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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final September 23, 2025 <br />patients to and from the facility. Mr. Velis emphasized the difference between a <br />medical detox program and a sober house which was not a medical facility. He <br />noted the patients were local professionals who had private medical insurance, <br />and pushed back against the stigmatization of substance abuse. He added that <br />patients would be dropped off by family or Uber Health, not ambulances, and <br />detailed the security safeguards in place. The opening was estimated to be at the <br />beginning of 2026. The Board entered into discussion with the Applicants <br />regarding the source of their patients, safety measures, and the length of treatment. <br />Diana Hannett, a patient of Dr. Prescott, listed the benefits to the community in <br />establishing the detox facility, and addressed concerns regarding crime rates, <br />traffic, security, and monitoring. <br />Anthony Leon, Resident, objected to the non -security. <br />The following parents from the North County Charter School spoke out against <br />the location of the detox center, and their fears regarding the safety of their <br />children. They stated an understanding of the need for the facility, but urged the <br />Board to consider an alternate location. <br />Carla DiBenedetto <br />Susan Aguire <br />Connor Pickering <br />Allie Duperry <br />Chelsea Arts <br />The Board addressed the concerns of the community, emphasized the security <br />surrounding the school, and expressed the clinical nature of the center which <br />handled privately insured patients. <br />Lalita Janke, spoke in favor of the facility to serve an population that did not have <br />access to medical care. <br />Carrie Lester, CEO of Thrive IRC, expressed empathy for safety concerns, but <br />noted the treatment center was akin to dialysis or chemotherapy. She suggested <br />the real danger lay in untreated alcoholism and its effects. <br />Don Wright, operator of the former assisted living facility, noted there have been <br />people living there for more than 20 years who also overcame addiction with no <br />problems to the surrounding community. <br />There being no further comments, the Chairman moved to staff s final <br />presentation. <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 15 <br />