Vice Mayor Atwater briefed the council on themes from the recent Florida League of Cities conference, including proposals for property-tax changes and a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) review of government spending. Atwater said proposals ranged from larger homestead exemptions (half‑million or million dollar concepts) to modifications of assessment increase limits and other measures discussed by a 38‑member select committee in the state legislature. He told the council the select committee had shown limited appetite for many of the initial proposals.

Atwater described DOGE director Eric J. Soskin and a presentation that, he said, focused on reviewing spending the state deems low-return or inappropriate, including some DEI‑related items. He said DOGE’s work could include on-site record requests and audits and warned of a Jan. 13 work product that may be followed by proposed legislation. Atwater said some towns had passed resolutions in support of DOGE’s work but Indian River Shores had not because the town’s staff and audit records are already in order.

Mayor Foley, Vice Mayor Atwater and other council members discussed concerns that broad state reviews could produce one‑size‑fits‑all changes that shift local revenue burdens to fees or enterprise funds; several members said they plan to monitor proposed legislation closely. Atwater said he gained a seat on the tax and finance advisory committee and plans to raise issues such as cross-boundary utility fee differences. Council members urged staff to watch for proposed legislative changes and remain prepared to respond.