Name: Tim Zorc
Age: 51
Party: Republican
Contact Info: Laura Zorc 772.643.5700 lauradzorc@aol.com
How long living in Indian River County: Entire Life
Place of Birth: Vero Beach
Occupation: Consultant
Family: Married to Laura Zorc 9-years, 4 –Children and 1-Grandaughter. Breanna 20, Nicholas 8, Abby 6, Chandler 3 and Granddaughter Alyah 15-Months.
Please list Civic and Volunteer Leadership Experience including title & position and Organization including dates and locations.
Volunteer, Offices and Chairs Held
- 16 year-volunteer with the Indian River County Volunteer EMS 1978-1994
- Volunteer Vero Beach Fire Department 1980-1985
- Co-Founder Christian Family Builders an Adoption, Foster Care & Orphan Care non- profit. 2007-current
- Hospice House volunteer with Abby 2011-current
National Association of Home Builders – Washington DC
- Life Director 1988-current
- Leadership & Spokesman Training Chicago, Illinois 1994
- Member Legislative Affairs, Washington DC 1995-2000
- Congressional and Senate Contact Member, 1995-2005
- Trustee Build PAC, 2002-2005
- Member Endangered Species Act Working Group, 1996-2000
- Chairman ESA Working Group, 1998-2000
Van Ness Feldman PC – Endangered Species Reform Coalition – Washington DC
- Board Member NESARC, 1996-2000
- Executive Committee Member, 1998-2000
Florida Home Builders Association – Tallahassee Florida
- Life Director, 1987-current
- Chairman PAC Political Action Committee 1998
- Chairman Water Policy Task Force 1988
- Chairman Legal Defense Fund 1999
Treasure Coast Builders Association – Port St Lucie Florida
- Member HOPE PAC Political Action Committee, 1987-current
- Governmental Affairs Chairman, 1992,1993,1997,1998
- President, 1996-1997 1,000+ member firms from East Central Florida.
- Chairman HOPE PAC Political Action Committee, 1998
Awards
- Builder of the Year Treasure Coast Builders Association, 1997
- Growth Management Task Force. Indian River County Board of Commissioners2002
- Pinnacle Builder Treasure Coast Builders Association, 2004
- Dasie Hope Center Classroom Expansion 2008, Good Samaritan Award
What issues motivated you to run for this office and what do you hope to accomplish during your term?
I have been coming to the podium of the County Commission since the early 1980’s on a wide variety of issues from the early formation of the South Indian River County Fire District to Growth Management.
I have always been concerned on how could we provide government services more like a business operation.
Indian River County is one of the largest employers in the county. The board of county commission is also responsible for building roads and our public facilities. With tens of millions of dollars in budgeted purchases and construction projects, over the next few years we need to ensure that we are securing the best products and services at the lowest cost for the taxpayers of Indian River County.
If elected I plan to put into to place measurable goals and objectives. From improving the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon to the number of new jobs created by existing companies or new jobs relocated to the area, along with reducing the size of government and the tax burden on its residents.
On economic development, I wanted to see how Indian River County compares to other coastal counties around Florida. I am in the process of completing a study of other counties here in Florida. The study is a measure of strengths and weaknesses. This report will provide a direct comparison of our strengths and our weaknesses relative to attracting new businesses to Indian River County.
What makes you qualified to run for this position?
My combined experience as a successful local business owner for nearly 30 years and my involvement with the home building industry locally and nationally provides me a unique working knowledge of virtually every government agencies in the county. As your county commissioner I will not need on the job training, because I understand the operations and goals of each county department. With respect to the county budget, it is important to have someone on the county commission that understands the operational side of these departments.
What is your position on the potential sale of the City of Vero Beach’s electric utility to Florida Power and Light? What, if anything, could or should the Board of County Commissioners do to influence the process one way or the other? What should the commission do for those electric customers who live outside the city in the unincorporated portion of the county?
Yes, I support the sale of the City of Vero Beach Power to FPL for a variety of reasons. First of all, over 20,000 of the 32,000 power customers are county residents. These county residences do not have a say to the excessive power rates they have had to pay. The county commission does not have a direct authority, but we can be a voice of encouragement and apply pressure when the opportunities arise. With over $20,000,000 in annual savings to the customers that alone will be a boost to our local economy.
With unemployment at about 10 percent, what do you believe is the County Commission’s role in bringing more jobs to Indian River County? Do you support tax abatements and jobs grants to attract new businesses and encourage expansion of existing businesses?
Going back to my study which is nearing completion, I want to hold off on what I support or do not support until I understand the overall big picture of how the county compares to the other counties in my study. By focusing on just one area we may be over looking other key essential areas that need to be addressed.
The jobs grants are another tool that we have to offer employers both existing and new but again I want to see how we score overall on my study.