be right back. She said >> on with that. >> Well, good morning everyone. Welcome to the March 24th Board of County Commission meetings. We have a rather packed agenda today. We will start with a moment of silence for our first responders and members of our
armed forces and then we will have the invocation uh performed by Rabbi Rose Durban which is new to the area and we will welcome her and this will be our first time uh performing the invocation. So please rise.
>> Rabbi, welcome. Good morning. We ask you Adonai, source of wisdom and breath. We gather in a space where decisions carry real consequence. Where leadership is not abstract but lived in
the daily lives of this community. Our tradition calls us to holiness, not in retreat, but in responsibility. To build a society where, as our Torah teaches, we do not stand idly by the suffering of our neighbor, but instead pursue justice
again and again until it takes root. So we ask, grant these leaders clarity of mind and steadiness of heart. Help them to see beyond the immediate, to weigh not only what is expedient, but what is right. As the prophet Micah reminds us,
the work of leadership is to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God, to hold power with compassion, and to temper conviction with humility. As our sages teach, the world itself stands
on three pillars: on justice, on truth, and on peace. Let these pillars ground this chamber, guiding every conversation, shaping every decision. May all who serve here remember that every person in this county is created
but sell Elohim in the image of God. Each life carrying infinite dignity and worth. Bless these leaders with the courage to choose wisely, the patience to listen deeply and the integrity to serve the common good. Ken Yihiode, may
this be God's will. And let us say, amen. >> Amen. >> And thank you, Rabbi. And let's welcome our new rabbi to Indian River County. Please remain standing and join us in the pledge led by our county administrator John
to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible and justice for all. Well, thank you fellow commissioners. That leads us to any additions or
deletions uh for today's meeting. >> Mr. Chair, move approval. >> Second. >> Have a motion to approve by Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Adam. Any further discussions? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I.
Commissioners, the next uh item today will be uh a remarkable proclamation of the Gford Historical Museum and Cultural Center by Mr. Richard Bellowski. Come on up. Thank you, commissioners. Uh Johnny May
Perry, who is the executive director of the museum, is going to say we'll say some words first. >> Welcome. Thank you and good morning. Where there is no vision, the people perish.
Proverbs 29:18. The Gilbert Cultural Center and Museum is a legacy to the African-American communities throughout Indian River County. Many of us are connected through more than meetings or projects. We are
connected through families, through memories, and through lived experiences that have shaped GER and surrounding communities across generations. The culture center services have already
been deeply interwined with the cultural life of this town. It is an anchor to preserve Indian River County's African-Americans story past. The Gford Culture Center will provide
venues for indooroutdoor performances in its unique amphitheater, art gallery, a gift shop, spaces for social, educational, and cultural activities, all while enjoying Dr. and
Martin Luther King Park. This center will contribute to the local vitality of the county by attracting visitors, supporting all art forms, and serving as a beacon for lifong
creative learning and diverse cultural experiences. We are not becoming something separate from the county. We are formalizing a responsibility
to it. This culture center is something sacred to us so that future generations inherit a space dedicated to cultural education, shared history, and spiritual grounding.
Commissioners, you have supported this vision and project from the beginning with the resolution of commitment and we are thankful for your support. Together,
let us continue to make Indian River County not only an exquisite place to live, but also to visit. We present the Gford Culture Center and Museum. I' I've stood here so many times for so
many reasons and as I was sitting while Johnny was speaking, it sort of hit me. This is for me, this has been a real honor to work on this project. Part of that goes to the fact that all of you have been so supportive on every level. Commissioner Fletcher, I remember the
first meeting we had when this was just an idea. How encouraging you were, how every commissioner has been supportive, how everyone on senior staff, everyone on planning staff. It's I've never been associated with something that was just so fulfilling. you may remember because
I think some of you were there at the large meeting we had at the Gford Community Center uh the cheret uh with our led by the Lord consulting where we went over all the things the community wanted in this project and I'm pleased
to say everything's been incorporated. We charged our architect, Max Breurto of Roads Plus Breurto, to not only fulfill all of those programmatic elements, but to create something that would be truly
a lasting icon in Indian River County. And I think you're going to see between this coming cultural center and museum, the new Gford Youth Orchestra that we're creating a cultural center on the mainland sort of to rival what we have with the Vero Beach Museum of Art and
the Riverside Theater. Maybe not quite on the scale, but I think in terms of meaning. So, we're going to play a 4 minute and 39 second video because I know we have time constraints. Uh the architect prepared showing this project.
I I'm gonna be you're going to be watching the video. I'm going to be watching your faces. Thank you. K. So, we'll be back soon with the formal submitt for the project and I'm sure we can go into detail Then if you have any
questions, happy to answer them now. Uh but I like to know. You all look like you're happy. >> Always >> good. Very beginning I knew that uh this was going to be a special project. Uh I guess I perceived it as a conventional
project that is nothing uh like a conventional project. Uh Adam mentioned something in the very beginning. The pretty wolf fork was extremely wrapped around this project
and always very excited and admired what was going forward. It's unfortunate he won't be here to see the erection of this building, the project,
but um I I I just am overwhelmed by seeing it. Um as you know, there might be a change in November. Um I I can't go away from this. >> You You're going to get the gold shovel,
Joe. I'm I'm gonna be here for you because this has been a long road. I also sense after looking at that video that we are going to see a lot more fundraising because that's a big project.
>> Yeah, we we're we're really confident about that, you know, because it has a national impact. We're delighted that the next item is about Jackie Robinson, who's a big part of of of the story. we've had the support of uh Peter Ali
and it it's exciting. Again, I thank all of you for the support for for everyone in leadership, staff. It's been a joy to work with you on this and uh I'm looking forward to that day when we hand you the golden shovel, Joe. Thank you. Thank you
all. Have any questions? Happy to answer. >> Well done. Thank you. >> Thank you. Exciting times for sure. >> Yes. >> Uh commissioner, the next item is exciting as well. And this will be presented uh by Commissioner Joe Man,
which is a proclamation honoring Jackie Robinson and celebrating the 2026 Jackie Robinson celebration game. Most of you know that Commissioner Irman is a professional umpire for all types of baseball, whether little league or high
school or otherwise. So, Commissioner Herman, welcome. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Jackie Robinson, folks, come on up. >> Oh, thanks. Thanks for being here today. And it's my honor to present this proclamation.
As the chairman said, I'm a huge baseball fan. Not a probably as big a fan as Curtis Carpenter is, but but I'm a huge baseball fan. And uh I do spend a good part of my time this year on Piran High School and middle school baseball and then the occasional college out at
out at Jackie Robinson actually that to come here. So baseball's near and dear to my heart, but I'm also a historian and a fan of history and and I have followed this story of Jackie Robinson ever since I was a kid and followed I'll
call it Dodger Town because that's what I that's what it was when I grew up. It was Dodger Town and I was fortunate as a as a young man to have a have a dad that had tickets, season tickets for all the spring training games and we got to go when the adults weren't going. I got to
take all my friends and see all the great players play. So, it was it was really cool and really impressive. So, I've seen I've seen a lot of baseball in my time. Played a lot of baseball. Still try to play men's softball is about as all I can do now. But other than that,
this is near and dear to me because of that fact that I am a huge baseball fan. So, it's my honor to read this proclamation. And let me do so. This is a proclamation honoring Jackie Robinson celebrating the 2026 Jackie
Robinson celebration game. Where is April 15, 2026 marks the 79th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers becoming
the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball. And whereas Jackie Robinson spent nine spring trainings 1948 through 1956 at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, where the Brooklyn Dodgers advanced to the
World Series five times. And whereas Dodgertown became the first fully integrated spring training site in the South in 1948, serving as a beacon of progress during a time of segregation.
