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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final goals. July 2, 2024 The community forums were a new initiative for children's services that focused on different funding priorities. The initiative aimed to explore available research, current programs in the community supporting these funding priorities, and the next steps to create a robust return for taxpayers. Commissioner Earman described the community forum as outstanding, with transparency, openness, organization, and clear communication of their duties and mission. He mentioned that some questions were raised but addressed professionally and politely without becoming contentious. Staff was very professional with the individuals requesting funding. They provided suggestions and ideas on how to improve. Fifty-six (56) proposals asked for a total of 3.4 million dollars, and they remained within the budget. The CSAC spent less than the allocated budget by not using 128,000 dollars. He commended them for their fmancial prudence and thanked the staff for their hard work. Commissioner Earman expressed support for approving the funding. Commissioner Loar mentioned that it was essential for the public to know that the Commissioners were kept informed through email every step of the way. He stated his was a refreshing change from last year. It was beneficial to have a clear understanding of the direction the CSAC was heading in and to have offline conversations with Ms. Emerson and others to address any challenges that arose during the process. He stated it was natural to encounter difficulties along the way, and overall, he supported the process. The following people came before the Board to express their support or concerns. CSAC member Michael Kint thanked the staff who played a vital role in this effort, including Human Services and Community Services, for starting the evolution of what CSAC was in the past into what it was today. Pelican Island Audubon Society's Executive Director, Donna Halleran, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the children of Indian River County. Over the past ten years, former students had become college environmental educators, and some had returned to volunteer at the Audubon summer camps. She stated increasing family involvement had been a challenge, but the Audubon's collective efforts contributed to the children's overall well-being, growth, and education. CSAC member Doug Demuth contradicted that the budget was underspent by $128,000, as Commissioner Earman had stated. He stated that the $168,000 Indian River County Florida Page 18