FELLSMERE – Four of the counties five mayors came together in Fellsmere Thursday morning for a discussion about the economy, business potential, and getting the public more involved. They plan to meet again in April in Sebastian to share specific data about each city and town and formulate a strategy to market the area.
Indian River Shores Mayor Bill Kenyon said during the informal, public meeting that the problem they need to stand guard against is them thinking of only their community.
“People get very protective of their own interests,” he said, and tend to focus solely on their own needs. “We can’t think that way,” Orchid Mayor Richard Dunlop.
It’s for that reason Vero Beach Mayor Kevin Sawnick suggested the mayors’ meetings. They discussed the upcoming tax abatement referendum Vero Beach, Fellsmere and the county plans to have on their respective ballots this November. Sebastian’s voters approved its referendum last November.
They also talked about ways to promote their cities and towns and help attract new businesses to the area.
“We’re turning out all these kids that want to stay here,” Kenyon said, adding that they cannot stay because there are no jobs for them.
The mayors have been tasked with researching their individual municipalities – the types of businesses that are there, the amount of space available, the demographics and other such data. When they meet again in April, they are expected to discuss what their industry focus could be.
At that time, they can also begin work on a marketing plan that fits with what the county has already worked on and the two chambers of commerce, Sebastian River Area Chamber and the Indian River County Chamber.
“It’s going to take effort,” Dunlop said, noting that there are residents in both Orchid and Indian River Shores who, though retired, might still have connections in various industries they could send the marketing materials to.
“That’s what you guys bring to the table, which is great,” Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams said.
Along with trying to hash out a game plan for attracting businesses to Indian River County, the mayors also discussed ways to get the public more involved, including young people.
Adams said that Fellsmere’s City Council has gone to Fellsmere Elementary to talk about the city’s history and government functions as a way to educate the young about civics.
Sawnick said when he joined the Vero Beach City Council he knew he wanted to get people involved, explaining that it is always the same 10 or so people who address the council at meetings.
He said the city is also working on an internship program with area colleges to get students to work for a time at City Hall and get first-hand government experience.
Adams said that the municipalities’ initiatives could be shared and they could build off each other.
The next Indian River County Mayors’ Meeting will be held at Sebastian City Hall on April 6 at 2 p.m.
