Your County Government:

The County Commission is comprised of five members, elected to a four-year term by voters. Exercising their legislative powers, the County Commission adopts ordinances (local laws) and resolutions to establish policies and programs to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of Okeechobee County residents. Chapter 125.01 of the Florida Statutes establishes the specific duties and powers of the Board of County Commissioners.

The County Administrator is appointed by the County Commission to direct the functions of County Government under the auspices of the Board of County Commissioners. There are 12 departments under the direction of the County Administrator. These departments combine their efforts to provide residents with needed services, information, and programs.

Commission Meetings are held on scheduled on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 9 a.m., in the "Judge William L. Hendry Courtroom" located at the Historical Courthouse, 304 NW 2nd Street, Room 270 in Okeechobee.  All meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend. There is an opportunity for public comment at every meeting at 9:00 a.m. with speaker cards required to be completed and turned in no later than 8:45 a.m.  Commission meetings are streamed live through our county website at Meeting Portal - Okeechobee County, Florida

Additional Information: 

The Board of County Commissioners is the governing body of Okeechobee County, as established by the Florida Constitution, and serves as the legislative branch of county government.  Okeechobee County operates under the administrative form of government.

The five commissioners must reside in the districts they represent; however, they are chosen by a county-wide vote.  The five-member Board is chosen in two cycles, staggered by two years, with District 1,  District 3, and District 5 being elected in presidential election years; and District 2 and  District 4 are elected in the intervening years. 

At the beginning of each new fiscal year, the Board conducts an annual organizational meeting held at a regular BOCC Meeting in November of each year, to elect a chairman and vice chairman to serve a one year term. 

The authorities and responsibilities of the Board of County Commissioners include:

• Adopting ordinances and resolutions to establish public policy;
• Levying authorized taxes and fees;
• Adopting a budget each fiscal year;
• Appointing a chair and vice chair at the annual organizational meeting in November;
• Providing county services and infrastructure, including determining the amount and sources of funding for each;
• Appointing and supervising the county administrator and county attorney;
• Approving expenditures of county funds;
• Entering into contracts and agreements;
• Appointing individuals to serve on various boards and commissions established by state law, or by the Board of County Commissioners.

(Pictured L to R:) Commissioner Michael Sumner, Commissioner Frank DeCarlo, Chairman David Hazellief, Commissioner and 1st Vice Chair Terry Burroughs, and Commissioner and 2nd Vice Chair Bradley Goodbread.