jim O’Connor said he has discussed the issue with Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker.

Fellsmer’s City Council is to hear a presentation from the Lagoon coalition Thursday evening a 7 p.m. O’Connor said that if cities can participate in the Lagoon program, and can play a useful role, he will invite the group to make a presentation to the Vero Beach City Council.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Saint John’s and South Florida Water Management Districts are contributing a combined $1.25 million, with each participating county contribution $50,000.  As newly organized, the group expects to be eligible for millions in Federal funding to help save the Lagoon.

“It is a shame Indian River County is not a part of it (The Indian River Lagoon Council),” Winger said, adding, “If we are not at the table we won’t get the money.”

The Lagoon Council is a coalition made up three state agencies and what was to be the county commissions of Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach.  Of the seven groups targeted to participate in the Council, only the Indian River County Commission opted out. Heeding Commissioner Bob Solari’s concerns that the new lagoon coalition does not reflect a “representative form of government,” the Indian River County Commission voted 5-0 not to participate in the regional effort to save the Lagoon.

See also:

Board restructures Indian River Lagoon program

Vero Beach should join Sebastian in seeking a seat on Indian River Lagoon Council