HB 105's Impact, Septic Campaign, When to Water, and more...
- IRNA
- 1 hour ago
- 9 min read
November 15, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
The Last Vote
Maria Garcia sat at the worn conference table in Hibiscus Beach City Hall, surrounded by stacks of legal briefings. As the city manager of this coastal Florida community of 15,000, she'd navigated hurricanes, budget crises, and contentious development battles. But nothing had prepared her for what HB 105 would do to her town.
It started six months after the law passed. Oceanic Properties, a national development firm, wanted to build a twenty-story luxury resort on protected wetlands near the city's historic district. The planning board denied the permit—the project violated environmental protections the community had fought decades to establish. Hundreds of residents had packed the hearing, pleading to save the marshlands where their children learned about local birds and insects.
Two weeks later, the lawsuit arrived.
Oceanic claimed the permit denial was an "arbitrary and unreasonable enforcement action" that "unreasonably delayed lawful development." Their lawyers cited HB 105's broad language, arguing that any deviation from the most permissive interpretation of zoning law was now actionable. The stakes were clear: $50,000 in damages, plus the company's attorney fees, which would easily exceed $200,000. And this was just the first case.
Maria watched helplessly as the litigation consumed her staff. Environmental specialists who should have been monitoring water quality spent weeks preparing depositions. The city attorney, already stretched thin, brought in expensive outside counsel. Insurance premiums skyrocketed. The finance director warned they might need to cut services like recreation and park maintenance to cover legal costs.
But the real damage was invisible. At the next council meeting, a young council member proposed updating regulations to limit predatory payday lending storefronts near schools. Before HB 105, it would have passed easily. Now, the city attorney spent twenty minutes outlining litigation risks. The proposal died without a second.
A neighborhood association wanted stricter noise ordinances for a commercial district where late-night bars had become a nuisance to nearby residents. "I'm sorry," Maria told them at a community meeting, "but under HB 105, we'd likely face multiple lawsuits from every affected business owner. We simply can't afford it."
From across the state, she heard similar stories. Tampa had abandoned plans for stronger building efficiency standards. Jacksonville quietly weakened tree protection ordinances after threats from developers. Fort Myers settled three HB 105 suits in one month, paying out nearly $400,000 in combined damages and fees, money that could have repaired two neighborhood playgrounds.
The constitutional right to home rule, Maria thought bitterly, had become a constitutional right to be sued into submission.
Six months after the Oceanic lawsuit began, facing mounting costs and the threat of even larger judgments, the city council voted 3-2 to settle. The wetlands protection were gutted. Construction would begin in spring.
Maria visited the site after work one day, watching the sun set over the marshlands. Soon, cranes and concrete trucks would replace the herons. She thought about the children who'd never see the egrets, about the democratic process, the hundreds of citizens speaking at a public hearing overruled by a single corporation with deep pockets and a weaponized statute.
She'd spent twenty years in public service believing that local government could protect what communities valued most. Now she wondered if that era had quietly ended, not with a dramatic vote or a constitutional crisis, but with a carefully worded bill that turned democracy into a liability.
Tomorrow, she'd write her resignation letter.
It Is Time to Make Your Voice Heard on HB 105
Over the past few weeks, we've explained how HB 105 threatens our community's ability to govern itself. Now it's time for action.
Representative Brackett, who sponsored this harmful legislation, needs to hear directly from his constituents. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted him—but we need more voices. The more residents who speak up, the clearer the message becomes that our community values local control and democratic accountability.
Below is a sample letter you can email to Rep. Brackett. We encourage you to personalize it with your own concerns and experiences—your authentic voice carries the most weight.
Important reminder: Even though we strongly oppose this bill, please remain polite and constructive when contacting elected officials. Respectful, substantive communication is always more effective than anger.
Dear Representative Brackett:Â
I urge you to withdraw your sponsorship of HB 105.
This bill will devastate our community by allowing anyone to sue our local governments over routine enforcement actions. Taxpayers must pay the plaintiff's attorney fees if they win, but receive nothing if we successfully defend ourselves. This creates a litigation weapon for developers and corporations to override community decisions made democratically at public hearings.
Some of the consequences:
Massive legal costs draining funds from essential services
Officials too afraid to enforce environmental protections and building codes
Special interests empowering themselves over residents
Our constitutional right to home rule replaced by governance through intimidation
We already have robust appeal processes. What specific problem in our community requires this radical change? Without concrete evidence of systemic abuse, this bill is simply an assault on local self-governance.
Our community deserves better representation.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, FL ZIP]Â
Contact Information:
Rep. Robbie Brackett
Phone: 772-778-5005
Address: Suite B2-203, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
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Join the IRNA in building a stronger voice for our community. Your support empowers us to safeguard our natural resources, demand transparency from elected officials, and champion the changes we need to see—together, we can create lasting impact.
