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Home My WebLink About09/09/2026 (2)Indian River County, Florida Preliminary Budget Hearing Final Meeting Minutes Board of County Commissioners Deryl Loar, District 4, Chairman Laura Moss, District 5, Vice Chairman Susan Adams, District 1 Joseph Flescher, District 2 Joseph H. Earman, District 3 John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Wednesday, September 9, 2026 1. Call to Order 4 3. Present: 5 Chairman Deryl Loar Vice Chairman Laura Moss Commissioner Susan Adams Commissioner Joseph Flescher Commissioner Joe Earman 5:01 PM Indian River County Administration Complex 1801 27th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 indianriver.gov A Moment of Silent Reflection for First Responders and Members of the Armed Forces Followed by the Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Budget Overview by County Administrator, John A. Titkanich, Jr. 4.A. Proposed Budget County Administrator John Titkanich referred to PowerPoint slides as he reported the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 budget, on March 31, 2026, was $711,734,032, and the FY 2026/27 proposed budget was $614,789,330, a difference of $96,944,702. In comparison, the beginning FY 2025/26 budget was $598,860,844, and the FY 2026/27 Proposed budget was $614,789,330, a difference of $15,928,486. Administrator Titkanich then highlighted upcoming major budget impacts: a tax roll increase, Sheriffs Department funding, a retirement rate increase, Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB), an increase to the health insurance contribution, and full-time position changes. 5. Ad Valorem Funds 5.A. Ad Valorem Millage and Ad Valorem Budget (Read each fund separately and make motion for each fund after public input). 5.B. Sheriff Recommended Budget County Administrator Titkanich initiated the discussion by referencing the Budget Workshop meeting held on July 8, 2026. During that meeting, the Sheriff presented a revised budget request of $95,159,644, which exceeded the April 14, 2026, approved Settlement Agreement amount by $1,886,172. In compliance with Florida Statutes, the Board prepared a Written Notice of Action outlining the necessary adjustments to address the difference in the revised request. Administrator Titkanich observed that while $1,981,649.78 in reductions was identified, the Board recommended reductions totaling $1.886 million, aligning with the approved budget total specified in the Settlement Agreement. There were no comments from the public or the Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Chairman Loar, to adopt the tentative specific object level reductions to the Sheriffs Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Budget Request, and to approve the tentative written notice of Board Action to the Sheriff. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None S.C. General Fund Proposed millage is 3.5475 and is 4.62% above rolled back rate of 3.3907. The proposed budget is $172,434,473. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to approve the General Fund Proposed millage of 3.5475, which was 4.62% above the rolled back rate of 3.3907. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 - None A motion was made by Commissioner Joseph Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to approve the General Fund proposed budget of $172,434,473. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0- None 5.D. M.S.T.U. Proposed millage is 1.1506 and is 4.26% above rolled back rate of 1.1036. The proposed budget is $57,189,815. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the M.S.T.U. (Municipal Service Taxing Unit) proposed millage of 1.1506, which was 4.26% above the rolled back rate of 1.1036. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5- Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0- None A motion was made by Commissioner Susan Adams, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the M.S.T.U. proposed budget of $57,189,815. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 - None 5.E. Transportation Fund (No Millage) Proposed budget is $25,610,535. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Vice Chairman Moss, to approve the Transportation Fund proposed budget of $25,610,535. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None S.F. Emergency Services District Proposed millage is 2.3531 and is 4.29% above rolled back rate of 2.2563. The proposed budget is $78,839,816. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. A motion was made by Vice Chairman Moss, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to approve the Emergency Services District proposed millage of 2.3531 which was 4.29% above the rolled back rate of 2.2563. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0- None A motion was made by Commissioner Joseph Flescher, seconded by Vice Chairman Moss, to approve the Emergency Services District proposed budget of $78,839,816. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 5.G. Land Acquisition Bonds - 2024 & 2026 Proposed millage is 0.1238. The proposed budget is $3,982,041. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. A motion was made by Commissioner Earman, seconded by Vice Chairman Moss, to approve the Land Acquisition Bonds - 2024 & 2026 proposed millage of 0.1238. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None A motion was made by Commissioner Joe Earman, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the Land Acquisition Bonds - 2024 & 2026 proposed budget of $3,982,041. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5- Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 5.H. Aggregate Proposed millage is 6.1155 and is 4.44% above rolled back rate of 5.8554. No Action Taken or Required 6. Adoption of Non -Ad Valorem Assessment Charges 6.A. Announce 2026/2027 proposed charge for each Non -Ad Valorem Assessment District. Commissioner Adams read the Non -Ad Valorem Assessments into the official record, which encompassed Municipal Service Benefit Units (M.S.B.U.$) and additional assessments, as well as the Solid Waste Disposal District. The Commissioner followed with a detailed recital of the Streetlighting Districts. 6.B. Receive comments from the Public. Alisen Giordano, Waters Edge, received confirmation of the final assessment amount for the Waters Edge culvert and clarification on the reporting of the Solid Waste Disposal District's charge. Thomas Henderson, Roseland, received information on the universal garbage collection service implemented by the County. Mr. Henderson also inquired about potential solutions to the illegal usage of the County's convenience center by Brevard County residents. 6.C. Consider any Proposed Amendments and Calculate Revised Charge. There was no discussion regarding this item. 6.D. Make a motion to adopt resolutions. The Board voted on the Resolutions collectively, with Vice Chairman Moss dissenting to maintain consistency with her previous votes against universal collection. A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Chairman Loar, to approve Resolution 2026-059 (Non -Ad Valorem Assessments). The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 1- Vice Chairman Moss A motion was made by Commissioner Joseph Flescher, seconded by Chairman Loar, to approve Resolution 2026-060 (Solid Waste Disposal District -Disposal). The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 1- Vice Chairman Moss A motion was made by Commissioner Joseph Flescher, seconded by Chairman Loar, to approve Resolution 2026-061 (Solid Waste Disposal District -Collection). The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 1 - Vice Chairman Moss A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Chairman Loar, to approve Resolution 2026-062 (Waters Edge Annual Rate). The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 4- Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 1 - Vice Chairman Moss 7. Approve Non -Ad Valorem Dollar Budgets County Administrator John Titkanich referred to the overhead slide as he read into the record the Non -Ad Valorem Budgets for Special Revenue Funds, Other Debt Service Funds, Capital Project Funds, Enterprise Funds, and Internal Service Funds. 7.A. Announce Proposed 2026/2027 Budget 1. Special Revenue Funds $33,770,993 2. Other Debt Service Fund $500,000 3. Capital Projects $52,069,989 4. Enterprise Funds $130,126,755 5. Internal Service Funds $60,264,913 7.B. Receive comments from the Public. The Chairman opened the item for public comment. There being none, the Chairman closed the public comments. 7.C. Consider any Proposed Amendments There was no discussion regarding this item. 7.D. Make a motion to adopt tentative budget. A motion was made by Commissioner Earman, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to approve the Non -Ad Valorem Dollar Budgets as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 8. Announce Time and Place of Final Budget Hearing The County Administrator announced the Final Budget Hearing would take place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 5:01 p.m. The hearing would be followed by a presentation and workshop discussing Amendment 3. 9. Adjourn There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 5:28 p.m. ATTEST: Ryan L. Butler Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller By: Deputy Clerk PrelimBudget/RW/September 9, 2026 Minutes Deryl Loar, Chairman Approved: October 6, 2O26