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County adopts master capital‑project and service‑assessment ordinance; Water’s Edge residents ask for rehearing
Summary
The Board adopted a consolidated ordinance to govern special assessments; during the public‑hearing portion Water’s Edge homeowners urged the board to reconsider an earlier assessment related to canal culverts, saying notification and statutory procedures were not followed.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a new master capital project and service assessment ordinance July 1, 2025, aimed at consolidating the county’s special‑assessment processes and improving transparency and due process for property owners. County counsel described the ordinance as procedural: it does not impose a new assessment but centralizes rules for how assessments are established, apportioned and collected under Florida law.
During the public hearing, Water’s Edge Phase 2 Homeowners Association president Lisonbee Giordano told commissioners the association has spent more than five years attempting to resolve a canal/culvert repair assessment that, the HOA said, improperly placed costs on the neighborhood and failed to notify residents of an April hearing. Giordano said the culverts and canal serve properties beyond Water’s Edge and that assigning the cost solely to the HOA would not fairly apportion benefit. “Given the serious procedural flaws and disregard for statutory requirements, we strongly urge you to immediately reevaluate the assessment role,” she said.
A second speaker, Leticia Wood of Water’s Edge and the Hispanic Conservatives of Indian River County, told the board the population of the community is primarily retired residents and urged the county to correct the process before any assessment is finalized.
County counsel and staff told the board the new ordinance will replace prior scattered code sections, create consistent procedures and improve notice practices; staff recommended that any pending or new assessments be considered under the uniform process established by the ordinance. Counsel specifically stated that, if adopted, the board could direct that the Water’s Edge matter be reheard under the new rules to ensure clear notice and public participation.
The Board voted 5‑0 to adopt the ordinance. Commissioners and counsel indicated that the Water’s Edge assessment could be re‑noticed and considered under the new process so affected residents could be heard under the revised, consolidated procedures.
Votes at a glance: Adoption of Master Capital Project and Service Assessment Ordinance — approved unanimously (5‑0).
