Fort Myers, Fla.-Lee County has hired a local marketing and public relations agency for $200,000 to smooth the way for its new ordinance restricting lawn fertilizing that goes into effect next May. “We’re operating in a fairly large county and we didn’t want to make it an enforcement issue,” Kurt Harclerode, operations manager for the county’s natural resources division, advised Green Markets. He said the county thinks the agency “has the tools and the necessary background that will serve us well,” referring to the Fort Myers firm of Gravina, Smith & Matte that’s been awarded the contract to conduct an outreach program. He said he expects GS&M’s efforts will involve producing pamphlets and advertisements and executing a public education program. Last May, commissioners approved the ordinance, which could result in a fine of up to $500 for fertilizing during the rainy season and anywhere within 10 feet of county waterways. The rainy season runs from June 1 to Sept. 30, when this area gets 80 percent of its average 55 inches of moisture. Harclerode said the county is specifically targeting nitrogen and phosphorus, and is requiring best management practices such as keeping fertilizer off sidewalks and use of blends with slow release nitrogen. Professional applicators, who are already required to be licensed, will have to certified by attending an extension service training course. Harclerode said he didn’t know of any other communities using PR firms specifically for fertilizer ordinances, but said they are commonly hired when their communications expertise is needed on other community programs. One councilman, however, didn’t think hiring a consultant this time was such a good idea when the county is trying to cut back on spending. He suggested, “I think we can make the $200,000 go further with our own in-house support.”
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain