One year ago, Vero Beach taxpayers and utility ratepayers learned the city violated state law and faced penalties for not completing a mandatory audit, and Vice Mayor Taylor Dingle thought a state audit would “rebuild public trust,” but that idea just got severely shot down.
Rather than surprise his colleagues, Dingle publicly announced a full two weeks in advance his intent to ask the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to probe the city’s books. Dingle even sent out a press release, making it tougher for city officials to make his agenda item vanish – or so he thought.
Though the Vero City Council’s business meetings typically allow fairly free-wheeling discussion and even ad hoc problem-solving before a formal motion to take action is made, Mayor John Cotugno forced Dingle to make a motion immediately after his brief introductory statement.
In his statement, Dingle said the audit could be “a new beginning,” and a chance to move past doubt, mistrust and division.
“You may think what I’m proposing is too bold, that the risk is too great, and that is a valid concern to have,” Dingle said. “Honestly, it’s the right concern for any elected body to have. But the question before us is not whether we dare to act, it is whether we dare to believe in ourselves.”
Dingle said Vero has upheld its obligations to taxpayers and kept taxes low, and that the audit would bear that out.
“Accountability does not weaken democracy. It renews it,” Dingle said.
Dingle then asked permission to take the council’s temperature on the matter, before proceeding.
“You need to have a motion,” Cotugno said.
Could he hear what city residents in attendance might have to say, Dingle asked.
“You need to have a motion,” Cotugno repeated.
“Well, Mr. Mayor, I caution you, Dingle said. “I caution this council, if you choose to go in this direction, if you’re trying to shut me down or to silence me.
“This is coming from my heart. I believe this is the right course of action. What are we hiding if we don’t go through with this?”
When Dingle finally made his motion, it failed to draw a second. Matter concluded. Cotugno moved on.
At least Dingle’s item was not jettisoned from the agenda.
During a recent council meeting, Councilman John Carroll put a request on the agenda for updates on nearly two years’ worth of periodic financial reports city staff had not completed.
Carroll’s item was deleted from the agenda at the start of the meeting. It was supposed to be postponed, taken up during a meeting the next week, but by then everybody … forgot?
The City of Vero Beach clearly wants all talk and press reports of its embarrassing financial reporting challenges to disappear. Even if it means steamrolling duly elected council members in the process.
Indian River Shores has a stake in the matter, too. Shores residents help fund the City of Vero Beach, as Vero skims off $1.67 million in direct general fund transfers from water-sewer revenues, plus another $1.82 million for the utility’s “share” of City Hall operations, for a total of $3.5 million paid in part by people in the Shores.
Shores Mayor Brian Foley said he applauds Dingle for rocking the boat in the name of transparency – even if the effort failed.
“Thank you Vice Mayor Dingle for being a serious and responsible steward of the public trust and taxpayer funds,” Foley said, adding he supports a DOGE audit for Vero.
“Indian River Shores has an interest in full transparency of City of Vero Beach finances given the fact Indian River Shores residents are forced to buy water and sewer services from the City of Vero Beach.”
South Barrier Island residents outside Vero Beach city limits likewise contribute to Vero’s tax base while lacking a voice in city elections as they are represented by the Indian River Board of County Commissioners.
Shores and South Island utility ratepayers might not have a vote in city elections, but some do support Vero council candidates with their checkbooks.
Three council seats are on the November ballot, while Dingle will have another year left on his current term. If voters sent Dingle two or three like-minded, fiscally conservative reinforcements, the council might implement needed reforms, boost transparency and hold city staff accountable.
