ST. LUCIE COUNTY – For the first time since the program was created in 1995, all five St. Lucie County Commissioners have earned the designation of a Certified County Commissioner through the Institute for County Government (ICG), hosted by the Florida Association of Counties (FAC).
During FAC’s annual conference last week, St. Lucie County Commissioners James Clasby, Larry Leet and Erin Lowery completed the 47 hours of coursework required for the Certified County Commissioner program. Along with St. Lucie County Commissioners, 15 other county commissioners across the state received their certification at the FAC award ceremony. Commission Chair Jamie Lee Fowler completed the program in 2024, while Commissioner Cathy Townsend earned her certificate in 2018. This program’s curriculum encompasses a diverse range of courses, such as growth management, financial management, and ethics, as well as elective courses such as affordable housing, emergency management and resiliency.
“One of the key challenges county commissioners face is adapting to the evolving needs of their constituents and the rapid growth of their communities,” says Eric Poole, executive director of ICG. “The Certified County Commissioner program offers commissioners an opportunity to become a lifelong learner, giving them the tools and knowledge they need to effectively navigate these changes.”…