SEBASTIAN — Sebastian Mayor Richard Gillmor will represent the City of Sebastian on the Indian River Lagoon Coalition. At its May 27 meeting, Council voted 4-1 to approve the interlocal agreement creating the “new and independent council of local officials,” and naming Gillmor, an outspoken proponent of lagoon protection and restoration, as the group’s initial Chairman.
The dissenting vote was cast by Jim Hill, who told Council he had “serious, serious problems” that the document contained no sunset provision, and made a motion to modify it to include such verbiage.
His arguments were not enough to sway the majority, as his fellow Council members felt the document was fine the way it was. Hill came down on the short side of the 3-2 vote against his motion.
The Coalition is being formed so that Indian River County could have a seat and a voice on the Indian River Lagoon Council. The Lagoon Council is the governing body that has been tasked with ensuring successful implementation of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program’s Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, thus wielding significant influence on how millions in lagoon funding ($1.6 million in tax dollars next year alone) will be utilized in order to restore and protect the endangered lagoon, a vital part of the counties’ economic and environmental well-being.
The Lagoon Council membership was structured to include a representative from each of the counties along the lagoon – Brevard, St. Lucie, Volusia, Martin and Indian River – along with representatives from the St. John’s River Water Management District, the South Florida Water Management District, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Marine Research Institute and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
However, the Indian River County Commission has firmly and repeatedly refused to participate, effectively leaving the county with no representation on a body whose decisions will directly impact its citizens.
In response, the not-for-profit local lagoon coalition was created, with the purpose of seeking a seat on the Lagoon Council that would represent the interests of the county and its municipalities.
As of press time, the Coalition “parties” include the Cities of Sebastian, Vero Beach, and Fellsmere. Indian River Shores has been invited to join the Coalition but, as of yet, the Town Council has not taken action on signing the interlocal agreement.
Each municipality will pay a proportionate share of the $50,000 annual fee for IRL Council membership. A municipality may withdraw from the Agreement and the Coalition upon 60 days’ notice.
Early next month, the Coalition will hold its organizational meeting. Officers will be elected at that time, and each January thereafter. In the event the County Commission decides, at some future time, to seek membership on the Lagoon Council, the Coalition will give up its membership, upon admission of Indian River County to the Council, and after seeking pro rata repayment of any outstanding membership fees.
Gillmor stated his opinion that there is little chance the current County Commission will change its mind regarding Council membership but that, after the next election, a new Commission might seek a Council seat.
