Meet Taylor Dingle and John Cotugno

• Meet Taylor Dingle and John Cotugno

• RSVP for October 22 Let's Talk Vero

• Are you one of the 28,000 households mandated to connect to sewer by 2030?

• Important upcoming City and County Meetings

Meet Taylor Dingle and John Cotugno

Following the enthusiastic response to our recent “Get to Know Your County Commissioners” series, we’re excited to announce this new series with Vero Beach City Council members in conversation with Morgen Reynolds. Just like the previous series, this new one aims to help you put faces to names and get to know your City leaders on a more personal level.

Remember, having a Vero Beach mailing address doesn’t always mean you’re a City voter—about 100,000 Indian River County residents have a Vero Beach address but are outside city limits and voting boundaries. You can check your status here

Below please find our first two episodes, featuring Taylor Dingle and Mayor John Cotugno, who are up for re-election this year.  

Note: No County commissioners are up for re-election this year.

Let's Talk Vero -- October 22

Reminder to mark your calendar and RSVP below for our next Let’s Talk Vero at Riverside Theatre gathering, which will take place on Wednesday, October 22, from 5 – 7 pm 

Topics for discussion at Let's Talk Vero:

Baerbel O'Haire will moderate Mayor Cotugno and Planning Director Jason Jeffries in conversation on the following topics:

• What City and County are asking Senator Grall and Representative Brackett to champion for us up in Tallahassee (see more about this below)

• More airline and airport updates

• Three Corners update

• Downtown Vero update

That same morning, the annual Fall Legislative Delegation meeting will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the County Commission Chambers (1801 27th Street, Vero Beach).

 Background:

Everyone is invited to attend. Each fall, city and county leaders, nonprofits, businesses, and residents gather to spotlight the community’s top priorities—schools, healthcare, housing, the lagoon, arts, and more. This meeting helps shape what Erin Grall and Robbie Brackett advocate for on your behalf in Tallahassee, making it one of the year’s most important conversations.

If you wish to speak at this meeting, you must fill out this form and return to Susan Aguirre, Rep. Brackett's District Aide, by October 10.

Are you one of the 28,000 households mandated to connect to sewer by 2030?

At yesterday's County commission meeting, there was a long discussion on this topic -- you may click here and scroll to the 2:19:35 mark to watch the presentation and Commissioner deliberations.

Indian River County faces a state mandate requiring about 28,000 homes and businesses to switch from traditional septic tanks to sewer lines or nitrogen‑reducing systems by July 1, 2030, to protect the Indian River Lagoon.

Noncompliance could trigger fines or forced upgrades costing $5,000–$23,000, and expenses may be secured by property liens. The County is exploring state and federal grants to help offset costs. Property owners may verify whether they need to comply by contacting the Department of Utility Services at (772) 770-5300 or filling out this form.

Next City Council/County Commission Dates:

Vero Beach City Council

Tuesday, October 14, 9:30 AM

1053 20th Place, Vero Beach

Indian River County Board of County Commissioners

Tuesday, October 21, 9:00 AM

1801 27th Street, Building A, Vero Beach