And whereas the Jackie Robinson celebration game will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Homeman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex with the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach
Frozen Iguanas facing off to honor Jackie Robinson's legacy while raising funds for the United Way of Indian River County. Whereas this event brings residents and visitors together to celebrate history, enjoy America's
pastime, and give back to the local community. Now therefore, we have proclaimed by the board of county commissioners of any river county, Florida that we honor the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson recognize the importance of the Jackie Robinson
celebration game and encourage residents and visitors to participate in this meaningful event on April 15, 2026. adopted this 24th day of March, 2026 and signed by all five county
commissioners. Meredith, welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you, commissioners. Good morning. Uh, Meredith Egan, CEO, United Way. Usually, I stand before you with a difficult, complicated request. So, I'm happy today to be here to celebrate something and not be asking
you for some hard decision. Um, it's a pleasure to be here to celebrate Jackie Robinson. And I love that we're also celebrating uh the Gford Cultural Museum. Uh I think that that's a testament to the history and the culture um and the legacy of our community of
Jackie and of Gford. Um so they really some synergy there. I love that. Um and you said, you know, Commissioner, you know, sports has a way of uniting us, of uniting our community. Um unlike many other things when we have so much divisiveness. Um, sports has a way to
bring the community together and the nostalgia around this game is just so so missed. Um, so the fact that we're back for another year, we're so excited. Um, as you said, Wednesday, April 15th, which is Jackie Robinson Day across all
of Major League Baseball. This year's game is sponsored by our friends from Meil Lynch. And I'm joined today by Brian Shambo, Scott Schwarz, and Jeremy Schwibner. So, we're so excited. We're also, yes, baseball number one fan, Curtis Carpenter, board member of United Way, and you all know Relle from Jackie
Robinson Training Center. So, we are all so happy to be here in partnership with Major League Baseball. And the game is more about more than just baseball. Um, it is a tribute to Jackie Robinson's enduring legacy. It unites our community
and as you said, raises funds for United Way's 48 programs. We touch one in four people in Indian River County with our programs. Think, look around the room, right? One in four people are supported by our programs. So, the proceeds from the game go to support those vital programs. Um, we
hope you'll join us for this special evening. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 6:00 p.m. followed by the first pitch at precisely 6:42 as a nod to Jackie's number. Um, the game began in 2014 as an annual tradition to honor
Robinson's historic impact on sports and all of society. On April 15th, 1947, he shattered baseball's color barrier by making major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers, not the Yankees, sir.
Right here in Indian River County. And that is often overlooked, the fact that this happened right here in our community. and Holman Stadium played a pivotal role in his story, serving as the first integrated spring spring training facility in all of the South. The game is a testament to the power of
sports and how it inspires, connects, and brings people together for a shared purpose. So, commissioners, we are deeply grateful for your support in making this event possible and for bringing baseball back to our community in a way that also strengthens United Way's mission. Thank you for being part
of the celebration and for all you do to support Indian River County. And we hope to see you all at the ballpark. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Meredith. I couldn't have said it better myself. She's so tremendous, huh? We are so lucky to have great partners in United Way. What they
do is amazing. We couldn't put on this event without them. I have to echo that and thanking county administration and the commissioners. You all have been so supportive on our vision to carry the Jackie Robinson Training Complex into its new era and uh we've been able to do some incredible things including bringing this game back last year and
it's just been a real pleasure to do so and celebrate Jackie's legacy with you all and his impact on this community. So, thank you all for your support and looking forward to see many of you out there on April 15th. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> Good to see you. >> You wearing uniform that day? >> Thank you. Guys, it should be working for us tomorrow. Yeah. >> 100 plus club. >> Why not?
>> When I go to emphasize my >> Sure. >> Yes. >> Our friends from uh Gford Cultural, if you'd like to come up for a photo that t-shirt up here. >> Sorry. >> That was a home run. >> Yeah, we need to document this.
>> Yeah. Why Why didn't we do that, Dan? >> No. Why did we do that? Uh, that was the chairman's fault. >> Oh, she's here. >> The guy in the orange shirt. >> No. Well, they have to be able to find you to get the project done.
>> Orange is appropriate. Look at this lineup. >> The tall guy right in front of you. >> Great presentation. Great feet. See you there. >> Them hurricanes and them gators. It was sad.
>> Yeah, it's fantastic. >> Keep everything straight up hereong the road. >> I'm going with it. Commission commissioners that brings us to the approval of the minutes. We do not have any minutes to approve. The next is theformational items uh for the
commissioners requiring board action. Uh we has a a nice opportunity this morning to recognize uh our office of management budget. Mr. Administrator Yes, Mr. Chairman, members of the board.
See Christine Daniels in the back and she's going to make her way up here. And uh just want to take the opportunity uh the county continues to be in coordination with many of the departments, but large measure due to the to the hard work of Kristen Daniels
and her staff, Elise, Kaylee, Rhonda, Marie. They they do an amazing job every year. And for 35 years in a row, the government financer finance officers association has awarded Indian River County the distinguished budget
presentation award. And that's the same for this current year 2526. And also there was a certificate of recognition been presented to the OM as the department is designated as primarily responsible for having achieved the award. And as I mentioned,
this is the 35th consecutive year. And this dubtales nicely with the effort of the clerk of the court and their audit and their controllers at just a continued uh reinforcement and that the county is committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency. So we
thank Kristen and her team for all her efforts in producing an amazing budget document every year. >> Thank you. We certainly appreciate that. Um, the office works very hard on the book. Uh, hundreds of pages if anyone would ever like to read it page by page.
Um, but there's a lot of great information on all of the departments throughout the county and kind of what they do. So, >> we should. Yeah. >> What? >> We've read it. We've >> You've read it. Oh, thank you. We appreciate that. >> Three times. >> Yeah. And as John mentioned, um, special
thanks to Elise and Kaylee in our office. They worked on on the book this past year and they did a great job. It takes it takes months to get that book out and um yeah, they they really they really do great work on it. So, thank you. We appreciate it. >> Thank you, Kristen. Congratulations.
