TO: Members of the Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
FROM: Kathy Copeland, Legislative Affairs and Communications Manager
DATE: October 10, 2025
SUBJECT: 2026 Indian River County Legislative Priorities
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BACKGROUND
The 2026 Florida Legislature Regular Session begins on January 13, 2025.
In addition to consistent concerns about legislation that would eliminate or curtail home rule authority, preemption, and mandates on local governments in Florida, staff has identified specific policy Legislative Requests for Consideration for this upcoming legislative session:
• Support for a local bill addressing off-site inmate medical costs (see attachments),
• SB180 - providing the authority for local government to adopt statutorily required EAR Based Comprehensive Plan Amendments, and
• Extension of the 2030 deadline for septic to sewer conversions.
Appropriations requests for the following projects:
• Fellsmere Community Resource Center,
• Water side funding for priority septic to sewer grant projects (Orchid Island Estates and Ixora Park Sewer Rehabilitation), and
• Indian River Lagoon Oyster Mat Community Engagement Project.
The County additionally requests the Legislature to continue to support grant programs in areas that the benefits accrued overlap state and local interests, such as infrastructure (utilities, transportation, and stormwater); environment (including coastal management), conservation, and recreation; emergency management; cybersecurity; and historical and cultural.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
The above Legislative Priorities directly impact Strategic Planning Goals: Environment, Governance, Infrastructure, Public Safety and Quality of Life.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Review and approve the proposed 2026 Indian River County Legislative Priorities as presented, and to include authorizing staff to take the necessary steps to present a Local Bill at the Indian River County 2026 Delegation Meeting, re: Compensation for Health Care Services for Inmates in Indian River County