06/08/2026
An update from Dave Happe on Commissioner Chris Scherer's taxpayer brand ambassador trade trip to Europe :
After 5 weeks, the county commission finally responded to my FOIA request on commissioner Scherer's trip to Europe.
1. Nothing crazy, expenses were actually cheap
2. Looks like he went with Brian Lowack/Visit St. Pete
3. Flew coach
4. No extravagant expenses
5. We did not pay $.01 for Mrs. Scherer
6. Many expenses BELOW travel policy (like, could have spent more than he did on per diem, etc.)
All in all, nothingburger if you agree that the commissioners should be travelling internationally. The trip, all in, was just a few thousand dollars. The deleting of the video was seemingly a panic reaction, as the expenses are not extravagant. The FOIA request resolved major concerns.
Makes you wonder why their representative(s) came into that thread all hot, and deleted the video (but that is just a side show). Only thing we might recommend they do differently is not have Brian Lowrak (who attended the trip) be the same guy that approves expenses.
All expenses comply with Florida 112.061 (travel policy) and county travel policies. https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0112/Sections/0112.061.html
I will provide screen shots of some of the actual expenses later, but nothing really to see (which is great!). I am happy this is the case so we can focus on the bigger issue(s).
No allowance shall be made for meals when travel is confined to the city or town of the official headquarters or immediate vicinity; except assignments of official business outside the traveler’s regular place of employment if travel expenses are approved. The Chief Financial Officer shall establi...
