VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners said it is ready to put months of conflict with the Sheriff’s Office behind it and rebuild a professional working relationship for the sake of the community.
The board’s statement followed a letter from Sheriff Eric Flowers that offered condolences for the recent killings of two county employees. In the same letter, Flowers said he was open to talking about the long-running budget dispute and the related lawsuit now pending in Circuit Court.
Commissioners have since held one-on-one meetings with the sheriff. Last week, the board went behind closed doors for a shade meeting to discuss possible settlement terms. Afterward, members said they were unanimous in wanting to move forward with serious talks.
A shade meeting is a private, closed-door session held by Florida governmental boards to discuss active, pending litigation or collective bargaining strategies with their attorney.
A special meeting is now set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, when the board will sit down publicly with Flowers to try to reach an agreement.
“This county has been through enough,” Commission Chair Deryl Loar said. “From the tragic event involving one of our deputies to the heartbreaking loss of two County employees, the ongoing conflict between the Sheriff, the Administrator, and the Board of County Commissioners must come to an end.”
County Administrator John Titkanich echoed that view.
“A budget agreement that resolves the Circuit Court case and the looming Cabinet-level hearing is in the best interest of our citizens,” Titkanich said. “A sound financial resolution could address both administrative matters and ensure we are putting our citizens first. We should not be using taxpayer dollars to argue with one another. We are on the same team.”
Loar said the board hopes Tuesday’s meeting marks a turning point.
“The Board of County Commissioners remains hopeful that the upcoming meeting will mark a turning point toward healing, collaboration, and a unified commitment to serving the residents of Indian River County,” he added.