INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Those seeking election to City Council in Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere can official begin their run today as the cities’ qualifying period gets underway.
There are two seats on the Vero Beach City Council that are up for election this year, three seats in Sebastian, and two in Fellsmere.
So far, only a couple people have filed pre-qualified for their respective city councils. In Vero Beach, only incumbent Dick Winger has filed paperwork. Sebastian Vice Mayor Don Wright has pre-qualified, as has challenger Damien Gilliams. No one has filed paperwork yet in Fellsmere.
Both Winger and Vice Mayor Tracy Carroll are up for re-election. Winger is finishing his first term on council, having been elected in 2011. Carroll is finishing her first full term, but served for one year prior – in 2010 – after then-Councilman Charlie Wilson was disqualified.
In Sebastian, Wright, Mayor Bob McPartlan and Councilwoman Andrea Coy’s seats are up for election. So far, only Wright and Gilliams have pre-qualified. Wright was first elected in 2009 and is finishing his second term. McPartlan was elected in 2011 and finishing his first term. Coy was first elected in 2005 and closing out her fourth term.
Fellsmere Mayor Susan Adams and Councilwoman Sara Savage’s seats are up for election. No one has pre-qualified for that election. Adams has served on the Fellsmere Council since 2007 and is completing her third term. Savage was first elected in 2003 and is finishing her fifth term.
Those wishing to run for election have between Aug. 22 and Sept. 6 to file the appropriate paperwork with their municipality’s city clerk, who serves as the city’s elections supervisor.
To qualify for the Fellsmere race, contenders must have lived in Fellsmere for six continuous months immediately prior to filing. The qualifying fee is $25, which goes to the city, plus 1 percent of the City Council salary – or $48 – which goes to the State of Florida.
Those filing for Sebastian’s race must pay a $25 filing fee plus 1 percent of the council’s annual salary – or $36.
Vero Beach candidates pay a $50 fee to the city and, per state statutes, 1 percent of the annual City Council salary – or $108.