Indian River County approves settlement with Sheriff Eric Flowers, authorizes multi‑year budget increases

Indian River County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a settlement with Sheriff Eric Flowers that resolves two pending legal actions and adjusts the sheriff's budget for the next two fiscal years.

General Counsel Jennifer Schueller presented the proposed agreement, saying, "Under the attached proposed settlement agreement in exchange for the county agreeing to the to provide the sheriff an additional appropriation of $3,500,000 for his fiscal year 25 26 budget, the sheriff agrees to dismiss both his circuit court case and his administration commission budget appeal and not to seek any further budget amendments for the fiscal year 2526, except in the event of a declared emergency that materially affects his budget." The document also provides for a $4,000,000 increase in the sheriff's fiscal year 26 27 budget and states that each party will bear its own attorneys' fees and costs.

Sheriff Eric Flowers thanked commissioners for the negotiations and offered condolences for the board's recent loss, saying, "I'm so sorry for your loss as a as a a board, for the the loss of your 2 employees, and I hope, that we can put all of this behind us and, move forward in a positive way and, have a great working relationship." He told the board he appreciated the dialogue with county counsel and staff.

Commissioner Fletcher — who moved to approve the agreement "as presented" — described the process as a long and arduous journey and said the intent was to "make the budget request whole again," noting prior discussions about funding options such as the MSTU. Vice Chair Commissioner Moss seconded the motion and paid tribute to sheriff's office personnel, naming Sergeant Terry Sweeney Mashkow and urging thanks for deputies' service.

Commissioner Adams said she supported the settlement but warned that the county's approach would use reserves or fund balance and raised concerns about fiscal sustainability: "From a fiscal sustainability perspective, this settlement gives the sheriff the entirety of the increase of new property taxes that came in next last year plus more. We had to go into reserves or fund balance to accomplish this." She encouraged planning to make future budgets more sustainable.

During public comment, Mary Martinez, a resident of Vero Beach, said deputies had helped her with a difficult neighborhood problem and that she supported the sheriff because of the quality of his deputies.

After the discussion and public comment, the board voted 5‑0 to approve the settlement as presented. The chair adjourned the special call meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion: "Approve as presented" (moved by Commissioner Fletcher; seconded by Vice Chair Commissioner Moss). Outcome: approved, 5‑0.

What the agreement says (key terms reported by counsel) - County will provide an additional $3,500,000 appropriation for the sheriff's fiscal year 2025‑26 budget. - The parties agreed to a $4,000,000 increase in the sheriff's fiscal year 2026‑27 budget. - Sheriff to dismiss his circuit court case and an administrative commission budget appeal and to refrain from seeking further budget amendments for FY2025‑26 except in the event of a declared emergency that materially affects his budget. - Each party will bear its own attorneys' fees and costs.

Next steps The settlement resolves the two pending legal matters described by counsel and implements the budget changes for the sheriff; commissioners said they plan additional budget discussions about sustainability and potential future revenue strategies.