>> Commissioners, our next item on the agenda is public comment for any items related to the agenda. Hearing none or seeing none, uh I was remiss. I would like to welcome uh Assistant General Counsel Chris Hicks
to the DAS this morning. Welcome Chris. Mr. That brings us to the consent agenda. What's your pleasure? >> Mr. Chair, move approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher
and a second by Commissioner Man. With one discussion item, Mr. administrator on item >> 9B. >> 9B. Yes, sir. >> So, the the the agenda item is correct. We just there's two exhibit A's and we need to remove the second exhibit A
because it's related uh to a different project, fire station 7, but the init the initial exhibit A is correct for the item. >> So, noted and I appreciate uh Attorney Hicks pulling that out for us.
We have a motion and we have a second with the so noted uh item agenda modification. All in favor I >> and the motion carries. Commissioners, the next item will be constitutional officers and government agencies. Uh and
I see in the audience we welcome the honorable Leslie Swan. Welcome. >> Good morning chairman Laura and commissioners. We've been busy at the Supervisor of Elections office and I have a couple of different requests for
you today. First, I am respectfully requesting to have the revenue that we received from verifying initiative petitions rolled back into our 2025 2026 budget. you know, uh, the legislature passed a sweeping, um, initiative
petition bill, and there was a lot of extra costs that we really kind of hadn't anticipated, but we were also allowed to raise our price for verifying those petitions. So, um, I'm looking to have $20,525 roll back into my budget. That's the
first item. The second is we had a special election for the town of Orchid. um they have 531 voters. So, I'm asking to have those funds, which were $1,593 to conduct that election, roll back into
my budget. And then the last part has to do with polling places. Um I'm seeking your approval to move the polling place at the Moose Lodge on 43rd Avenue over to the um IG center um in one of the
rooms for election day. Um we're having some issues with the modeming at the Moose Lodge and so we thought it would be better if we moved it over to the Richardson Center and they've agreed to have us and also we are going to add a
additional polling place because of the growth of the county and that is going to be at the um Mueller campus at the Richardson Center. Did I say the first one was the IG center? >> IG. >> Yeah, IG. And then this one is going to
be at the Richardson Center. >> Commissioners, we have two items. Uh we could hear those separately. What's your pleasure? >> Mr. Chair, uh why don't we go ahead and uh move approval for the two financial requests that will uh ensure that the
supervisor elections uh has is uh funded in return for those uh requests and that she can place them in her uh in back into her budget. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher
and a second by Vice Chair Moss. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? >> I and the motion passes unanimously. >> Commissioner Flesher >> again for the locations. No, but the the
the third item is the locations. Uh I did have a question. Uh uh madam supervisor is this how many locations is this to increase in in relation to the population? >> One.
>> Well, just one. >> Just one. Mhm. The other one we're relocating >> and you have funding for the location. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. >> Sir, move approval. >> Have a motion. I'll second it. Any
further discussion? hearing. None. We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher and a second by myself. All in favor? >> I. >> And the motion passes. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner. The next public item is
will be presented by our OM director, Kristen Daniels, miscellaneous budget amendment. Welcome again, Kristen. >> Thank you. Good morning, commissioners. Kristen Daniels, budget director. Before you today is budget amendment four, which uses cash to fund various items
such as the CIE, rollover purchase orders, board approved projects, and necessary budget amendments. Um, per Florida statute 129.062F, whenever the budget is amended using cash, a public hearing must be held. Uh, so today, staff re recommends that after
the public hearing is held, the board approve the resolution amending the fiscal year 2526 budget. and I am available if you have any questions on the amendment. >> Commissioners, hopefully you had an opportunity to review this. I had an in-depth discussion with Director
Daniels. What's your pleasure? >> Well, we we do have to have a public hearing at this time. Thank you. We will have a public hearing. Anyone want liking to comment on our miscellaneous budget amendments?
We'll free up that microphone. >> Giving ample time for public comment, we will close public comment now. Commissioners, what's your pleasure? >> Approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Adams and a second by Vice Chair Moss. Any further discussions?
Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. And the motion carries. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Daniels. Commissioners, moving right along to department matters under community service 13B1. Uh we have the children's service
advisory committee return on investment presentation. I see we have deputy administrator ZTO and others joining us today. Good morning and welcome. >> Good morning to the chair and to the
commission and our county administrator. We want to thank you so much over the last three years. You have given the autonomy for our staff to build up some really strong oversight measures, working with our agencies, providing professional development, and also
supporting in diversified funding for our our nonprofits and support programs. And today, I'm really excited to um have our human services administrator share the return on investment. And I'm going to give the floor over to Miss Megan Kendrick
>> Bonjouro. commission. I just flew from Italy last night, so it was wonderful. >> We heard we heard all the well. >> So, I've got I was like, it's so much different than waking up in Florence having coffee. So, thank you for having us this morning. Um, today we are going
to quickly talk about the return on investment in children's services. Last year, we did a comprehensive return on investment. Um, the board requested some additional more research, more recent data. So that is what we're going to be presenting to you today. If you want to
see the full return on investment, it is on our website. Oops. So last year when we talked about the return on investment, we showed research that proved anywhere between $2.70
up to $16 was returned for every dollar invested in children. The reason is simple. Prevention cost less than intervention. Programs that support children early help prevent more costly outcomes later in life in healthcare, education,
remediation, social services, and the criminal justice system. Oh, sorry. I thought it was clicking just clicking away. Okay. So, the investment we make here in
Indian River County is not a coincidence. It is based off of our five-year comprehensive needs assessment. This needs assessment is evaluated every year. Um, we talk to local experts across multiple sectors. We go over thousands of pieces of data.
We, like I said, updated annually. Um and within the last two years we have received over a thousand responses from parents and community members on what their local needs are. And with that we have come with three funding priorities. You guys have all
ear heard them but for the public it's health and well-being, nurturing families and communities and success in school and life. So when we show you the new data around the return on investment it is around those funding priorities that were identified in our needs assessment. So, the first new piece of
data came from the March of Dimes 2024 study that showed that nationally one in 10 babies born are premature. That's about $370,000 babies nationally across the United States. This pre-term birth costs the United States about $25.2
billion every year. However, the research shows that with prenatal care, maternal health services, and early health support, they dramatically reduce these risks, saving the taxpayers billions of dollars. The bottom line is that healthy starts save the you save
the US billions and create healthier families, stronger workers, and a stronger economy. The return on investment around health and well-being. Um, this was the center of disease control and prevention in 2024. It showed that each year more than 600,000
children are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect. The CDC estimates that the lifetime economic burden is at 592 billion and that what helps this is parenting, education, family support, and connections to community resources
that will help prevent these crisises before they ever occur. The bottom line here is that healthy starts Whoops. Sorry. We're going to say I have it right here. that the bottom line is when we invest in programs that support our parents and strengthen families, we will have a strong return on investment.
