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Filing # 108348105 E -Filed 06/03/2020 04:22:36 PM <br />IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT <br />IN AND FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />SCHOOL BOARD OF <br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, <br />FLORIDA, <br />Plaintiff, <br />v. <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, <br />Defendant. <br />CASE NO: 312020CA000330 <br />ORDER GRANTING COMPLAINT FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS <br />THIS MATTER is before the Court on the Plaintiff's Emergency Complaint for Writ of <br />Mandamus, filed on May 20, 2020, pursuant to Rule 1.630, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. The <br />Court having read the Complaint and the responsive pleadings, and having heard argument on June <br />3, 2020, and being otherwise duly advised on the premises, finds as follows: <br />In August 2016, Indian River County voters approved via ballot referendum an Essential <br />Operating Needs school district ad valorem millage of 0.50 mills for four years, which will expire <br />at the end of fiscal year 2020-2021. <br />On April 28, 2020, the School Board met and approved Resolution 2020-09, which <br />indicated that the Board had determined that it was in the best interest of the students of Indian <br />River County to submit to the voters the question of continuing the ad valorem millage of a .050 <br />mill for four years for essential operating needs, to provide high quality educational opportunities <br />for all students, recruit and retain high-quality educators, create technology -rich classrooms, and <br />expand supports for school safety and mental health. The resolution directed the Board of County <br />Commissioners of Indian River County to call an election in conjunction with the August 18, 2020 <br />primary, at which electors within the school district may vote on the continuation of an ad valorem <br />millage of 0.50 mill for four years, as authorized in § 1011.73(2), Florida Statutes (2019).1 <br />On May 12, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners met and voted to place the <br />matter on the ballot, but for the November 3 general election, rather than the August 18 primary <br />election, citing greater voter turnout as the reason. <br />On May 13, the School Board wrote a letter to the Board of County Commissioners, <br />asking them to reconsider the decision, and citing various reasons why it is important that the <br />millage extension referendum be on the August ballot. Although the current millage is in place <br />' See Exhibit A to Complaint <br />1 <br />9 <br />