During a recent meeting of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, significant budgetary decisions were made regarding land acquisition bonds and solid waste disposal fees for the upcoming fiscal year.

The board approved the issuance of $50 million in land acquisition bonds for 2024, with a proposed millage rate set at 0.0639 mills. The budget for this initiative totals $1,778,092, which received unanimous support from the commissioners after a motion was made and seconded.

In addition, the board discussed the Solid Waste Disposal District budget, proposing new charges that reflect an 8% increase for residential and commercial waste generation units. The new rates will be $108.75 per residential unit and $68.80 per commercial unit, alongside a readiness-to-use fee of $40.30, marking a 9.63% increase. The total budget for solid waste services is set at $27,495,249, which also passed without opposition.

The meeting further addressed non-ad valorem assessments, detailing charges for various districts, including Viraleak Estates and East Gifford stormwater, with rates varying from $10 to $343 per parcel. The commissioners approved these assessments after a brief discussion.

Lastly, the proposed budget for special revenue funds was announced at $28,860,114, with additional allocations for capital projects and enterprise funds. The Clean Water Coalition's request to be read into the record was also acknowledged, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns within the community.

Overall, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to fiscal responsibility while addressing essential services and infrastructure needs in Indian River County.