FELLSMERE — Fellsmere and Indian River County have until the end of the year, roughly, to work out a compromise to the city’s fire inspections or the matter could go to court, the Fellsmere City Council decided Thursday night.
County Attorney Dylan Reingold and Emergency Services Director John King attended the council meeting and Reingold asked the council to grant an extension to the statute of limitations so that – if the county decides to file a complaint in court – it could do so after the Oct. 1 deadline.
At issue is a nearly 4-year-old ordinance the Fellsmere City Council passed that allows for the city to have an independent fire marshal perform fire inspections within the city.
Emergency Services Director King – and County Attorney Reingold – contends that the city does not have that authority, given the city is a member of the county’s Emergency Services District.
“It’s my opinion…authority lies with the District and not with the City,” Reingold said Thursday night.
“With all due respect, I disagree,” City Attorney Warren Dill said.
While the Fellsmere City Council agreed to the extension, members voiced support for keeping the status quo.
“We’ve been very happy” with system currently in place, Mayor Susan Adams said.
She added that it would behoove both sides to work out a solution before going to court.
“It’s not a good idea” to go court, she said, adding that the only ones to win are the lawyers.
“Trying to work this out is in our best interest,” Adams said.
She said she expects there to be some resolution by the first of the new year.
