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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final January 17, 2023 current housing market, a proposal of three (3) to six (6) months was suggested. Commissioner Flescher was not in favor of negotiating the time frame after the candidate had been hired and wanted it stated in the Ordinance, he favored a 3 -month time limit. Vice President of Black Swan Consulting Joseph Paladin added his support for the recommendation from staff. A motion was made by Commissioner Moss, seconded by Vice Chairman Adams, to approve staffs recommendation as written. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 3 - Chairman Earman, Vice Chairman Adams, and Commissioner Moss Nay: 2 - Commissioner Flescher, and Commissioner Loar 13.B. 23-0025 City of Vero Beach Water, Wastewater and Reclaimed Water Franchise Agreement Recommended Action: The County Attorney's Office recommends that the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners approve the proposed franchise agreement and authorize the chair to execute the franchise agreement and any other documents necessary to effectuate the franchise agreement. Attachments: Staff Report COVB Draft Agreement County Attorney Dylan Reingold presented the proposed Franchise Agreement (Agreement) between Indian River County and the City of Vero Beach. He stated Indian River County staff and the City of Vero Beach staff had worked together to negotiate a new water, wastewater, and reclaimed water franchise agreement to cover those unincorporated areas currently served by the City of Vero Beach (City). The proposed franchise agreement would be for thirty (30) years and may be renewed for an additional 15 -year period. Under the proposed franchise agreement, the rates for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water utility services charged by the City to the customers in the unincorporated areas of Indian River County shall not exceed the rates charged to customers within the same rate classes within the incorporated area of Vero Beach. Also, under the proposed franchise agreement, the City would provide a level of service in the unincorporated areas that were not inferior to the level of service provided to those customers within the City. Attorney Reingold stated he was aware the Town of Indian River Shores (Town) and residents in the South Barrier Island had significant concerns with the agreement. Attorney Reingold responded to Chairman Joe Earman's question if the franchise agreement interfered with any of the continuing legal issues that the Town and the City currently faced. He stated the Town and the City had entered into a stipulation that Indian River County Florida Page 17