Economic Development Council

The Economic Development Council provides advice to the Board of County Commissioners for direction of all Indian River County economic development activities and the overall economic development plan. More details about the duties and responsibilities of EDC members.

Relevant Resolutions, Ordinances, and Statutes

• Resolution 2019-011 approved February 5, 2019, added the position of health care industry representative.
• Resolution 2018-049 approved May 8, 2018, changed the position of local citrus industry to local agriculture representative.
• Resolution 2012-054, approved June 5, 2012, provided representation for the Indian River State College, and that the representative is not required to be a resident of Indian River County.
• Resolution 2008-091, approved July 8, 2008, provided representation for a member of the local manufacturing industry and replaced the member from the Manufacturing Task Force as the task force had been disbanded.
• Resolution 2008-027, approved March 4, 2008, provided that the Work Force Development Board member did not have to reside in Indian River County.
• Resolution 2008-003, approved January 15, 2008, established three additional members to the Economic Development Council to provide representation for the Town of Indian River Shores, the Town of Orchid and the Work Force Development Board.
• Resolution 2003-127, approved October 21, 2003, restructured the Economic Development Council.
• Ordinance 2003-010, approved March 11, 2003, provided that Commissioners serve as a non-voting liaison.
• Resolution 1993-175, approved October 12, 1993, repealed Resolution 1985-86 and established the Economic Development Council.
• Resolution 1985-86, approved September 4, 1985, established the Economic Development Council.

Terms, Meetings, and Membership

The term of office for each member shall be four (4) years. Indian River County residency is required, except for the Workforce Development Board member representative, per EDC Updated: 03.31.21, Resolution 2003-127. There is no term limitation. The non-voting liaison serves a 1-year term and may be reappointed for subsequent terms. Meetings are held the third Tuesday of the odd numbered month at 3:30 p.m. at the County Administration Building B, 1800 27th Street, Vero Beach, Florida in Conference Room B1-501. The Recording Secretary is Ed Offutt, Commissioner Assistant.

The Economic Development Council shall be comprised of twenty-three (23) voting members; and one (1) non-voting liaison. Thirteen (13) of the voting members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The remaining voting members are appointed by their designated entity.

The following are the categories of the EDC member positions:

1. 1. One (1) representative from the City of Vero Beach City Council.
2. 2. One (1) representative from the City of Sebastian City Council.
3. 3. One (1) representative from the City of Fellsmere City Council.
4. 4. One (1) representative from the Town of Indian River Shores Town Council.
5. 5. One (1) representative from the Town of Orchid Town Council.
6. 6. One (1) representative from the School Board of Indian River County.
7. 7. One (1) representative from the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce.
8. 8. One (1) representative from the Sebastian River Chamber of Commerce.
9. 9. One (1) representative from the Work Force Development Board.
10. 10. One (1) representative from Indian River State College (Does not have to be IRC resident).
11. 11. One (1) representative appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
12. 12. One (1) representative from the real estate industry.
13. 13. One (1) representative from the Gifford community.
14. 14. One (1) representative from the local banking industry.
15. 15. One (1) representative from a local developer.
16. 16. One (1) representative from the local manufacturing industry.
17. 17. One (1) representative from local industry.
18. 18. One (1) representative from the local tourist industry.
19. 19. One (1) representative from the local agriculture industry.
20. 20. One (1) representative from the healthcare industry.
21. 21-23. Three (3) members from the county at-large appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.

Voting Members

1. 1. Bob McCabe - Representative from City of Vero Beach City Council.
2. 2. Fred Jones - Representative from City of Sebastian City Council. Jim Hill, Vice-Mayor - Alternate.
3. 3. Jessica Salgado, Mayor - Representative from City of Fellsmere City Council. Inocensia "Ino" Hernandez - Alternate.
4. 4. Sam Carroll - Representative from Town of Indian River Shores Town Council. Chris Hendricks - Alternate.
5. 5. Simms Browning - Representative from Town of Orchid Town Council. Patti Oertle-Phaneuf - Alternate.
6. 6. Dr. Peggy Jones - Representative from School Board of Indian River County. Jacqueline Rosario - Alternate.
7. 7. Dori Stone - Representative from Indian River County Chamber of Commerce.
8. 8. Bob Morgan – Representative from Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce. Cheryl Thibault - Alternate.
9. 9. Brian Bauer - Representative from Work Force Development Board. Glenda Matesic - Alternate.
10. 10. Casey Lunceford - Representative from Indian River State College.
11. 11. J. Rock Tonkel - Representative appointed by BCC.
12. 12. Tim Borden - Representative from real estate industry.
13. 13. Joe Idlette III - Representative from Gifford community.
14. 14. William J. Penney - Representative from local banking industry.
15. 15. Peter Robinson - Representative from local development.
16. 16. James Funk - Representative from local manufacturing community.
17. 17. John Dyer - Representative from local industry.
18. 18. Lee David Hunter - Representative from local tourist industry.
19. 19. Gerald W. Renick - Representative from local agriculture industry.
20. 20. Dr. Ralph D. Turner - Representative from healthcare industry.
21. 21. Anna Kirkland - Member At Large.
22. 22. Karl L. Zimmerman - Member At Large.
23. 23. Todd Howder - Member At Large.

Non-Voting Liaison

1. 1. Peter D. O'Bryan - Commissioner