Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Scott Safford was appointed to the Lee County Tourist Development Council. File photo
The Lee Board of County Commissioners appointed Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Scott Safford to the Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
Safford will serve as an ex-officio member of the TDC, taking the non-voting seat of Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers.
“Scott has a deep connection to Fort Myers Beach and a strong grasp of how tourism impacts our local community,” said Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chair Cecil Pendergrass, who chairs the TDC. “That combination of community involvement and industry knowledge will serve the TDC well.”
Safford was recommended to the TDC by the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council.
“It is such a huge honor to be appointed to the TDC,” Safford said. “I had my first meeting last week and it was a privilege to represent my island as we still navigate through our recovery process. I want to thank my other council members for recommending me, and the Lee County Commissioners for appointing me… I will do my best to serve our community.”
The nine voting seats of the Tourist Development Council are composed of three elected officials, three representatives from accommodations collecting the tourist tax and three representatives from tourism-related industries, as directed by Florida Statutes.
Pink Shell Beach Resort General Manager Bill Waichulis is the lone Fort Myers Beach business representative on the council.
In 2022, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to add four ex-officio non-voting seats to allow all municipalities seats on the Tourist Development Council though only three of the seats for elected representatives can vote. Currently, the three voting seats on the TDC for elected officials are held by Cape Coral Councipeson Bill Steinke, City of Fort Myers Councilperson Liston Bochette III, and Pendergrass.
The four ex-officio, non-voting elected officials on the TDC are Safford, Bonita Springs Councilperson Nigel Fullick, Estero Councilperson Lori Fayhee, and Sanibel Vice Mayor Holly Smith.
Safford and his wife, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak, are the owners of Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals on Fort Myers Beach. They have owned this rental company since 2012
The TDC was established as an advisory board to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners in 1983 to increase off-season tourism in Lee County.