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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final May 16, 2023 <br />perform a feasibility study to have Sector 4 declared an Engineered Beach for full <br />restoration. Costs to study and secure permits were given for both options. <br />Obstacles included obtaining easements, the rising cost of sand, and funding, as <br />Federal and State funds were not an option in either scenario, even with the <br />revised classification. <br />Chairman Earman discussed timing of Option 1 (dune only) with Mr. Charest who <br />estimated late November or early December as the best case scenario. The <br />Chairman also suggested reaching out to the County's State representatives for <br />assistance. <br />Commissioner Moss made a motion to approve both of the BSPAC's <br />recommendations. Commissioner Flescher seconded the motion for discussion <br />purposes. The Commissioners entered into discussion with Mr. Charest who <br />informed that due to classification requirements and the way sand -loss was <br />calculated, the County would not be eligible to receive state or federal assistance <br />regardless of which BSPAC recommendation the County pursued. He elaborated <br />that a dune -only project (Option 1) was estimated to cost $50,000 to <br />study/permit and $5 million to restore the dunes. Option 2 was estimated to cost <br />up to $600,000 to study/permit and similar renourishment projects had cost <br />upwards of $20 million. <br />Commissioner Flescher withdrew his second for the motion on the floor. <br />Discussion continued with concerns for securing easements, funding, and the <br />access challenges specific to Sector 4. Commissioner Moss restated her motion <br />to direct staff to pursue a dune -only project. <br />The Chairman called for a recess at 12:38 p.m., and reconvened the meeting at <br />12:46 p.m. with all members present. <br />Chairman Earman invited public comments to the discussion and motion on the <br />floor. <br />James Harpring, Town Manager, Town of Indian River Shores (Town), made <br />mention that this sector represented a disproportionately large amount of ad <br />valorem revenue for the County, and expressed appreciation for the Board's <br />willingness to address their needs. He pledged assistance from residents in the <br />Town, and urged the Board also to consider a long-term plan for this area of the <br />beach. <br />David Fisher, Town resident. expressed support for the motion, noting the dunes <br />were an important defense for infrastructure. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 18 <br />