FIS AROUND THE STATE - NOVEMBER 2025
Miami-Dade Chapter Area
Member Bobby Hartwell, SoFlow Irrigation, challenged area contractors to fight local unlicensed activity in the Miami-Dade jurisdiction. A state or local license is required to install, repair or maintain an irrigation system but individuals as well as local officials have ignored the rules. In August, Hartwell sponsored along with Rainbird a meeting for all area contractors and suppliers to discuss solutions.
In November as a follow-up to the August meeting, the Chapter invited Danilo Baptista, a Florida licensed CAM, to speak on how to do business with an HOA. Suggestions were discussed with the speaker on the best ways to educate CAMs and HOA Boards on the importance of hiring licensed irrigation contractors.
Southwest Florida Chapter
Meeting on a regular basis at either Mission BBQ and Famous Dave’s the second Tuesday of the month has brought together area contractors and suppliers/manufacturers to discuss and find solutions to their area specific issues. Members have provided input into Cape Coral’s new irrigation regulations and a meeting brought actionable items to work with CAMs to provide education and reduce unlicensed activity at HOAs and condos. An article was written by chapter members for the SW Chapter of CAMs on “Understanding Local and State Irrigation License Requirements” that will appear in the fall issue of their newsletter. Additionally, two CEU courses developed by FIS were submitted for CAM continuing education on licensing and water audit topics for their 2026 education programming. These courses can also be used in other areas around the state for CAM education.
December 9 Chapter Meeting
Scheduled for December 9, the chapter meeting will be at the Ft. Myers Brewing Company, beginning at 6:00pm-8:00pm. The chapter will be celebrating the coming holiday season as well as discussing the proposed FL Senate bill 508 that will drastically change the irrigation landscape. FIS and the chapter are reaching out for member feedback. To register, click here.
Tampa Bay Chapter
On October 8th, the Chapter hosted an afternoon of fun for members and their guests at Top Golf as they traded in the meeting room for golf clubs. Feedback on the event that they were having so much fun that they forgot to take pictures. Thanks to sponsors Rainbird and Toro.
The Annual Tampa Bay Chapter Golf Tournament is scheduled for April 25, 2026 at the Heritage Isle Golf and Country Club in Tampa. Watch for registration and sponsorship materials after the first of the year.