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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final November 18, 2025 <br />Attachments: 11.18.25 Joe Idlette II <br />Joe Idlette III accepted the Proclamation on behalf of his father, Joe Idlette, Jr., in <br />honor of his legacy to the Indian River County School system. Mr. Idlette III thanked <br />the Board for acknowledging his father's impact and contributions to the community. <br />Read and Presented by Commissioner Earman <br />5.C. 25-1075 Presentation of Proclamation for GIS Day as November 19, 2025 <br />Recommended Action: Read & Present. <br />Attachments: Proclamation <br />GIS Manager Rachelle Benken discussed the myriad ways data from Geographic <br />Information Systems (GIS) enhanced people's lives, and spoke of the future role of <br />the evolving technology. Ms. Benken introduced her team and closed with the GIS <br />saying, "For where there's a where, there's a way." <br />Read and presented by Chairman Loar <br />5.D. 25-1058 Indian River Community Foundation 2025 Community Needs Update <br />Recommended Action: Present. <br />Jeff Pickering, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, used a slide deck <br />to present the Community Foundation's Indian River County Community Needs <br />Assessment 2025. He began with key insights from the last report in 2020 and listed <br />the surveys and data used to compile the report. While the majority of residents <br />believed the County was headed in the right direction, there were areas of concern: <br />healthcare access and affordability, affordable childcare and education, low wages <br />and limited transportation, housing affordability, and public safety. Outlier <br />observations included the importance of local maternity care, satisfaction with public <br />schools, and a higher number of homeless students. <br />The report continued with promising and concerning trends in the areas of health, <br />education, economic opportunities and employment, and housing. In the area of <br />health, there were increases in healthy habits contrasted with high-risk pregnancies, <br />mental health struggles, and high food insecurity. Promising education trends were <br />seen in high enrollment and graduation rates. However, almost half of students were <br />unprepared for kindergarten, and 32 percent of public school students were <br />chronically absent. Economic trends showed a reported rise in median income to <br />$72,000. Of concern were higher poverty levels, low wages, economically <br />disadvantaged students, and relatively high unemployment. Lastly, housing trends <br />included a lower homeless count and reduced domestic violence. Concerning trends <br />in the high number of homeless students, increased evictions, housing -burdened <br />residents, and senior isolation were seen. <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 3 <br />