SUMMARY MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
Indian River County Hospital District Conference Room/ Zoom
July 10, 2025
1:00 PM
TRUSTEES: Chuck Mackett Paul Westcott Michael Kint Karen Deigl
Kerry Bartlett
ZOOM: William Cooney Allen Jones
STAFF: Dawn Carboni Shanen Cox
Kate Voss Frank Isele
Jennifer Frederick Kaytlin Dickens
ATTENDEES: Marie Andress Collete Heid Ann Marie McCrystal Robyn Orzel Dana McNally Mary Lintermann
Marty Mercado Pud Lawrence Kelly Williams Cecilia Stalnaker
ZOOM: Tara Beard Kim Jeansonne
Pat Knipper Raquel Rivas Lisa Zahner Megan McFall Ginny Blossom Ian Orzel
Anne Posey
Convene Meeting
Ms. Bartlett convened the special meeting of the IRCHD Board of Trustees at 1:00 PM.
Conflict of Interest Overview
Ms. McNally who was present on behalf of Ms. Peshke, provided the Trustees with a brief overview of the process for Trustees to follow with regard to conflicts of interest. She stated that Trustees must disclose any actual or perceived conflicts during the meeting before discussing those related issues. After disclosing, the board can decide if the member with the conflict should be recused. If it is agreed that a conflict exists, the conflicted Trustee must fill out form 8B, remove themselves from the discussion, and abstain from voting. Completed form 8B will be maintained within the Districts records.
Strategic Overview & Scoring Evaluation Tool Review
Ms. Bartlett addressed the Trustees and provided a recommendation on how to proceed with today’s discussion and process. She stated that the Trustees have already reviewed many documents and applications in preparation for today’s discussion. She also acknowledged the District staff for their efforts and analysis as well. She further explained that as the District moves forward with its mission to improve health in Indian River County, the reviewed process for funding is evolving with some changes being uncomfortable. However, these funding decisions ultimately rest with the Trustees and staff’s insights were only recommendations. She suggested that during today’s review of the funding matrix the Trustees focus on the programs where five or more trustees agree on funding. Any Trustee questions regarding the funding request will be noted, and staff will provide responses or go back to an agency for additional clarification. Additionally, discussions on millage rates will be reserved for future meetings, focusing today’s discussions on aligning program funding with strategic priorities. There will also be no votes taken on funding, with the goal being to build a consensus for the upcoming budget. It was also recommended that there not be back and forth discussion with any representatives from the funded agencies present today and that Ms. Frederick will follow up with any additional questions that may be raised. There was Trustee discussion, and they agreed with Ms. Bartletts proposed process. There was also discussion regarding their review of the program requests and areas to consider such as a funding threshold which would not exceed 50% of the total program budget and the sustainability of the program should the District not support it at the requested funding level.
Next, Ms. Frederick began the review by highlighting those program requests which the majority of the Trustees recommended fully fundings. Requests from New Horizons for various behavioral health services and support were approved. Next there was discussion surrounding the IOP mental health program at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital (CCIHR), which the Trustees agreed to fully support. There was discussion surrounding the request from CCIRH to support the Partners in Women’s Health (Partners) program and the behavioral health integration in the emergency department program. Mr. Isele recommended that the Trustees wait to discuss the Partners request until after the Chairman’s meeting next week, when additional information will be presented on maternity care in Indian River County. Additionally, Ms. Frederick was asked to obtain further clarification about the behavioral health integration in the emergency department program and the District historical funding support of the same.
The review continued and Trustees agreed to fully fund the Mental Health Association Drop-in Center and Walk-in Center. Full funding for the Mental Health Collaborative was also agreed to, as well as the Recovery Works program at Thrive. It is noted that Dr. Mackett recused himself prior to the discussion on Mental Health Collaborative. Requests from the Whole Family Health Center to support laboratory services, behavioral health, the mobile medical unit were also approved. The request from Hope for Families for the patient navigator was discussed and approved, however prior to discussion Dr. Cooney announced a conflict and recused himself. There was also discussion surrounding the request from We Care Foundation of Indian River and Treasure Coast Community Health (TCCH), which Dr. Mackett announced a conflict and recused himself prior to Trustee discussion. During discussions the Trustees recognized that We Care has experienced some challenges as an organization and asked Ms. Frederick to provide an update on the future of their operations and programs, before approving any funding. Next, the Trustees agreed to support the request from TCCH for the dental, medical and behavioral health programs. There was then discussion surrounding the program requests from Healthy Start. Mr. Jones announced a conflict and recused himself prior to Trustee discussion. The Trustees agreed to approve full funding for babies and beyond, coordinated intake and referral, and doula programs.
Next the review shifted to programs where the Trustees were not in majority alignment. The request from Camp Haven for psychological counseling was discussed and Ms. Frederick was asked to obtain additional information before the Trustee’s would approve funding. The request for program and counseling services at Dynamic Life was reviewed and the Trustees approved the request, however there was a slight reduction of $10,000 for the scholarship program which brought the approved request to $90,400. The Trustees also requested additional information regarding the Prevention Works program requested from Thrive due to the large increase from last fiscal year. Lastly, it was decided that the remainder of the program requests would be discussed further at the Chairman’s meeting on the 16th and that Ms. Frederick would provide the Trustees with the follow up information as soon as possible.
Mr. Isele addressed the board and thanked the Trustees for their time, thoughtfulness, and dedication. He stated that as healthcare becomes complex, their engagement with tough decisions will make a lasting impact for our District’s health care outcomes. Their leadership also helped shaped a funding strategy focused on the core goals that align with the District’s values for a healthier Indian River County.
Schedule Additional Meeting Discussion, Other Business, Public Comment & Adjourn
Ms. Bartlett stated that while the Trustees made significant progress during today’s discussion, there is still more work to be done reviewing the program requests and FY 25-26 budget. She recommended extending the next Chairman’s meeting by one hour to allow for more time and discussion. She also recommended the same for the Chairman’s meeting in August. The Trustees agreed to hold the July and August Chairman’s meetings from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Additionally, it was discussed that on July 17th, the Trustees must approve a tentative budget and millage rate. Historically this approval has been a millage rate which reflects the highest rate, with the understanding that it can be reduced after further Trustees review and consideration.
Ms. Deigl asked if there would be additional consideration for public comment to the funded agencies regarding the funding decisions the Trustees have made. It was discussed that there is always public comment available at each meeting and those agencies who wish to address the board may do so during that time, while adhering to the public comment guidelines the District has in place.
Mr. Westcott provided the Trustees with three letters he prepared for their review and consideration. He stated that these are not legal opinions but merely an attempt to show the Trustees his perspective on these matters. The first being the VNA easement and retention pond matter, which he believes there should have been more due diligence conducted on behalf of the Districts interest. The other two letters addressed the terms of the special act with regard to funding and the purchase of the 10th street property. He asked that Mr. Isele include these documents in the Chairman’s meeting packet this month for further discussion.
Ms. Bartlett asked for additional public comment and there was none. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 PM.
