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Transmitted Electronically 0dober 29, 2021 To: Joseph Flescher, Chairman, Indian River Board of County Commissioners Jason Brown, Administrator, Indian River Board of County Commission From: Terry Burroughs, Commission — Okeechobee County, Chair of the Small County Coalition 76" &wmip4 Chris Doolin, Executive Consultant to the Small County Coalition Chr& DOOtb'l. Re: Request Consideration by the Indian River Board of County Commissioners to become a participating member of the Small County Coalition As the Chairman of the Small County Coalition, I want to convey that the Small County Coalition leadership would very much like to have the Indian River County Commission consider becoming a participating member of the Coalition. I and other commissioners have requested that I reach out to your commission with the specific request to join with 39 other commissions that are currently Coalition members. The Small County Coalition was established in 1991, at the request of legislators from small counties, to help bring a clear focus on and support for issues pertaining to small and rural counties. Since its creation, the Coalition has worked with the legislature, state agencies and vario-as organization to encourage positive policies and programs that address the challenges faced in Florida's small communities. The Coalition was not created nor is it structured to conflict with the Florida Association of Counties. In fact, the Coalition works closely with the Florida Association of Counties to ensure the internal policies and elected leadership reflect the diversity that exists in our 67 counties. The strong participation of the Small County Coalition members has had the effect of strengthening the state association through increased participation, advocacy, and collaboration. Regarding membership in the Small County Coalition - It is our request that you schedule an opportunity for the Commission to join the Coalition. The annual participation fees are set at $4,850.00. The fees are a one-time a year charge, there are no additional registration fees or assessments. If the Commission joins two members of the Commission would be designated to serve as I.R.'s appointments to the Coalition's Board of Directors. In addition, we would request that a lead staff person be designation to serve as the staff liaison. All commissioners are welcome to attend Coalition activities and any of the commissioners are able to serve as a voting proxy if the designated Board member is not present. Attached are two documents — 1. A document showing the participation of Small Counties and Commissioners from small counties in the Small County Coalition and on the FAC Board and Policy Committees. 2. A form to complete listing the designated participants for the Coalition Board of Directors. Finally, the Coalition will be holding its Fall Lunch Meeting on Thursday, November 181 in conjunction with the FAC Legislative Conference. We would be pleased if we could announce that Indian River County Commission had become a participating member of the Coalition at that time. Please feel free to call me at 863-697-6325 or Chris Doolin — our Executive Consultant at 850-508-5492 or any our members or any of the FAC leadership if you need to get additional information or affirmation of how we operate or the strength of our relationship with the state association. Thank you for your consideration — we look forward, hopefully, to a positive response to this request. cc — Small County Coalition Executive Committee Members 148