The next is around success in school and life. Nationally, one in three children enter kindergarten not fully ready to learn. This can cost between 15 and $50,000 in educa additional education costs from kindergarten through 12th grade. But the
research does show that high quality early childhood programs generate between 14 and 16% return. The bottom line is early childhood investments prepare children for school while supporting working families so they can go to work and know that their child is
having a safe, healthy environment to thrive in. And finally, this is something that I found very interesting. This is a new study um but it's about disconnected youth. And I think we see this across the board, but about 11% of youth aged 16 through 24 feel
disconnected from both school and work, which is about 4.3 million youth. Over a lifetime, this could cost a million dollars um in one youth. When you look at the juvenile health cost, um the burden that it has to some of our social systems. So what the research does show
is that mentorship, enrichment, and college and career pathways that help youth feel connected will will help us as a community prepare these youth and make them vibrant citizens of the future. Um this all goes back to what the
parents and the caregivers in Indian River County are asking for. We did a survey to see what parents needed. We reached out to community groups. We went to different events all over the county. We had our SESAC funded program, spin it out, word of mouth, social media, and
this is what we found. 82% of people responding to the survey wanted an increase in funding and support through children's services, while 16% m said they would like the maintained funding. Only 2% of all respondents asked for a decrease in
services or funding. What do they want? This goes right in line to what the research shows. They want after school and youth programs. They want housing stability. That's not something um the children's services funds at the time, but it is something that is affecting our families. Um and they want more
access to mental health ser services. Smaller needs, but still important are special needs and inclusion programs, parent and family support, and child care and early learning. Some emerging barriers we saw were food
security and transportation. So these results you're seeing now too are to openended questions. We had I would say probably 90% of the people that filled out the survey put in there a written response which you usually don't see in surveys. So this is truly
what you're hearing from your community. So why is this important in the investment? Um you all know that children services right now has over 21,000 touch points. uh 93% of all stated outcomes for the programs that are funded through children services
have met their outcomes and a 100% of agencies all attended professional development and are using what they're learning to strengthen their program. Um I just want to thank the board again for your continued support. Without you,
this would not be happening and we see it every day um when we go out to site visits and it's just wonderful what is occurring out in the community. There's our references as anybody would like to take a check on them. And with that, I will turn it over if there's any questions.
>> Thank you, Miss Kendrick. Uh I I will say commissioners, I think every one of us have been involved in SEAC at some point in our in our careers, but one thing that stands out to me is the 100% participation uh of the
participant showed up. And in the past, we know that sometimes those could be uh there could be some stragglers to be quite frank with you. And thanks to U Miss Kendrick and Miss Emerson, I think that's truly remarkable. In other words, they know the direction that it's
expected of them and we're very proud of that. >> Yeah. Thank you. In fact, we were just talking to an organization out in um the foyer before we walked in and they said because of some of the professional development and really strengthening their program, they were able to secure
a large amount of money for a capital project by sharing this. So, we are helping um programs not only through the outcomes but really diversify funding so there's less burden on the taxpayer dollar eventually. >> Thank you very much. that we know that
the end result is our children in Indian River County are are healthier, smarter, and hopefully happier. >> Yeah. >> Mers, any further comments? >> Thank you very much, ladies. >> Well, there's one more thing. >> Oh, I know >> I'm not done yet.
>> Uh we are now moving to 13B2. >> Uh and this is the approval of youth internship partnership with Career Source Research Coast Development. Good morning and welcome. >> Good morning, commissioners. >> So, real quick, I just wanted to
introduce Terry Gra. She's with Career Source. Um, when you saw the presentation when we talked about disconnected youth, I think all parents can see it when we're looking at our teenagers in the cell phones and just what's going on today that there has to be opportunity to get them out in the real world. And so I was very fortunate
to meet Terry Gra who is going to speak a little bit about their program, but it's a program where we can bring these youth into our county and provide mentorship, provide guidance, show them all of the career opportunities and wonderful things happening in Indian
River County and hopefully eventually build a very strong pipeline. So with that, I'm going to turn it over to Terry. >> Thank you again. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is my first time presenting, so Bear with me. Um, so my name again is
Terry Gro. Um, I am the workforce career coach for Career Source Youth Connections. We also have an adult, we have an adult side and I work with youth 16 to 24. So our youth connections program um targets um the disadvantaged population.
So we work with high school seniors um in school youth and out of school youth ages 16 to 24 who are unemployed. Um some of them in out of school have not gotten their high school diploma. So we also help with that. Um we connect young
people to um a career pathway postcary education or military and we do that through um our program with a workforce development program. Um, we are funded year round. We have a year- round program, not just a summer program. We
are year- round um uh we are comprehensive program that um is funded by the state of Florida but the department of labor specifically. We are not affiliated with the school. Um we are um just a workforce program.
So in our um program are the participants um that are eligible for our program um we work with uh getting a high school diploma um or their GED attainment. Um the workforce readiness
um program is a five module program that they can get done within two weeks. Um we work with them with life skill training. A lot of our youth come in with um severe anxiety, um depression,
um lack of self-confidence. Um and when they come in, they they don't know how to make eye contact, they are really really petrified. Um but when we discuss what our program does for them and they see a light at the end of the tunnel,
they have a little smile on their face when they leave and they're encouraged um to participate. By the time they leave um they are um more confident, their anxiety has decreased. We have seen so many improvements in their
mental health. Um what we do is we do a career um exploration to determine what area that they want to look into um and what their uh career direction may be. Um, we do
some skills assessment, basic math and reading just to see where their level is and we help them up their skill level as well. Um, the we do short-term vocational training so we can do certificates and things like that like um the surf save
and things um that they can add to their resume um to help them be more marketable. Uh we also help them with resume development. Some of them are coming in with nothing on their resume. They haven't worked. They have no experience. However, we tell them, "What
have you done in your personal life?" Okay, so they've done babysitting. Well, guess what? That's a skill that we we create that res uh that uh job skill and we work it into their resume so they have that experience. Um we also do interview preparation. You
know, some people think it's okay to go to an interview in in jeans uh and a t-shirt. Well, we tell them no, that's that's not the way to do it. Um, so we do those mock interviews and and prep them for that. We also help with job search strategies,
so to determine, you know, where they want to look um what is the labor market information out there. What career are you thinking about that is going to be successful as opposed to being a dead-end job, you know, and not going
anywhere. Um, and the one thing that we actually do is do a paid internship. So, we offer our youth that are eligible and that are ready for work, we offer them a paid internship, $15 an hour for um up
to 32 hours a week for the amount of weeks that it it's going to take to learn that skill. So, as opposed to um a barista which may need like maybe 100 or 120 hours or an administrative assistant
or something higher that may need um 160 200 hours per week. >> And this is the exciting part that we are going to partner with career resource with hopefully um but we're going to have they give them job shadow opportunities for we're going to pilot it in human services but for them to
come in and just see if this is a fit. They do work placement for 25 to 30 hours a week. But the best part is it's a paid internship, meaning that they have skin in the game. There's training, there's accountability, and there's no liability for the county because that all falls under career resources.
