Vero Beach Council approves Iris Lane sidewalk amid council split over cost

VERO BEACH — The City Council voted 4-1 on May 26 to award a $189,990 contract for the Iris Lane sidewalk (PW Project No. 2023-18), ending months of debate over project cost and public notice.

Councilmember John Carroll urged colleagues to reject the award, saying the project’s construction cost nearly doubled from an original 2024/25 budgeted amount of $120,000 and questioned staff communication. “It is crazy to spend a quarter of a million dollars to build a sidewalk to nowhere,” Carroll said, noting he believed the work would primarily benefit about 13 residents and may sit at the doorstep of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

City Manager Monte Falls and City Engineer Danessa Chambers defended the project as completing an existing pedestrian loop and noted related improvements in the area, including a new FDOT crossing at A1A that enhances east-west pedestrian connections. Chambers said some initial budgeted funds returned to the capital fund when construction did not move forward earlier and that current bids produced the $189,990 figure.

Aaron Vos moved to approve the consent-agenda contract; Linda Moore seconded. The motion passed 4-1 with Carroll voting no and Mayor John Cotugno, Vice Mayor Taylor Dingle, Mrs. Moore and Mr. Vos voting yes.

Carroll also questioned whether property owners should bear a larger share of sidewalk costs; Falls said past practice on some sidewalk projects has been one-third city funds and two-thirds from property owners but did not confirm that cost sharing for this contract would follow that formula.

The council approved a budget amendment to cover the increase as part of consent-agenda action. Construction was described as ready to proceed on a firm bid, and staff said work would complete the loop and improve access to Riverside Park.

The council did not set a new public hearing on the item; the contract award was handled through the consent agenda.