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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final September 9, 2025 Commissioner Earman expressed concerns about the appropriateness of the proposed increase, given Attorney Shuler's $200,000 salary and the different evaluation processes for contract employees. Vice Chairman Loar supported establishing a formal appraisal system and suggested a progressive pay structure in the next contract addendum. Chairman Flescher raised concerns about previous unapproved disbursements and questioned the fairness of increasing compensation for high earners amidst budget constraints. Commissioner Adams emphasized the need for equitable treatment of all employees, highlighting the importance of performance appraisals and recommending the adoption of an addendum to align Attorney Shuler's contract with those of other County employees. Commissioner Moss thanked Commissioner Adams for clarifying issues and emphasizing the urgency of addressing concerns regarding the Human Resources Director and payroll audit delays. She proposed more frequent evaluations for the Attorney and Administrator and highlighted the need to update the outdated Administrative Policy Manual. Chairman Flescher added that the interpretation of the contract document was varied, explaining that while cost -of -living adjustments are standard, progressive pay based on employee satisfactory evaluations was unclear in the contract. He expressed concerns about the transition from one-year to three-year contracts without necessary adjustments, stressing that the focus on whether progressive pay was a benefit or salary was misdirected. Commissioner Adams raised issues related to benefit disparities among contract employees, urging for equal rights and benefits for the Attorney and Administrator. She called for clarity and the explicit inclusion of supportive language in their contracts, advocating for a fair process to ensure these benefits were implemented appropriately. She proposed a motion to approve an addendum to the County Attorney's contract, which would allow for annual approval by the Board. She also suggested consideration of similar language in other agreements, but expressed that she was fine with the addendum as presented. Commissioner Earman expressed concerns about the complexity of the evaluation process and the need for transparency in pay raises, advocating for open discussions before the Board to ensure accountability. Vice Chairman Loar questioned how the Board could approve pay adjustments without an evaluation, expressing skepticism about the sudden recognition of contract Indian River County, Florida Page 36