Mike Welch

The East County Water Control District (ECWCD) will wait until the election in November of 2012, some 14 months from now, before a fifth member takes a seat on the board of commissioners. That was the decision of the board at its Sept. 28 meeting that took 30 minutes to discuss whether the vacant seat of Desmond Barrett should be filled now or to wait for 14 months when candidates can run for the seat.

Mike Welch, a member of the board and former campaign chairman for State Sen. Mike Bennett, which represents Lehigh Acres, said it was unclear how a vacancy on a special district such as the ECWCD should be filled.

“It’s just unclear legislation and nobody is quite sure how the seat would be filled,” Welch said. One possibility may be the governor’s naming of Barrett’s successor, but that apparently isn’t even clear in legislation, Welch said.

“We have options and I suggest we leave the seat vacant,” Welch said. Other members on the board in the end agreed and said the issue should be agreed upon in a resolution at the October meeting.

With a board of four members, it is possible for some controversial issue to become deadlocked if there is a vote of 2 to 2.

Desmond Barrett

“I would call that a negative vote or a no vote if that happens,” said Chairman Nate Stout.

Welch reminded the board that if there was a special election before November of 2012, it could cost the ECWCD $200,000. He said the county board of elections was busy with Cape Coral and an election for Lehigh would be added work anyway.

“I think it is best to wait until November of 2012 when there is a presidential election and usually a good turnout,” Welch said.

Commissioner David Deetscreek said he agreed and “didn’t want the board to spend the money” that it would cost to have a special election.

Chairman Stout said he remember some years ago that when there was a vacancy, the board of commissioners solicited members in the community to apply for the position. He said fellow board members voted to fill the seat and it went well, but Welch said he remembered it another way, indicating it may not have gone well.

Welch also said if the board voted to go to Florida Gov. Rick Scott to seek an appointment, he would detest. He also said that going to a circuit court judge would most likely bring about calling for a special election with the ECWCD paying for it.

Deetscreek said the four people on the board have made good decisions and he was tired of “spending money.”

The vacancy on the board has come about due to the resignation of Desmond Barrett, who has moved to Virginia and is the pastor of a church. He last participated by telephone at the August meeting. It was at that meeting that board members agreed to name the multi-purpose room at the new ECWCD office building, now under construction, in Desmond’s honor.

During the meeting held at the Brava Station Lehigh’s substation on Homestead Rd, David Lindsay, ECWCD executive director, said the construction of the new office building on East County Lane, was running over budget.

He said the general contractor is working at solving the problem by asking for additional bids.

The cost of the building was set at previous meetings at $835,000 and ECWCD board members reminded Lindsay the cost must be maintained.

Lindsay said contractors have told him that the building will be delayed in construction and make take a couple more months to complete than had been planned.

Also, board member Mike Bonacolta was appointed secretary with ECWCD Secretary to the Manager, Paula Camberato as his assistant. In essence she prepares the minutes of each meeting.