Dear Residents and Visitors,

Meet Your Council Members

Mark Housman, Councilor

1.  Provide short summary of your background and what circumstance brought you to become a resident of Indian Shores.

I grew up in Long Beach, NY; graduated from Tufts University in Boston; and moved to Orlando for my career, where I raised my family. After more than three decades in Lockheed Martin engineering leadership, wherein I oversaw international teams and multimillion-dollar defense programs, I retired, I was fortunate to trade office cubicles for sand dunes and warm Gulf waters. Also, the beaches from St. Pete Beach to Indian Rocks were always our favorite getaways when my children were young. My wife and I were ultimately drawn to Indian Shores for its welcoming, small-town feel and the shared pride residents take in protecting our slice of paradise.

2.  What is your top priority(s) for the town over the next year, and why?

My top priority is ensuring that Indian Shores continues to balance responsible growth with preserving the character and charm that make our community so special. We must maintain high standards for safety, infrastructure, and aesthetics. Soon after moving here full-time, I joined the Planning, Zoning and Building Committee, where I’ve served since 2015. We’re a small town with big responsibilities—from storm resilience to redevelopment—and I want to ensure that every decision we make strengthens Indian Shores for the long term.

3.  How do you engage with residents to ensure their voices are heard in Council decisions?

I make it a point to listen first and ask sufficient questions to fully understand residents’ perspectives—after all, their perspective is their reality. Whether it’s chatting with neighbors on the beach, at local events, or following up on Town Council discussions, I value open and respectful communication. I also encourage residents to attend public meetings or reach out by phone or email—many of our best ideas start as casual conversations that grow into solid policy.

4.  Can you share an example of a recent Council decision you supported and why you voted that way?

I recently supported updates to our Indian Shores staff job descriptions, the 2025 fiscal year budget process, and the integration of new senior staff members—including our Police Chief, Town Administrator, and Finance Director. Each of these efforts strengthened our outstanding Town staff, providing the clarity and consistency that benefit residents, businesses, and developers alike. These initiatives help preserve our town’s character while maintaining fair and transparent processes for everyone. It’s a great example of how thoughtful planning today prevents bigger headaches tomorrow.

5.  What challenges do you believe the town is currently facing, and how should we address them?

Our biggest challenges involve managing change—rising costs, infrastructure demands, and environmental pressures like coastal erosion. We can’t stop the tides, but we can plan smarter through regional cooperation, proactive maintenance, and continued investment in preparedness. Financial responsibility and long-term vision must guide every decision. The damage and recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 reinforced the importance of strategic planning and community resilience. 

6. How you see the town evolving in 5–10 years and the Council’s role

Over the next decade, I hope to see Indian Shores continue evolving as a model for how small coastal municipalities can grow thoughtfully while preserving their unique identities. The Council’s role is to remain forward-thinking—embracing innovation where it helps, exercising restraint where it must, and always keeping residents at the heart of every decision. Our Town Administrator and Finance Director have us on a strong fiscal path, and our new Police Chief has energized her department to serve and protect our community with pride. If we maintain that focus, we’ll keep Indian Shores the kind of place that drew us all here in the first place.