>> Absolutely. So, we cover the liability in workers comp for that period of time. We are the workforce career coach. So, we walk with them during that internship and whoever their supervisor is has our personal cell phone and we if there there's anything going on that we need to address, we address it together so
that they can learn that this is how the world of work works. >> Um so, we're very excited. >> Yeah. >> And just the outcomes. >> No, go ahead. No, you can go. Um so finally um the ultimate goal is for employment postcary education
um advanced training of some kind military service but the one key thing is when they're done our program they're not really done. We follow them for the next 12 months. We are their career coach. They are allowed to come back to
us to help them update their resume to um fill out help them fill out their FAFSA for college. now they've decided to go to a college. Um so that's one of the things that uh we you know keep in touch with them. You want to finish on >> and we're just hopeful and excited about
an opportunity to bring youth in connect with them um be mentors and strengthen our community across the board. So thank you for your time. If you have any questions we're here to answer them. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you Mr. Administrator. >> Yes. I just want to uh echo some of the
comments that has been said uh up at the space coast. We partnered with career source and did a very similar program and it was highly successful. Uh we didn't just limit it to seniors. We went down lower to the juniors and and the
the students and and the participants got an opportunity to work in almost every area of local government. You know, from doing natural resources, road and bridge, uh fleet, fire rescue, shadowing, uh working in utilities out
at the water plant, uh doing customer service, working out in the field. uh they did some of the ones in public works did a welding competition which is really good uh and planning building permitting planning development services
building facility services I could as I could think of so I think it's really a great opportunity one to provide you know uh introduce them to public service but also provide a level of support while they're going through this and I
do like the the pipeline component and what Megan had indicated this is a a pilot project with community services. Uh I don't anticipate this not being successful and this is a great opportunity in the future to expand this
and bring many young individuals you know between like 16 24 into you know public service. >> Well thank you Mr. Administrator commissioners. This does require a stamp of approval >> of approval. Second.
>> We have a motion by Commissioner Adams and a second by Vice Chair Moss. Any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor? >> Thank you so much for your time. >> You're welcome. Thank you, commissioners. This meeting will be in recess until 10 a.m.
is over. The time now is 10:00 a.m. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Commissioners, up next is uh something extremely important presented by human resources director Suzanne Bole and this involves the group health insurance
update for March of 2026. >> Good morning, Commissioners. >> Commissioner Flesher. >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead, >> Suzanne Bole, director of human resources. Um, I last met with you on
January 13th and stated that I'd come back in March to give you an update on our health plan performance. Uh we did receive information through December of 2025 on how our health plan is performing and um we are showing for the
first quarter and just to remind everyone our our plan year for the health plan begins October. So we have claims data through December uh for the first quarter and for that first quarter uh we're showing that we are running at
a deficit of $2.01 01 million. Um I do want to put that into perspective though. Um that is one quarter worth of experience. Uh my first three months I am looking at a 31%
uh loss ratio which means for every dollar of premium that comes in a $131 is going out to pay claims. So, I'm 31 cents short on the dollar to to just kind of simplify it. Um, when I look
back historically at the plan's performance over time, uh, we typically look back at a 12-month rolling period. So, if I go back a year and look at how the plan has performed, I have good months, I have bad months, and my loss
ratio is 18%. um meaning for every dollar um I'm 18 cents short. So when I say put it in perspective, this 31 cents on the dollar short is for a rolling 12-month period
um 18 cents short. The trust is still wellunded. Um so we are not, you know, running at risk of not having a well-unded plan. We um we are very well funded. In the agenda item, you can see that our uh trust at of the the balance
at the end of December 2025 was $23.8 million. However, when we look into the uh plan experience, one of the items that we had talked about previously was our GLP1 coverage for weight loss medication. I'm
looking at over $700,000 uh being spent in the first quarter for the GLP1 weight loss medications. Um but again, we have 2.01 million in a shortfall. So I also need to consider
what's happening on my medical uh side of things. And what was really interesting to note in this first quarter uh I had 27 high-cost claimants on the plan. That means I have 27 individual people who had uh major
health events that were over $50,000 in total claims in the first quarter of the plan year. So um that is $2.8 million. uh when I look at last year's first quarter experience from the prior year,
I had 13 high-cost claimments at a cost of a little over a million dollars. So, you can see that on the medical side of things, substantially more um serious medical conditions happened in the first quarter. And with that, I'm going to
pause and uh take any questions. >> Well, thank you, Miss Bole. And and I think everyone up here has been in this business for a while and we've seen the trends and one thing that we've learned is not to overreact when we see
a a particular trend. Um, and I think your our consultants will agree. One thing commissioners uh we do need to have a a healthy discussion so to speak on the weight loss. Uh fact is we've
talked about this for at least 18 months. In fact, last March, we had a significant discussion about it. Uh at some point, uh the direction that we are commissioned with with respect to policy and budget, uh these in fact combine
these decisions will combine both of those items that we are commissioned to do. Um my suggestion in the past to the administrator has been to u notify uh affected employees as well as find the
balance of uh the necessity of the particular weight loss and I would like the administrator to uh further discuss that with our commissioners. Mr. Administrator. >> Yes. Uh Mr. Chair, as we've discussed,
uh there's a couple things we we've not yet notified because this is the first quarter. I mean, I think we're waiting for the second quarter to come in and but uh I think it was made aware during the budget process that we would monitor it. We're doing that. Uh and then the
other thing that's at play is nationally there's with the, you know, the president's RX plan as well as some of the pharmaceuticals. I think there was a deal struck that might offer some alternatives to lower costs, but I don't think that's going to eliminate the
cost. So I I think your point about having a discussion on it is appropriate and at the you know and prior to that and maybe it's the next meeting is we will we will definitely provide our employees notice. We generally want to provide them the notice once a decision's made, you know, but we'll
provide notice in advance. So, if they need to participate and come in and share their story, their experience, but you will definitely want to provide them appropriate notice if we're planning to make a change, whether it be 60 days out or, you know, or whether it's in in
advance of the October 1st the next year. But I I do think it merits with the next quarter that we provide notice to the employees that this discussion would be had at that meeting because as you indicated I mean this is really one
quarter. I mean if you go back and you look at the if you flip the page in the report you'll find that there was uh we had something like seund or 76 some claims that were high cost last year. Hopefully
this levels out. Uh some of them to the tune of close to $400,000 or at least one or two of them. And right now we're at aboutund some thou I think $126,000. And when you look at the claims, there is no specific there's a wide variety of
claims, you know, from from issues with a pre-term pregnancy, a premature premature pregnancy, some uh some cancer, just some some things that have hit and catastrophic events and that it's not it shouldn't be, you know,
looked at that that this is a trend. I think we should wait and see. My recommendation would be to get the because we're it's at March now, we'll be getting the the second quarter results in shortly and then coming come back and and have that dis that healthy
discussion and well before the uh the budget preparation for the next fiscal year. >> Well, I appreciate that Mr. Minister. One thing that we we should keep in mind although uh we have to look at this obviously in two categories one being the prescription obviously the other
being medical and as previously stated the medical sometimes can can fluctuate and trend differently we all know that uh my follow-up question uh Suzanne would be through the years when we've talked about u the weight loss we
thought or perhaps uh hoped that our medical claims would be down i.e. knees, back, anything that would be associated with weight loss. Uh however, we have not seen that. In fact, we've seen uh
one would argue the opposite. Uh to my fellow commissioners, I this thing is going backwards in a hurry. Uh and I think a decision and we're tasked with that. We we we can kick the can if we want. Uh but at some point uh listen,
sometimes bad news is not good news. Uh and particularly when you're when you notify employees of of certain things. Um and this could perhaps be the case. So uh I think we need to be statesmen and we need to stand up and look after
the taxpaying dollars and and make a decision. If we desire to wait a quarter, uh you're you're trending uh in other words treading water, Commissioner Flesher. And I see you have something to add. >> Well, uh, once again, uh, this has, uh,
taken on many different avenues as we were discussing GLP1 and at the time, uh, the cost factor was overwhelming, but there was no alternative.
