Indian River County

Administration Complex

1801 27th Street, Building

Indian River County Florida

Vero Beach, Florida,

32960-3388

Meeting Minutes - Final

www.ircgov.com

Board of County Commissioners

Chairman Susan Adams

Vice Chairman Joseph E. Flescher

Commissioner Tim Zorc

Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan

Commissioner Bob Solari

Jason E. Brown, County Administrator

Dylan Reingold, County Attorney

Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

9:00 AM

Commission Chambers

Childrens Services Referendum and Ordinance Workshop

1. CALL TO ORDER

5 -

Present:

Chairman Susan Adams

Vice Chairman Joseph Flescher

Commissioner Tim Zorc

Commissioner Peter O'Bryan

Commissioner Bob Solari

2.A. A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF

THE ARMED FORCES

2.B. INVOCATION

Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Commissioner Susan Adams, Chairman

4. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA / EMERGENCY ITEMS

A motion was made by Commissioner O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner Zorc,

to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:

5 -

Aye:

Chairman Adams, Vice Chairman Flescher, Commissioner Zorc, Commissioner

O'Bryan, and Commissioner Solari

5. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES TRUST MILLAGE AND ISSUES

Dylan Reingold, County Attorney

County Attorney Dylan Reingold stated that on January 14, 2020, the Board

of County Commissioners voted to hold a special workshop to discuss a

proposed referendum concerning the establishment of a millage for children's

services. Attorney Reingold thanked the members of the exploratory

committee for their assistance in coordinating the workshop.

Attorney Reingold referred to his February 19, 2020 memorandum and

detailed the following key issues discussed with representatives of the group

supporting the referendum: millage rate, sunset date, millage phase in,

committee membership, role of the Executive Director, committee staff duties

and responsibilities, and the use of funds.

County Administrator Jason Brown felt it was important to establish a policy

that ensured funds would not be expended on programs that were funded by

other entities.

20-1338

Children’s Services Millage

Attachments: Staff Report

Children's Services 5 Year Funding History

Children's Services Millage Scenarios

Children's Trust Potential Staff

Childrens Trust millage and step up schedule

Cost to the average homeowner

Draft Referendum v2

Heckman ROI Chart

IRC County Needs Report Card 2-18-20

Return On Investment 2-18

Snapshot of need 2-18

The following members of the exploratory committee spoke on the statistics

and importance of early intervention, investing in services and resources, the

quality of children's programs, the return on the County's investment, and the

enhancement the community would receive by investing in children at an early

age.

Lisa Kahle, 6755 4th Street, facilitator of the exploratory committee.

Michael Kint, CEO of the United Way of Indian River County, utilized a

PowerPoint Presentation to provide a model comparison of the current

Children's Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) and the proposed

Children's Trust Advisory Board, the County's key indicators quantifying the

need for funding and the return on investment.

Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

Hope Woodhouse, 199 Island Creek Drive

Caryn Toole, 233 37th Drive SW

Bob Schlitt Jr., 4340 62nd Terrace

Robert Paugh, 4010 12th Place SW

Sheriff Deryl Loar, Indian River County Sheriff's Office

Ray Oglethorpe, 629 Lake Drive

Wanda Lincoln, 511 Shores Drive

The Chairman called for at recess at 10:41 a.m., and reconvened the meeting

at 10:54 a.m., with all members present.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

The following public speakers, representing non-profit organizations and community

leaders, discussed the importance of early childhood quality education, and the

necessity of funding non-profit organizations which provide services to children.

Andrea Berry, 4384 NE Skyline Drive, Jensen Beach

Shannon Bowman, Executive Director of Childcare Resources of Indian River

Barbara Hammond, 4683 Pebble Bay Circle

Keith Touchberry, Chief of Police for the City of Fellsmere

Freddie Woolfork, Director of Public Relations & Facilities Operation for the Gifford

Youth Achievement Center

Jeff Pickering, President and CEO of Indian River Community Foundation

Steve Boyle, 3790 7th Terrace

Brett Hall, 7445 N 16th Manor

Tiffany Justice, School Board of Indian River County

Dale Jacobs, 5150 St. Andrews Island Drive

Melissa Ellison, Retired Communications Director for Congressional Budget Office

Sandy Kahle, 275 66th Avenue

Dr. Jacqueline Jacobs, Retired Principal School District of Indian River County

Sabrina Sampson, Regional Executive Director of Children's Home Society

The Chairman called for at recess at 11:47 a.m., and reconvened the meeting at 11:53

a.m., with all members present.

Chairman Adams indicated that staff had made recommendations on the proposed

key issues and sought direction from the Board. She suggested discussing each key

issue individually.

The Chairman mentioned that staff had proposed a 12-year term limit instead of the

15-year sunset date for the children's services millage; the Board was in agreement.

She then referred to the proposed membership of the Children's Services Advisory

Committee (CSAC). Staff recommended modifying the composition of the

13-member committee to include Board-appointed individuals who had some

expertise in the arena of children's services such as a physician, mental health

professional, or child advocate. Also, staff recommended including representatives

from the Indian River School and Hospital Districts.

Commissioner O'Bryan felt it was important that the majority of the CSAC was

appointed by the Board. Additionally, he recommended adding financial oversight

with two additional members: 1) a representative from the Taxpayers' Association of

Indian River County; and 2) a member of an accounting firm to oversee the

committee's finances.

Chairman Adams turned the Board's attention to the proposed ordinance that set

forth the different uses of funds for programs and services. She stated that there was

no clear list of the types of programs and services that could be funded with children's

services money.

A discussion followed on the proposed use of funds, with the Board recommending

the following modifications: 1) adding physical activity programs, 2) funds were not to

be expended on programs that fall within the jurisdiction of other funding entities, such

as the Indian River County School District and Hospital District, 3) removing the duty

to lease real estate, but maintaining the ability to lease or purchase equipment and

other items as needed, 4) an 8% cap on the use of millage for administrative

expenses, and 5) clarification on the language for the roles of the Executive Director

and staff.

Commissioner O'Bryan referred to the proposed Option One of the draft referendum

contained in the PowerPoint Presentation as he proposed a 3-step phase in of the

millage rate over 12 years: .2 mills for the first three years, .25 mills for the second

three years, .33 mills for the remaining six years, and re-evaluate at the 12 year

re-authorization with all commissioners in agreement.

Chairman Adams thanked everyone for their time and diligence supporting children

services.

7. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.