The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has appointed Scott Safford, Vice Mayor of Fort Myers Beach, as an ex-officio member of the Lee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Safford will join the advisory body that helps guide tourism efforts in the county.
Safford and his wife, Jacki Liszak, who serves as president and CEO of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, have operated Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals on Fort Myers Beach since 2012.
Cecil Pendergrass, chair of both the Lee Board of County Commissioners and the TDC, commented on Safford’s appointment. “Scott has a deep connection to Fort Myers Beach and a strong grasp of how tourism impacts our local community,” said Pendergrass. “That combination of community involvement and industry knowledge will serve the TDC well.”
The TDC consists of nine voting members: three elected officials, three representatives from accommodations that collect tourist tax, and three from tourism-related industries. In 2022, four ex-officio nonvoting seats were added so each municipality could have representation if not already included in one of two rotating municipal seats.
Established in 1983 as an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners, the TDC aims to increase off-season tourism in Lee County. More information about the council can be found at leevcb.com and leegov.com/bocc.