County staff on Jan. 13 briefed commissioners on a local legislative effort that would convert the Fellsmere (referred to in presentation as Fellsmeer/Fellsmare in the transcript) Water Control District from an independent special district to a dependent district governed by the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners.

Kathy Copeland, legislative affairs and communications manager, said the bill would make the county commission the board for the district if enacted and that funding for maintenance would remain an assessment on property owners. Copeland said the parties, including Representative Brackett and Senator Grau, had been working in good faith with county staff, the city of Fellsmere and local landowner groups.

Staff flagged transition issues the board should consider if the bill moves forward: the county would inherit district property, buildings, equipment and reserves; the district schedules assessments in May and the earliest county assumption of responsibilities would be in October; existing contracts (including a recently bid contract and a capital-equipment lease for an excavator) need review before transfer. Assistant Public Works Director Danny Hooley said after reviewing a draft contract he was "very impressed" with its terms and said keeping the contract in place until a county takeover would give staff a head start.

Staff reported the district has a positive fund balance (approximately $300,000 per staff review of an audit) and noted separate contracts with a district-manager firm (SDS) and a contractor for canal work; staff said they asked the district to hold off on some contract awards until county staff could review them. Copeland said the legislation as introduced is expected to be amended and that the delegation wants the commission comfortable with final language before it proceeds.

Commissioners thanked staff and advocacy groups (including the East Fellsmere Landowners Group, EFLOG) for engagement. No formal action was taken; staff will continue coordinating with the legislative delegation and local stakeholders as the bill moves through committee.