There are there is a multitude of of alternatives that are less than 25% of the expense. It sounds like we're looking at uh again none of us are medical practitioners and
this is uh a decision between the doctor and uh or the prescribing entity and the patient, the employee, the employees family member. But what
what are we actually doing by saying we'll wait another quarter is we're just kicking the can down the road. And how far do we want to do it? I recall uh uh on one of our more recent conversations
that you had said, look, you know, we're going to bring this back. And uh I did hear the county administrator say that we were going to monitor the situation. Well, we've done that. We've monitored the situation. There has been no
reduction and other employees uh do have medications that are not covered, can't be covered, and their their life depends upon it. They are uh continual prescriptions.
um uh you know whether it it be uh a maintenance medication, it's just not covered yet will cover something that is as such a high price. I think we need to
reduce it now and give the employees notice so that they can make the appropriate plans with the doctor and or prescribing entity and they can
still receive the benefit of this uh weight loss reduction medication in in a different avenue in a different way. and far less of a burden to our system where it's actually compromising
the uh health availability for other medications because this expense is so high. Obviously, our provider is is going to look at the cost of doing business, which is going to reflect back to us,
the county, uh, and in as far as dollars, but it's also going to reflect on what medications are covered and what medications are not covered. And if we're the willing buyer,
we'll buy it all. I think we have to stop it. and be realistic about the new opportunities that are there for the patients, for the practitioners,
and for the people that we serve. >> Thank you, Commissioner Adams. >> Yes. So, um, I was under the impression that this item was an update, but it sounds like you guys want to push into some decision, which just to be
completely honest, I'm not comfortable with making that decision today because this was supposed to be an update and that's what we're here to be updated upon. And then if you want to set a course for a future decision point, I'm totally fine with that. But I would have questions that I would want to be
presented as part of that decision-making process. one. It looks like the numbers are actually down for the GLP ones over last year. So, I want to see that. I want to see that graph. I would like to see what we're doing in
the way of wellness if we're going to take that away. Commissioner Flesher, you talk about all these other options, but there really isn't any options on our plan other than this. We don't pay for nutritionists. We don't pay um for gym memberships and things of that
nature which would support people's weight loss journey. We don't pay for um weight loss counseling under this. So if you want to get people off of medication and have them create healthy habits and choices, those are things that you need
to provide for. So, I'd like to see what those options are, what we are doing, what we're not doing, what we might be able to add that would be a lower cost and a longer term um option for people to give them those skill sets. Uh but also, you know, I don't think that I
would also like to see that which our our plan covers all the constitutionals. Correct. >> Correct. So, it's I don't think it's completely accurate to say that all of our employees may or may not be um the
only affected ones are the ones utilizing that resource. There are several different constitutionals with large employee bases. I don't know if we can see the breakdown um that way, but I would be interested to see where the
majority of those costs are coming from, whether it's Indian River County specific or a different office. Um, and I think that they need to be put on notice that that conversation is happening because if you're going to impact, it's not just our employees at this point. we're talking about other
people's employees and if we're going to impact them with a decision, they have a right to know about that decision and be part of the conversation before we just unilaterally make it. So those are my comments for today. >> Agreed. Mr. Chairman, I just I heard was
pointed out about options. The options aren't plans. the medications are now available that are greatly reduced in the burden to the system and the uh the
medications again not a practitioner none of us are however uh new products have become available that all are all alternative I didn't mean that there was options like
you know diet plans and uh you health programs. Uh they there are some that are available and uh but the medications themselves have greatly
dropped with uh uh new products on the market that do exactly the same thing. And we had talked about that because I know the the the the president has uh make made a move for certain prescriptions to be reduced and that
will also help us out. But there are already existing options for this medication or a similar medication to be utilized. Again, it's a weight reduction therapy.
So, Commissioner Adams, I'm hearing that you would you would like a a more rob more robust uh analysis of who, what, when, where, why. >> Yeah, I think if I don't I mean I think it's a great conversation to have. We have been talking around it, so we may
as well just have it. But I would like to see a little bit more detail to base that conversation on. Great. >> And it's not lost on us that in a few days will be the end of the second quarter. uh and always being mindful of our budget preparation for healthc care
expenses and also uh some of those options that you mentioned uh who would and how would those be paid for? Would that be a wash so to speak? Don't know. Uh I know that we have our uh consultants present and it sounds like
uh we need to get the information and make a solid decision. Uh and I don't know that we can wait another two months for an update. >> So Mr. Chair, and I don't disagree and I don't we're not trying to I'm not advocating we kick the can down the
road. just advocating the fact that we get the results from the second quarter which is as to your point that is because we did say mid year we would come back at it but we've have updates we've been monitoring it we've talked with Marathon Health about alternatives with our employees and those that you
you know use the clinic uh the January update was really kind of focused on while it discussed the GLP1s it was looking at the prior year plan performance because it was closed out so This is really the first opportunity to
look at the first quarter. So, but to your point in days, you know, seven days we will be done with the second quarter. I don't know how quick those numbers can be turned around and we can have that conversation. >> Well, I I can tell you that um each year
we come back before the board regarding our upcoming plan year and that's in the May uh June time frame to discuss the plan features for the upcoming plan year. Um we have been having a lot of discussions uh Lockton and I regarding
the options. Uh Commissioner Flesher, you're you're you're right. There's so many different things coming on the market and and it it every week there's something new. So um uh one of the really important things to consider is
we do have um you know 237 members um of of our group plan who are utilizing the GLP1 weight loss medication and they are um seeing a lot
of substantial improvement in their own personal lives and um I think it's important that we have a plan in place to transition them to uh to help them with that if if the plan decision is and it's looking like it it financially may
need to be that way um that we remove the GLP1s as a covered medication for weight loss on the plan then we do want to have something in place for them to move to and we want to make sure that um that is well thought out and that that
transition is well communicated. Uh we have been looking at nutrition support. Uh we are vetting out certain programs right now. I actually have um uh someone um on our group plan that's beta testing um an option that is available uh right
now and they were very very um impressed with it from a it was actually like a a tele medicine virtual visit uh with a nutritionist and um we'd be looking at either a lowcost or nocost uh nutrition
support on the plan. We do have some preliminary um analysis that says that the the impact of that is quite negligible to the plan because the costs are like $65 a visit as opposed to you know $1,000 for the medication. Uh we're
looking at um you know uh getting the information as what type of nutrition support benefit makes sense. Uh is it a certain number of visits at zero copay? Is there to go beyond a certain number of visits? Does there need to be like a prior authorization
um process? So, we are looking at a lot of a lot of those things that you mentioned. >> When you look at those, do you ask the employee what they may or may not need? Do you put out any kind of survey or request for feedback on what would
actually be utilized and be helpful? >> Uh we have not to date done that. Um that is something that we could send out a um global member survey related to GLP1s. Um >> I think it would be helpful to find out
what kind of benefit would be a benefit that people would actually use and find >> beneficial. >> Yeah. And and I didn't I didn't mention this either. Um the nutrition support could be in person as well. it doesn't
need to be um uh simply through a uh a virtual visit because some people do like the in-person as well. Um and then we're also uh considering uh whether it makes sense to have uh some on-site support through the health center uh for
