HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2026Ryan L. Butler
Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller
Clerk to the Board and Value Adjustment Board
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Telephone: (772) 226-1432
Fax: (772) 978-1857
E-mail: Axia(aindianriverclerk.com
Web address: http://indianriverclerk.com
VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD (VAB) SPECIAL CALL ORGANIZATIONAL
MEETING MINUTES
The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) of Indian River County, Florida, met on Tuesday,
February 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the County Administration Building, 1801 271h Street,
Building A, Room A2-511, Vero Beach, Florida. Present were Commissioners Joseph E.
Flescher and Joseph H. Earman; School Board Member Peggy Jones; and Rick Wykoff,
Homesteaded Citizen Member.
Also present were VAB Attorney Nicholas Bykowsky, VAB Clerk Terri Collins -Lister, and
Commissioner Assistant for District 3 Max Sherman.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Joseph E. Flescher called the meeting to order.
2. INVOCATION — Commissioner Joseph H. Earman
Vice Chairman Joseph H. Earman delivered the Invocation.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Citizen Member Rick Wykoff
Citizen Member Rick Wykoff led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. DISCUSSION ON HIRING SPECIAL MAGISTRATE ATTORNEY TO HEAR TWO
REQUESTS FOR EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES ON
PUBLICLY OWNED LEASED LAND.
VAB Clerk Terri Collins -Lister stated there were two upcoming hearings with the Value
Adjustment Board scheduled for February 17, 2026. These hearings concern petitions
requesting the removal of ad valorem taxes on leased property located at the Vero Beach
2025 VAB Special Call Organizational Meeting Minutes Page 1
February 3, 2026
Regional Airport in the City of Vero Beach. Both petitioners and the Property Appraiser
have retained outside legal counsel, thereby increasing the expected complexity of the
proceedings.
Based on prior experience with similar cases, the Clerk recommended hiring
Attorney Karen Wonsetler as a Special Magistrate. She mentioned that Attorney
Wonsetler previously served as a Special Magistrate in Indian River County. The Clerk
noted that Attorney Wonsetler is located in Orlando and had reduced travel to counties
with limited caseloads but agreed to return for these cases due to their complexity.
The Clerk stated that Attorney Wonsetler had requested two conditions: an 8 -hour
minimum fee and mileage reimbursement. The estimated cost impact was minimal and
aligned with typical magistrate expenditures.
VAB Attorney Nicholas Bykowsky supported the VAB Clerk's recommendation and
acknowledged Attorney Wonsetler's qualifications, professionalism, and suitability for
complex hearings.
5. APPOINT ATTORNEY APPLICANT TO SERVE AS A SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
FOR EXEMPTION/CLASSIFICATION/ASSESSMENT DIFFERENCE
TRANSFERS/TAX DEFERRAL HEARINGS, PURSUANT TO F.S. 194.035.
A. KAREN WONSETLER
ON MOTION by Vice Chairman Earman, SECONDED by School Board Member
Jones, the Board, by a 4-0 vote (Schepers absent), approved the appointment of Karen
Wonsetler for exemption, classification, assessment difference transfers, and tax
deferral hearings for the VAB 2025 tax year.
6. APPROVE THE REVISED LANGUAGE IN EXHIBIT "A" FOR SPECIAL
MAGISTRATE ATTORNEY KAREN WONSETLER, SETTING AN EIGHT (8)
HOUR MINIMUM AND MILEAGE REMBURSEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
F.S. 112.061.
ON MOTION by Citizen Member Wycoff, SECONDED by School Board Member
Jones, the Board, by a 4-0 vote (Schepers absent), approved the revised language in
Exhibit "A" for Special Magistrate Karen Wonsetler, setting an eight (8) hour
minimum at the standard rate of $125 an hour, and a mileage reimbursement at 0.445
per mile.
2025 VAB Special Call Organizational Meeting Minutes Page 2
February 3, 2026
7. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:22 a.m.
VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD
Approved: April 30, 2026
ATTEST:
Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
By: lui-10 'mo�
Terri Collins -Lister, AB Clerk
2025 VAB Special Call Organizational Meeting Minutes Page 3
February 3, 2026