Indian River County  
Administration Complex  
1801 27th Street, Building  
A
Indian River County Florida  
Vero Beach, Florida,  
32960-3388  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
www.ircgov.com  
Board of County Commissioners  
Chairman, Joseph E. Flescher, District 2  
Vice Chairman, Peter D. O'Bryan, District 4  
Commissioner Susan Adams, District 1  
Commissioner Joseph H. Earman, District 3  
Commissioner Laura Moss, District 5  
Jason E. Brown, County Administrator  
Dylan Reingold, County Attorney  
Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller  
Tuesday, March 30, 2021  
9:00 AM  
Commission Chambers  
1. CALL TO ORDER  
5 -  
Present:  
Chairman Joseph Flescher  
Vice Chairman Peter O'Bryan  
Commissioner Susan Adams  
Commissioner Joe Earman  
Commissioner Laura Moss  
2.A. A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF  
THE ARMED FORCES  
2.B. INVOCATION  
Dr. Christina Moore, Sr. Pastor, Rhema Apostolic International Deliverance Center  
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Commissioner Joseph H. Earman  
4. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA / EMERGENCY ITEMS  
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Moss,  
to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner  
Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
5. PUBLIC HEARING  
21-0349  
5.A.  
Consideration of Diamond Drinks of Florida, Inc’s Request For an Economic  
Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption (Tax Abatement) [Legislative]  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Chapter 1100 Tax Abatement Ordinance  
Tax Abatement Application  
ED Element - Policy 2.5  
Scoring Guidelines  
Scoring and Estimated Taxes Abated  
COC Economic Impact Report  
Property Appraisers Report  
Tax Exemption Ordinance  
Tax Exemption Agreement  
Economic Development Chief Bill Schutt utilized a PowerPoint presentation to explain  
the tax abatement evaluation process and financial implications related to Diamond  
Drinks of Florida's (Diamond) proposed beverage manufacturing business. Chief  
Schutt noted that Diamond was eligible for a middle-tier tax abatement on new  
tangible personal property needed to outfit the former citrus packing house.  
Board discussion opened with Vice Chairman O'Bryan noting that if Diamond failed  
to meet performance requirements for job creation and wages, the County could  
lower or revoke their tax benefit. The Vice Chairman concluded with support for  
Diamond Drinks' abatement application, commenting that they were a good  
community partner.  
Commissioner Moss received answers from staff to questions covering topics  
including the lack of a quorum at the Economic Development Council (EDC) meeting,  
the definition of an ordinance amendment, and Diamond's classification as an  
agriculture business. Diamond CEO Tony Cenimo (via Zoom) described for  
Commissioner Moss the company's commercial lemon grove, the citrus-based  
beverage packaging business, and the estimated water usage. Mr. Cenimo also  
clarified that the Indian River County plant represented an expansion, not a  
downsizing, of their Pennsylvania-based business.  
Commissioner Earman raised the question of an environmental impact from the  
manufacturing process. Community Development Director Phil Matson reported that  
staff found no concerns in their evaluation, and noted the permitting process would  
allow for further review. Mr. Cenimo advised that Diamond was only processing, not  
manufacturing, the recyclable plastic bottles they used, and he was confident that their  
packaging business was not environmentally harmful. Commissioner Earman noted he  
was supportive of a new agriculture-based business in the County.  
Following the Commissioners' comments, the Chairman opened the public hearing.  
Jean Catchpole, Indian River Neighborhood Association, expressed concern for litter  
and plastic in the environment. She received confirmation that the bottles would be  
labeled as recyclable.  
Michael Ziegler, 12th Street, had questions about the use and marketing of locally  
grown citrus. He was advised that Diamond planned to purchase local citrus  
products when possible, but they had no control over the labeling as they were a  
contract packager.  
There being no further speakers, the Chairman closed the public hearing.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Chairman Flescher,  
to approve staff's recommendation and adopt Ordinance 2021-007, creating a  
new Section 1100.16 (Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption  
granted to Diamond Drinks of Florida, Inc. (“Business”)) of Chapter 1100  
(Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption) of Title XI (Economic  
Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption) of the Code of Indian River County  
granting an Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption to Diamond  
Drinks of Florida, Inc.; making findings and providing for severability, codification  
and an effective date. The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner  
Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
6. DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS  
6.A. Community Development  
21-0352  
6.A.1.  
Consideration of Diamond Drinks of Florida, Inc’s Request for a Local Jobs  
Grant  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Application  
Draft Jobs Grant Agreement  
Economic Development Chief Bill Schutt presented the scoring matrix and  
distribution details related to Diamond Drinks of Florida, Inc. (Diamond)  
application for a job grant, as well as staff's recommendation for approval.  
Upon request by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Chief Schutt provided in-depth details  
of the verification process used prior to distributing grant funds. The Vice  
Chairman offered further explanation regarding the lowering of the grant award  
should Diamond fall short of their targeted job numbers.  
Commissioner Earman expressed support of the job stimulus grant.  
Commissioner Moss received assurance that the grant money would be  
distributed at the end of the year in order to verify that Diamond had fulfilled their  
obligations. Vice Chairman O'Bryan clarified for Commissioner Moss the  
rationale behind the three levels of grant awards.  
Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Director, Indian River Chamber of  
Commerce, discussed the process of landing Diamond's business, their use of the  
local CVS Distribution Center, and her opinion that the company would be a  
good community partner.  
Dori Stone, President, Indian River Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of  
the Diamond project and its usage of an existing site in the County.  
Chairman Flescher noted that there were many members of the business  
community in the audience who offered support, and he thanked Diamond CEO  
Tony Cenimo for choosing Indian River County.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Adams, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
7. ADJOURNMENT  
There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:50 a.m.