a nutritionist. So there's a lot of different options to consider. Um and then the various programs that'll be available um as members uh maybe want to transition or stay on the GLP1 but transition to the um the self-pay
options which are much more affordable uh than what the plan uh medication costs are. So Susan, so when because I I don't disagree with the need for a conversation potentially sooner than later. And so I guess the question is either between
with you or with Lockton. When can we get the final numbers after the second quarter closes? How quickly can we get those for the purposes of evaluating and the board can make a decision? And then from there based on that decision with
options and some answering some of the questions that have been raised here for the purposes of notifying the employee we would notify them that the discussion was going to happen but after the decision was made then we would notify them what the the date is. So when do you think how how quickly can you turn
these numbers around? >> So right now we have right now we have everything updated through February. Um, so March data should be available and updated in our system by the end of April. Um, so timing wise for a commission meeting. I
know that there's two weeks required prior to the date of that meeting. So would probably be looking at the second meeting of May. So, so I mean if if I had with given the fact that there's some flexibility with the agenda if I could get if could it be
possibly the first of May if we >> the first meeting >> the first meeting in May since you know I don't think I think it's important the reason why I say the first meeting in May is because that's when budgets are being entered and I think we're starting
to look at that and I think we need to understand the impact and not wait till the second meeting of May. But and I think that also might provide time for your Suzanne for you your staff to re continue researching these things that we've been discussing from since
December November. >> So I mean we we have monitored and discussed alternatives. So I think we're prepared to kind of come forward and and have that discussion if if the board is willing. I just I think you need to know that the that the midyear thing is what
we said before and so we just want to kind of follow through with that and I think if if we commit to the first meeting in May if if if the board would indulge that we don't want to kick the can down the road but that would give us help form the the budget process for
next year. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes. Yes sir. Um, I got to agree. I agree with Commissioner Adams. I think I was expecting an update. I was expecting to discuss a specific thing with the GLP
and other and other things because it sounds like from what HR told us that that you know, yeah, we're looking at trends. Trends vary from quarter to quarter, month to month, year to year. We need to take a m maybe
a deeper dive into this to look and I'm not insinuating or anything about kicking the can down the road. I don't think we've done that yet and I don't think we're going to do that. I think we know better than to do something like that. But it just seems like there's a
lot of possible options here as we got further in the conversation. I've heard everything from, you know, the Feds knocking the price down, what different things we can do. I think we need to look at some of those options such as such as Commissioner Adams said is we
need to get a little more information and and hard information and make a decision. I mean, we've got not only HR and finance to look at this, but we've got these ladies from Lockton that can invite a lot and actually I'd like to hear what they have to say. They've
listened to the conversation we've had for the last 15 minutes and and see what they have to say about this. But I mean there may be things that we could do as easy as as as a co-pay change or or some
of the stuff that Suzanne mentioned. I mean there there may be a lot of options. I'm not financially worried today, but I think it it would do us due justice to to look at this in the first of May and say where are we going with this and and what what do we need to do
because this is important information. And this is life-changing for some people and and we don't want to make the wrong decision and and do something drastic and take that away. So I think we need to weigh our options, but I would like to hear what these ladies have to say if they have anything to say
about it. >> Yes. Thank you so much. So Rachel Freriedman with Locked In. Nice to see you all again. You know, listening to the conversation, I think this is the tone that we're hearing from across our book of business of clients who are covering weight loss GLP1s today. Um so
those who are still covering have looked at various tactics from increasing cost share on the member for those GLP1s. Um but at the end of the day those members will still you know be reaching their out-of- pocket maximums. And so shifting that cost share to a higher co-pay is
really a nominal impact to the overall cost that we're seeing of these medications. And so really, you know, the the overwhelming response is that clients are ceasing covering and pushing that responsibility back on the member through these more affordable, you know,
direct to manufacturer programs that are available where the costs now have come down significantly. Another trend that we're seeing is that some employers are choosing to subsidize a portion of those cash pay options through HRA programs where they're funding a small dollar
amount onto a health reimbursement account card and then those members can use that to pay for those lower cash pay options. So that's a trend that we're seeing slowly being adopted as well. It's not too prevalent yet, but that's one of the newest options that we're
seeing. But, you know, the the costs of these medications are just unsustainable. So, we're seeing continued rise in the amount of utilizers taking them. The cost of the medications through the plan are significantly more than those cash pay
options. And so, as a result, we're seeing these medications trend significant um year-over-year. I think our stats are 183% per member per month increase in the last several years, and we expect that to continue. But I'll let Tresa, our pharmacy consultant, chime in
with any other specifics. >> Yeah. No, you're right that there are a number of direct to consumer programs out there for members as low as $199 a month for some of the uh tablet options out there up to $450 for some of the
injectable, you know, highest strength medications. Um you're right with the Trump RX, it kind of taps into um some of the direct to consumer program. So, not necessarily a new program there. It kind of just redirects members to those direct to consumer options and more and
more coming. I know the pharmacy benefit manager that you guys are currently with. Um, they are trying to develop a program that would allow employers to tap into those direct to consumer prices. Um, but that's something that they're building building it pretty quickly. So, I would hope in the next
couple of months we would hear from them where instead of you paying, you know, $1,000 a month for the medicine, you could be tapping into some of those lower costs that's run through the plan, and it wouldn't be the member having to go outside of the plan. It would keep it all there, count towards their out-of-
pocket and deductible if they had one. So, there is a lot changing frequently. Um, so hopefully in the next month or two, you know, we've also had one of the manufacturers say that beginning 11 127 they are going to allow plans to tap
into the cost. But, you know, it's a lot of talk right now. We know, you know, members just going direct and getting that 199 to 449 is the thing that's solid and they're out there. And we do have a number like Rachel mentioned, I know most all of the clients that I have
that covered these meds remove coverage for this year. So that is a growing trend and you guys would not be outside of the norm if you did that. >> You're stating that there are generics available. >> There are no generics available at this
time. No, they're not. >> There's alternatives. >> There are uh direct to consumer. So, a member could go direct to the manufacturer of those drugs and get it at a reduced cost
>> as they do with cannabis and Botox >> possibly. I hadn't necessarily heard that. >> Well, we we don't I I don't think we don't cover the cannabis or the >> No, we botox in any way, right? uh Botox
actually for migraines is covered >> for migraines for the specific >> yes for a diagnosis. Correct. >> I'm just saying that and there are many medications that we u that the employees
whether they're constitutional or uh from the uh county uh commission. they're compelled to go with the alternative or >> correct I think you're kind of going towards you know there's the Mark Cuban
pharmacy out there Amazon pharmacy where a lot of times members can buy generic drugs or other medications directly from those who are sourcing it directly from the manufacturer and the cost is lower there. So some people decide to go outside of their plan especially if they
have a high deductible or something of that nature. Um, so yes, similar to that. >> Thank you. >> Okay, commissioners, we've uh essentially come to a consensus on a meeting in May. I would strongly recommend that you be prepared to make a
decision upon that date. Uh, today seems a little bit like Groundhog Day to me by hearing the same uh let's hurry up and wait on the trends. Uh, so be prepared for the meeting in May to make a decision. Thank you, Miss Bow.
