1990 | Inception

The "Business Council of Okeechobee County, Inc." was founded with the intent to “promote the sound and judicious economic growth” of the community, and “to ensure the continual upgrading of the standards and quality of life of the citizens and residents of Okeechobee County.” The following business and industry leaders comprised the inaugural Board of Directors:

Edwin E. Walpole, III | Chairman

Franklin D. Marsocci | Chairman-Elect

John W. Abney, Sr. | Secretary

Joe Mullins | Treasurer

Frank Altobello | Director

Philip Y. Berger | Director

Frank W. Williamson, Jr. | Director

Thomas A. Hebel | Director

Robert R. Hoover | Director

Thomas E. Brooks | Director

H. G. Culbreth, Jr. | Director

1992 | Organizational Rename

The "Business Council of Okeechobee" was effectively renamed the “Economic Council of Okeechobee” to better reflect the organization’s broader scope of interests, including local civic and education matters.

1992 | Administrative Form of Government

Until this time the Okeechobee County BOCC operated as a "liaison form of government," in which each Commissioner directly managed a different department of the county. This practice was determined to be problematic as the provision of services lacked equity and was an ineffective way to manage staff. To streamline efficiency and increase accountability of elected leaders, the Economic Council advocated for a more modern "administrative form of government," which was formally adopted in 1992. The first county administrator hired was Mr. Dale Milita.

1992 | Privatization of Landfill

The Council identified the need for a modern waste collection facility and served as an influential voice in the privatization of the county-owned and operated landfill (now Waste Management). The privatization of the landfill has since contributed over $100 million in revenues to Okeechobee County from host fees alone.

1995 | Formation of OUA

The Council advocated for and was instrumental in the development of the formation of the Okeechobee Utility Authority, previously owned and operated by the City of Okeechobee.

1995 | Transportation improvements

Council leadership identified Highway 70 as a connector route and advocated to reprioritize the widening of this road in the Department of Transportation’s future planning, addressing serious safety and connectivity concerns for Okeechobee and other rural communities.

1995 | Educational Environment

Following a decline in the safety and quality of environment at Okeechobee High School, the Council became instrumental in the development of the Okeechobee County School District’s Code of Student Conduct, drug policy, and School Resource Officer program.

2015 | FPL Power Plant

With no designated organization solely dedicated to economic development, the Council became engaged in an opportunity for Okeechobee County by facilitating a relationship with Florida Power and Light Company. FPL later purchased property in Okeechobee County and constructed a $1.3 billion natural gas power plant facility, adding millions in revenue for Okeechobee County.

2016 | Local Government Transparency

The Economic Council has always supported fair, ethical and transparent local government, but this was not always a priority for local elected leaders. Before becoming vocal on this issue, the City Council did not allow comments from the public at City Council meetings unless prior approval was received by the Mayor. The City would also not provide digital copies of meeting materials prior to the meetings, or disclose public budget documents until the ECO cited their legal obligation to do so (see Florida Statute and the Freedom of Information Act). With changing leadership, the City of Okeechobee has gradually become one of the most transparent agencies in the community. The School District now also provides meeting materials and most supporting documents online for the public to review.

2018 | Code Enforcement

The Economic Council recognized a severe need for increased enforcement in both the City and County. Economic Council leadership personally drove individual commissioners through the most blighted areas of the community to emphasize this, and subsequently requested and participated in a public workshop at the BOCC to find resolutions to the lack of enforcement. In further collaboration with local officials, the Council served as a catalyst for the City and County code enforcement department ramp ups and their reprioritization as a vital service. The Council sought and secured increased allocations for these departments to offer staff the resources necessary to provide an improved service. The Council also advocated for the adoption of a special magistrate instead of a citizen-led board to govern code enforcement cases (for fairness), and supported the move of the city's CE department to the management of the Police Department from the City Fire Department (for effectiveness).

2018 | Economic Development

The Council recognized the need for a professionally-staffed and well-funded entity dedicated solely to the recruitment of new, and the expansion of existing, business in Okeechobee County. Through collaboration with local leaders and the professional guidance of economic development experts from the most successful areas of the country, the Council established the Economic Development Corporation, which is now a public-private partnership including the County, City, School District, Indian River State College, and private industry leaders. Our local investment (public and private) in economic development increased from $40,000 annually to $380,000 in just 5 months because of ECO leadership and supportive elected leaders.

2019 | Water Policy

The Council actively engaged in advocating for water policy issues facing our region, voicing specific concerns for Lake Okeechobee water management and operating schedules to the Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District.

2020 | Flagler Park Revitalization

The Economic Council advocated consistently since 2016 for the increased investment into Flagler Parks and the downtown area to improve our quality of life. Having received little to no support from the City in 4 years, the Economic Council hired a landscape architect to provide conceptual renderings to illustrate what the possibilities could be if we invested in our downtown parks. After meeting with each individual City Council member and stakeholders from other community organizations, the Economic Council publicly presented the conceptual redesign to the community at IRSC and the Historic Courthouse. Since this public campaign, the City Council has become supportive of increased investment, has secured a professional architectural firm, and has delegated a citizen-led advisory committee to guide the future development of Flagler Parks and the downtown area.

2020 | Consolidation of Fire Rescue Services

Through extensive research and consideration of all potential best practices, the Council advocated for a contract for fire rescue services between the City of Okeechobee and Okeechobee County. This contract for services provided an annual savings of hundreds of thousands, provided a more efficient fire rescue service for all, and offered staff guaranteed employment and professional advancement opportunities.

2020 | New High School Campaign

Starting in 2017, the Council became engaged and fully supportive of Okeechobee County School District's campaign for special facilities funding for the construction of a new, modern high school campus. In 2018, members of the Council traveled to Tallahassee to present to the Department of Education in support of the School District, but were unsuccessful in receiving funding. In 2020, Economic Council members again participated in local, on-site presentations to state appropriations committees. Okeechobee County School District was later ranked 2nd in the state for the highest need for funding and was awarded $67 million for full construction of a new campus with Governor Ron DeSantis approving Florida's budget in spring of 2021.

2020 | Investment in Education

The Economic Council collaborated with the leadership of the existing Education Foundation of Okeechobee to increase the organization’s funding streams, initiate new programming, and strategically plan to execute initiatives to serve as a dynamic support system for our local school system. The Education Foundation now has a professional Executive Director and has launched four brand new programs supporting local students and teachers.