TO: Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
FROM: Christina Moore, ACP, C.Psy.D, Legal Assistant
DATE: June 17, 2025
SUBJECT: Environmental Control Hearing Board (ECHB) Officer Appointment
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BACKGROUND
The current ECHB Officer, Julian Price, is retiring on July 3, 2025. This agenda item is to consider the appointment of the Environmental Control Hearing Board Officer. Per Chapter 85-427 Laws of Florida, Section 6, the Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the ECHB Officer. The Board shall also consider the recommendation of the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County. The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County recommends Heather Waters for this position. Heather has 20 years of experience and is currently the Department of Health Environmental Manager.
The Environmental Control Hearing Board (ECHB) was created in 1986 to enforce laws relating to environmental and public health. These cases typically involved sanitary nuisances and/or failures of owners to properly comply with public health laws. The ECHB is made up of three members with specific backgrounds and two at large citizen positions. The board issues fines, sanitary connection, and compliance orders. The Board of County Commissioners also appoints an Environmental Control Officer who works with the County Health Director to enforce and ensure compliance with all state and local rules relating to environmental control. The Environmental Control Officer is responsible for conducting investigations and bringing violations before the ECHB. Additionally, the Environmental Control Officer is the public face of environmental control in Indian River County; tasked with working with businesses, governmental agencies, and industry to engage the public and raise awareness of needs and requirements for environmental control in the county.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
The County Attorney recommends that the Board review the Letter of Recommendation from Florida Department of Health in Indian River County and determine whether to appoint the applicant as the Officer for the Environmental Control Hearing Board.