Last December, the Taxpayers Association of Indian River County unanimously elected Lance Lunceford as its new President, succeeding Jordan Stewart, who will continue serving on the Board of Directors.
Sebastian Daily and the TPA annually collaborate to host the Sebastian City Council Forum, a partnership that has proven successful in providing a single platform for introducing council candidates to the local community. We encourage our readers to join the TPA.
“Unlike many organizations that are political and have goals and objectives, we’re very proud because we have accomplished much of our mission. This county is a crown jewel of fiscal conservatism and respects the taxpayer dollar,” Lunceford said, adding, “I believe this association has served as a pillar of this county, as a pillar of our cities, a pillar of our way of life in this region since 1957,” Lunceford said, adding, “in this county, we value civility in how we do things.”
Lunceford, a 24-year-old native of the area, is a Vero Beach High School alumnus. During his time there, he contributed significantly to the community and school leadership, being a pioneering student officer on the School Advisory Council, a member of the City of Vero Beach’s Centennial Committee in 2018, the Code of Conduct Committee, and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council. He also led as the VBHS Band Captain.
His high school years were filled with engaging activities such as the Math Team, Concerto Competition, and tutoring his peers for enjoyment, culminating in his recognition as a National Merit Commended Scholar. Furthermore, Lunceford was honored as the Exchange Club Boy of the Year for the State of Florida.
Before assuming the role of President for the Taxpayers Association, he played a crucial role in establishing the inaugural Community Council, a landmark event that brought together regional elected officials on an unprecedented scale, including the state senator, all five state constitutional officers, the county commission chair, the superintendent, and the mayors of Fellsmere, Vero, and Sebastian.
“It was an honor to chair it, and I appreciate that both my Association and the elected officials let me lead them in discussion. It was a symbol of unity and a testament to the power of the Taxpayers Association that we are able to bring together all the heads of government for a roundtable discussion on the future of the county,” he said.
Lunceford earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in finance and management, with a minor in music.
During his time at Wharton, he engaged in research publication, worked in venture capital, interacted with leading global figures in high finance, participated in student government, took on leadership roles in various clubs, served as the CEO of the Penn Symphony Orchestra, and was a distinguished performer in Penn’s elite Marion Anderson Performance Program.
“Of all my achievements in college, the one I cherish most was helping to create the Wharton student values with five other campus leaders in 2021. It might seem like just a selection of aspirational words, but it represented the significant duty of establishing core values for the world’s premier business school, influencing its direction through our strategic choices. I find deep satisfaction in contributing to endeavors that have the potential for lasting impact. This initiative was the ideal groundwork for understanding political responsibility on a smaller scale. Furthermore, it was a collaborative effort, and the friendships I forged during this time with individuals who are at the forefront of shaping the future are invaluable and enduring,” Lunceford reflected.
Moreover, Lunceford distinguished himself as the principal/first chair trombonist for the United States All-National Concert Band in 2017. Music plays a fundamental role in his life, profoundly influencing his perspective on the world.
“Becoming a hyper-prodigious musician requires both disciplined excellence and intellectual creativity. Alongside trombone, my father also taught me how to score-study and conduct ensembles since he was trained professionally. Even though it was when I was younger, I harken back to this because of the many character lessons I developed through becoming a more proficient musician,” Lunceford said.
He was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Merit in 2018 by Congressman Bill Posey on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Additionally, Lunceford is a Star Wars enthusiast, and given my own fandom since 1977, I felt compelled to seek his insights on the movie.
“We know all the lore, but truth be told I actually think there is an incredibly deep meaning behind what George Lucas created. It’s easy to write it off as spaceships and wizards with laser swords, but there is indelible symbolism in the story. The music of John Williams is probably what made me invest so much time into the franchise as a kid, but the narrative richness is what kept me engrossed. Up until the new sequels, that is, it took a downhill from there. I have faith Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau will fix it with their new projects,” he said.
At a recent luncheon, Lunceford emphasized to the TPA members that their ongoing responsibility is to guide and empower officials throughout the region to govern with a commitment to the welfare of our citizens and the prudent management of our tax dollars.
Lunceford revealed several updates to the board, including the introduction of new members. He also discussed launching a new initiative, One Indian River County, aimed at unifying all governmental entities with the core principle of valuing taxpayer dollars and maintaining fiscal discipline. Additionally, Lunceford touched on the Association’s restructuring, with plans to merge and streamline its oversight committees. This reorganization is intended to facilitate the involvement of non-board members in both local and county governance.
“OneIRC will chart a strategic plan for the Taxpayers Association, forging a unifying vision that will steer governments across the region toward the principles that strengthen our democratic republic,” Lunceford told Sebastian Daily.
Lunceford further noted that the Taxpayers Association is a complex organization with numerous components, all needing to operate with precision. He explained that their monthly luncheons are only a small glimpse into the organization’s extensive work, which includes wide-ranging oversight and the development of recommendations on various community aspects that lead to actionable decisions. Having served as treasurer last year, Lunceford highlighted that they undertook many transformative initiatives for the TPA.
TPA collaborates with government officials and agencies at the national, state, county, and municipal levels to foster mutual understanding between the government and taxpayers.
It advocates for efficient and economical practices within public services and government operations, focusing on education, budget management, planning and zoning, recreational activities, airport operations, and other areas that contribute to controlling taxes.
The TPA operates through committees consisting of volunteer members who engage in thorough research and analysis of key public issues. The outcomes and recommendations from these committees inform the TPA’s public stance and actions on various matters.
The Board of Directors provides leadership for and manages the affairs of the Taxpayers Association of Indian River County. The Board makes recommendations, forms decisions, and takes action on issues that involve taxes, assessments, legislation, improvements and developments affecting residents of Indian River County. Its cognizance covers matters of national, state, county, school, and municipal government that pertain to the taxpayers of Indian River County. The Board meets the week preceding the monthly membership luncheons to conduct its major business decisions.
Members are informed by attending a monthly luncheon that is open to all members and their guests, where guest speakers discuss topics of interest and announcements or discussions on related subjects may occur.
TPA members are also informed through a monthly newsletter distributed to members, featuring the President’s message and details of the upcoming meeting, alongside information and announcements from the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors convenes monthly, prior to the membership luncheon, to deliberate on significant decisions impacting the TPA.
You can gain regular membership with an annual fee starting from $26 by signing up on their website. We strongly encourage joining the TPA to keep up-to-date with local and county government activities. Most of the county-wide elected officials and a significant number of local officials are regulars at their luncheons.
The organization’s mission statement reads, “The great mission of The Taxpayers’ Association of Indian River County is to secure those principles which allow liberty to flourish. Chief among these is limited government. The best way to accomplish this mission is to limit government to the efficient delivery of essential government services. This will reduce the tax burden of all citizens. Through member activism, we drive this mission and serve our community. Through adherence to principles designed to limit the size, scope, and spending profile of government, we build a stronger democratic republic.”