Local Government Information

Find out about city and county governments -- who your lawmakers are and how to contact them. There's also information on what to do for fraud relating to consumer and business affairs, credit card theft, and if you hit the big one in the Florida lottery -- how to collect.

Vero Beach is governed under the council-manager plan. Councilmen serve two-year terms and the mayor is selected by the council from among its five members. City business is conducted at Vero Beach City Hall, 1053 20th Place, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 978-5151.

Sebastian operates on a council-manager form of government. Council consists of four members plus a mayor each elected to two-year terms and a city manager. City business in Sebastian is conducted at City Hall, 1225 Main St., Sebastian, FL 32958 (772) 589-5330.

Fellsmere operates on a strong mayor-council form of government with a mayor and five council members. City business is conducted at City of Fellsmere, 21 S. Cypress St, Fellsmere, FL 32948 (772) 571-0116.

Indian River County is governed by a commission of five persons elected by the registered populace, each representing one of the five districts in the county. Each commissioner runs for office from one of five districts, but commissioners represent the entire county. They choose their own chairman from among their members. Inquiries are directed to County Administrator, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 567-8000.

County information from the community development report to employment can be found by clicking on the Indian River County link above. Indian River County 'quick facts' from the US Census Bureau can be found at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12061.html.

The Indian River County Chamber has business and community information. Contact Director of Economic Development, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. (772) 567-3491.

Indian River Shores has a mayor-council form of government. Business is conducted at the town office located at 6001 North A1A., Indian River Shores, FL 32963 (772) 231-1771.

Indian River County Courthouse
2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Vero Beach is the County Seat of Indian River County. The following departments are housed within the courthouse: Appeals, Civil, Family Services, Felony, Jury/Passport, Recording, and Traffic, all of which can be reached at (772) 770-5185 or online through the Clerk of the Courts website.

The Law Library is also at the courthouse: (772) 770-5157.

Consumer Assistance
For fraud relating to consumer and business affairs:

• There is the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles for complaints about car dealers.
• Insurance problems can be brought to the attention of the Department of Insurance.
• Investment scams can be filed with the Department of Banking & Finance.
• You've got the Agency for Health Care Administration for complaints against anyone in the health care field.
• There's the Department of Business & Professional Regulation for complaints regarding contractors and other professionals.

You can file a consumer complaint with the Division of Consumer Services in Tallahassee, file a mail order complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, and bring a problem with a communications carrier to the attention of the Federal Communications Commission. There is a local Better Business Bureau and you can, of course, call the Governor! For more detailed information and articles, please visit the Florida Department of Financial Services website.

Credit Card Fraud Assistance
If you are the victim of credit card theft/fraud:

• Immediately notify your credit card companies
• File a police report in the jurisdiction where the credit cards were stolen
• Notify the three national credit-reporting organizations to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number

The Federal Trade Commission offers a free booklet: "ID Theft: When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name." Top receive a copy, call toll-free (877) 438-4338 Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 8:00pm EST. Or go to www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

Names of Credit-Reporting Companies and numbers follow:

• Equifax: 800-525-6285
• Experian: 800-831-5614
• Trans Union: 800-680-7289

For Lottery Winners!

• Prizes up to $599.99 are paid by any lottery retailer.
• Prizes from $600 to $250,000 are paid at lottery district offices in West Palm Beach or Orlando between 8:30am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. The Palm Beach office is in Northpoint Corporate Park at 901 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 112-113, Tel: (561) 640-6190. The Orlando Office is located at Lake Howell Square, 1241 Semoran Boulevard, Suite 181, Casselberry; Tel: (407) 679-4499.
• Prizes more than $250,000 are paid only at lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. For instructions, call (850) 487-7777 and press "1" twice to reach the player information line.

Community Information > Government Information