INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Board of County Commissioners Tuesday decided to take several issues to the Florida Legislature during its next session. Those issues, to name a few, include pressing for the sale of Vero Beach Electric to Florida Power and Light, and stopping All Aboard Florida.
The Commission also wants to the State Legislature to better fund beach restoration projects, push for better oversight of the Florida Municipal Power Agency, and clarification of whose responsibility it is to cover the costs associated with the courts.
Commission Chair Wesley Davis said he wanted to make sure the Sebastian septic to sewer project remains on the Commission’s legislative priorities list, which was on the list last year.
“This is an economic driver,” Davis said of getting Sebastian’s septic tanks removed and customers switched to the county’s sewer system.
The estimated project cost is just shy of $3 million. The County is willing to offer a 50 percent local match using various sources. Such sources would include County funds, City of Sebastian funds, and assessments to customers.
Commissioners agreed the project would be of more than an economic benefit; it would benefit the Indian River Lagoon, too.
Davis noted that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requires customers to connect to sewer if they are close enough to do so. However, there is little financial help for those customers who must connect.
“Help save us from them,” Davis said – addressing how he’d like to see the request be made to the Legislature.
Cutting from its priorities list, the Commission decided to not pursue alternative water supplies for at least a year.
Commissioner Peter O’Bryan said that a county resident received funding for a couple alternative water supply projects, which could serve as a test for the County to review once they are established.
Other projects the County plans to seek funding for from the Legislature include improvements to its stormwater treatment systems in canals. Not only does the Commission want new canal cleaning equipment, but also funding for a pilot program that would use local aquatic plants to help filter nutrients before canal water reaches the scrubbers.
County staff estimates such a pilot program could cost about $300,000. Staff is expected to review potential sites for such a program and report back to the Commission. In the meantime, though, the Commission decided to add it to their list of priorities.