Gov. Charlie Crist recently reappointed C.A. “Neil” Combee, Jr. and appointed Carlos Beruff to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Neil Combee is a realtor with Century Realty Funds, Inc., and lives in Polk City. He was first appointed to the Governing Board in April 2005 and has served as Governing Board secretary, vice-chair and chair. His current term ends March 3, 2013. He also serves as the co-chair of the District’s Peace River Basin Board. The Peace River Basin Board area includes Hardee, DeSoto and portions of Polk, Highlands and Charlotte counties.
Carlos Beruff is president of Medallion Homes Gulf Coast and lives in Parrish. He was appointed to succeed Patricia Glass. His term ends March 1, 2013. He will also serve as the co-chair of the District’s Manasota Basin Board. The Manasota Basin Board area includes Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The Governing Board sets policy for the District, whose mission is to manage the water and related resources of west central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users while protecting the environment. Each Governing Board member also serves as chair or co-chair of a Basin Board.
The District has seven regional Basin Boards that provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the watershed basins they protect. The District’s eighth basin, the Green Swamp, is administered by the Governing Board. Basin Boards work with local governments and other entities on water resource projects that have an impact in local communities. Basin Boards often provide partial funding for these projects in partnership with a local government or local cooperator.