Gov. Jeb Bush recently reappointed one member and appointed three new members to the Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Edward W. Chance of Palmetto, retired, was reappointed for a term beginning April 14 and ending March 1, 2009. He has served on the Governing Board since September 2000.
C. A. Neil Combee, Jr. of Lakeland was appointed to succeed Ronald C. Johnson whose term expired March 1, 2005. Combee is a cattleman and realtor with Century Companies. He was appointed for a term beginning April and ending March 1, 2009.
Jennifer Closshey of Plant City was appointed to succeed Margarita N. Dominguez whose term expired March 1, 2005. Closshey is president of Ideas and Innovations, Inc. She was appointed for a term beginning April 14 and ending March 1, 2009.
Todd Pressman of Clearwater was appointed to succeed Ronnie Duncan who stepped down in December 2005 when he was elected as a Pinellas County Commissioner. Pressman is president of Pressman and Associates, Inc. He was appointed for a term beginning April 14 and ending March 1, 2006.
The appointments require confirmation from the Florida Senate.
Governing Board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers who are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The 11-member 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 ex officio of a Basin Board.
The District has eight regional Basin Boards that provide guidance for local programs that are specific to the watershed basins they protect. The District’s ninth 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.