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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final October 21, 2025 <br />Local Bill at the Indian River County 2026 Delegation Meeting, re: Compensation for <br />Health Care Services for Inmates in Indian River County.. <br />,attachments: Inmate Medical Summary (20251016) JT revised <br />Inmate Medical MC HB4007 Analysis <br />Kathy Copeland, Legislative Affairs and Communications Manager, introduced Kim <br />Sugar and Alexandria Kernan from Arrow Group, highlighting their roles in <br />environmental policy. Ms. Copeland presented slides that outlined the County's <br />Overarching Guiding Principles, including support for County Home Rule. She briefed <br />on upcoming state issues, highlighting significant property tax reform efforts and <br />funding requests for septic -to -sewer conversions. She sought authority to address <br />off-site inmate medical costs, with Representative Brackett agreeing to sponsor a bill <br />aligned with state corrections provisions. She noted state support for the Fellsmere <br />Public Library Community Resource Center, mentioning a donation of land by the <br />City of Fellsmere, and emphasized the need for ongoing funding. Ms. Copeland <br />reminded the Board of crucial federal issues, including the impact of the FEMA <br />Reform Act, and the ongoing inventory of lead pipes in Indian River County, with no <br />current issues found. She stressed the importance of monitoring developments given <br />their potential implications and requested the Board's authorization to proceed with <br />the legislative strategy for 2026, noting the upcoming legislative delegation meeting on <br />October 22, 2025. <br />Commissioner Adams expressed gratitude to Representative Brackett for agreeing to <br />sponsor the Inmate Medical Bill. She remarked that this was in line with what St. <br />Lucie and Martin counties have also done in the past, and it would help control those <br />costs and protect the County moving forward. Commissioner Adams mentioned <br />Senate Bill 180, noting that there had been discussions about its unintended <br />consequences. She noted that Manatee County had been advocating this issue and <br />had spent the previous week in Tallahassee discussing several topics, with Senate Bill <br />180 among their main focus points. She thanked Ms. Copeland for her presentation <br />and appreciated how well she represents Indian River County in Tallahassee. <br />Vice Chairman Loar highlighted that when it came to Inmate Medical Care, the <br />County's representatives were limited to sponsoring only eight bills. As such, the <br />Board should take pride in Representative Brackett's efforts, as this initiative was <br />poised to save taxpayers substantial money. <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Moss, <br />to approve the legislative priorities as presented. The motion carried by the <br />following vote: <br />Aye: 5- Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner <br />Earman, and Commissioner Moss <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 13 <br />