>> Thank you, >> commissioners. That brings us to our next item, which is again with Miss Kristen Daniel through office of management budget children service funding allocation for fiscal 2627.
Welcome again, director Daniel. >> Hello again, Kristen Daniels, budget director. Um, as Commissioner Laura mentioned before you today is the children's services funding that you'll be awarding for the upcoming fiscal year in 2627. So, keeping pace with the board's direction previously to fund
children's services at 1/8 of a mill, staff is recommending the board adopt the same allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. So, that would increase the funding for next year by $299,346 or 8.6% for a total of $3,778,838 for children services programs in the
upcoming fiscal year. Commissioners, what's your pleasure? As we know, we are all patiently and some optimistically watching the Florida legislature with respect to what could perhaps happen next fiscal
year. Uh so I would suggest that we all be mindful in decisions that we make for this upcoming fiscal year. >> Mr. Chair, I'd be happy to move staff's recommendation. I think it um includes a robust, you know, a a step forward um
even if it is a smaller increase, but it is within parameters that we could deal with if depending on what happens with property taxes and it will allow to reach more um more children and and program support. We have a we have a
motion and we have a second by Commissioner Flesher and uh I certainly understand that and I will yield to Commissioner Adams since her involvement with CESAC. Commissioner Man. >> Yeah, that's that's it. >> We have a motion. Comm administrator,
>> I just want to remind the board the funds that you're allocating this year for for next year are funds that were collected this year. So we're so we're not like tapping into next year's tax dollars. Yeah, >> thank you. >> Thank you.
>> You saved the day, administrator. >> We have a motion. We have a second. Any further discussion? All in favor? I. And the motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Director Daniels. Up next, commissioners. Item 16B with
the solid waste authority. Uh, I see our team in the back. It appears to be director department headachu meth. >> Welcome.
>> Good morning commissioners, managing director of the solid waste disposal district. Um believe the first is the approval of the bringdown certificate. >> Just wanted to confirm >> the approval of the bringown
certificate. >> Oh, I'm sorry. just sorry but just pause it. >> I didn't hear that part. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um so related to this item uh basically between the bank and no pro uh
this is a sort of a process between the two companies. They just want to verify that there's no outstanding items for from the county's perspective. Uh both uh staff and legal have reviewed um you know we have not taken any exemptions to the agreement. Everything that was
originally uh contemplated in the agreement uh was successful as most of you were there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The plant is up and running. Uh so this is a sort of a customer process between the bank and no pro uh and they require the chairman to sign
this bringdown certificate uh to ensure that there's no outstanding issues uh with the project. So staff recommends approval of the bringdown certificate. >> Thank you. Uh, commissioners, I've spoken in detail with Mr. Hicks as well
as the county administrator and I am comfortable with this item. >> We have approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Adams for approval. We have a second by Commissioner Fletcher. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I. And the
motion carries. Good morning again, Himach. Item 16B2. >> Good morning, commissioners. Uh the next item is the approval of change orders to SCS for the landfill gas well project. Um as we're working with no pro to try
to capture as much gas as possible. Uh we had a project where we uh back in November of 2024 uh for the installation of 10 additional gas wells. And uh there was a total approval of $560,000 with some contingency funding that could
be approved via change orders from the county administrator. Uh staff uh uh requested approval of two change orders from the county administrator. Uh basically uh the project uh is was over
the original approval by about $36,000. And so the purpose of this agenda item is to just get board approval to approve the change orders that the county administrator made uh based on the original approval as well as some additional funding of of 36,323.
Um and uh that brings the total project cost to 596 323. I'm happy to answer any questions you have. Commissioner Flesher, >> it's Hamachu. As as far as no pro, they are gassy. >> Yes.
>> And we knew from the onset that there would be a possibility of having to place a few more straws into the mound. >> Exactly. Uh, Commissioner, the landfill is continuing to grow every day. Uh and as we sort of continue to build a
landfill, we need to continue to expand our gas system even just for our reasons to control odors to uh reduce the likelihood of fires and so on and so forth. But having the RNG project also allows us to capture the gas uh sort of
fresh gas if you will. Uh so there will there it was always projected that as the landfill continues to grow, we would add additional gas wells. Um we're we're partnering with them. I think uh uh this not these set of 10 wells, there was some additional work that was done. No,
Petro is starting to also uh participate in funding of of of gas expansion. Uh the next expansion that we're we're in discussion with them now that would come back to the board at a future time. Uh they're looking to actually do a lot of the work themselves and pay for the
work. So uh so it's it's really so far a good partnership. Uh we definitely need to continue to capture as much gas as quickly as we can. Uh it's good for the environment and it's certainly good for the partnership with no petrol >> and their capacity has risen
>> in more recently uh than it was in the very beginning when we when we went and they had temporary lines and right >> they expanded it and they're willing to they'll be uh bearing some of this cost
factor too with connections. >> Yes. We'll approve. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Flesher and a second by Commissioner Adams. Commissioner Man, your comments. How how have your pressures been out there? The gas pressureures been good been good.
>> Yeah, we we're definitely uh we have a lot more monitoring going on there. Uh you know, the team is actively monitoring every gas well, making sure everything is working well. uh minimizing the water in the wells, trying to you know capture capture gas.
Uh we're one of the one of the challenges and it's the reality I think uh they're working with Florida City Gas. Florida City Gas is trying to expand their infrastructure in Indian River County. Um so for for example a situation occurred uh I think it was
last week where one of the primary users is actually the uh lie evaporator that we have on site that uses the gas the pipeline gas and um and there was some shutdown there uh for just the weekend and no Petro didn't have the capacity in
the Florida city gas line if you will to to inject what they're producing. So, so there was a little bit of little bit of delay, but I think that kind of is is there also to motivate Florida City Gas to continue their infrastructure and expand their lines throughout Indian River County. I think they're working on
a a project to take some of this gas all the way to the barrier island. So, it's a big project on their end, but but yeah, we're certainly uh pulling everything we can and and uh the project is moving forward. Sounds good. >> Mr. We have a motion and we have a second. Any further discussion? hearing
none. Those in favor I >> thank you >> commissioners. This nearly concludes the meeting for public comment. Any non-aggenda related matters. If you have any public comment, please come forward. Hearing none and seeing none, time now
is 10:42 and this meeting is adjourned.