County plans $1.3M acquisition for animal control service transition from Humane Society

The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners held a budget workshop on July 9, 2025, to discuss the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and address various departmental funding requests. The meeting focused on key issues, including animal control services, budget proposals for constitutional officers, and anticipated expenses.

One significant topic was the impending expiration of the contract with the Humane Society on November 30. County staff expressed frustration over current service limitations, particularly regarding the handling of feral animals. The discussion highlighted the need for a new approach, as the Humane Society has been unable to accept certain animals due to capacity issues. The county is considering acquiring a site funded through optional sales tax to improve animal control services, which could lead to a smoother transition and better management of animal-related incidents.

The proposed budget for the Board of County Commissioners is set to increase from $33.8 million to $35.5 million, reflecting a 5% rise. The meeting also covered budget requests from constitutional officers, including the property appraiser, clerk of circuit court, tax collector, and supervisor of elections.

The property appraiser's budget request increased by approximately $348,000, while the clerk of circuit court requested a modest increase of 2.3%. The tax collector's budget is projected to rise by about $449,000, and the supervisor of elections is seeking a 6.9% increase to accommodate new staffing needs and legislative mandates.

Overall, the workshop underscored the county's commitment to addressing service gaps and ensuring adequate funding for essential departments as they prepare for the upcoming fiscal year. Further discussions and decisions will be necessary as the budget process continues.