Collaborating to Push Septic-to-Sewer Funding Before 2026 Elections
The Indian River Neighborhood Association, Clean Water Coalition, and Pelican Island Audubon Society are joining forces on a campaign that could reshape local water quality policy ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Our target: securing the funding needed to address one of the Indian River Lagoon's most persistent pollution sources.
The Septic Tank Problem
Septic tanks across Indian River County have long been recognized as significant contributors of nutrient pollution flowing into both the Lagoon and local waterways. The issue has taken on new urgency with Florida's 2030 mandate, which requires all septic tank owners to either connect to central sewer systems where available or upgrade to advanced systems capable of reducing nitrogen by at least 65 percent.
There is no easy solution. Indian River County officials have acknowledged that many residents simply cannot afford the costs associated with meeting this mandate. The price tag for connecting to central sewer or installing advanced septic systems can run into tens of thousands of dollars per household, putting compliance out of reach for much of the community without substantial financial assistance.
A Three-Pronged Campaign Strategy
The campaign pursues three interconnected goals designed to turn awareness into action and action into accountability.
First, the organizations aim to increase public understanding of the county's water resource challenges, particularly the scope and impact of septic tank pollution. Many residents remain unaware of how their individual systems contribute to lagoon degradation or that a state mandate is rapidly approaching.
Second, and most critically, the campaign seeks to generate voter demand for government funding of the necessary infrastructure improvements. We emphasize that desperately needed state funding must support extending central sewer infrastructure, converting all septic tanks to meet the 2030 mandate, and upgrading wastewater treatment facilities to Advanced Wastewater Standards. County and local governments must take the lead in securing these resources.
Third, we plan to use elected officials' actions on water resource funding and restoration as both a report card for current officeholders and a litmus test for 2026 candidates. With elections approaching, the timing positions water quality as a potential deciding issue for voters who prioritize environmental protection.
The Stakes
The collaboration reflects that the 2030 deadline is approaching faster than the infrastructure needed to meet it. Without significant financial support, the mandate risks becoming an unfunded requirement that leaves both residents and water quality in an impossible position.
By uniting three organizations with complementary strengths, this campaign brings both technical credibility and grassroots reach to an issue that affects many waterfront and near-waterfront residents in the county. Whether their push can generate the political will to secure adequate funding before the 2026 elections remains to be seen, but our groups are betting that voters care enough about clean water to demand action from their representatives.
Mark Your Calendar for Nutcracker on the Indian River at Riverside Theatre December 11-13 (Vero Minute) - Ballet Vero Beach’s locally inspired Nutcracker on the Indian River returns to Riverside Theatre December 11–13, blending Florida wildlife and scenery into the classic tale, alongside a November 15 museum performance exploring identity through dance.
Master Gardener Volunteers Lend Helping Hands (Vero Beach Magazine) - Master Gardener volunteers assist Indian River County residents in November by offering advice on managing invasive air potato vines, diagnosing turfgrass issues like fungal disease and webworm damage, and promoting Florida-Friendly Landscaping for a healthier, holiday-ready yard.
It’s Manatee Awareness Month and Manatees are on the move (Indian River Guardian) - As manatees migrate to warmer waters this November, Manatee Awareness Month urges boaters to slow down, stay alert, and report distressed animals to help prevent deadly collisions and protect these vulnerable marine mammals.
Offshore drilling: Will Florida be spared? (VoteWater.org) - Despite efforts to block offshore drilling near Florida, a proposed federal plan would allow drilling in the Gulf beyond a 100-mile buffer zone, raising concerns among environmental advocates and prompting calls for vigilance and opposition.
Residents fume over muck storage plan near lagoon (Vero News) -Â Residents of Provence Bay are pushing back against a Florida Inland Navigation District plan to build a massive muck storage basin next to their homes, citing concerns about flooding, toxins, noise, odors, and property values, while FIND defends the project as necessary for safe and efficient Intracoastal Waterway maintenance.
Did your lawn's watering schedule just change?
Here's what you need to know!
When we set our clocks back to Eastern Standard Time on November 3rd, your lawn's watering schedule changed too—and you just lost one of your two weekly watering days.
What Changed?
The St. Johns River Water Management District's mandatory restrictions shift with the time change:
Now through mid-March:
Odd-numbered addresses: Saturday only
Even-numbered addresses: Sunday only
Nonresidential properties: Tuesday only
That's down from twice per week during Daylight Saving Time.
Year-round rules still apply:
No watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Maximum one hour per zone
Maximum ¾ inch of water per zone
Don't Worry, Your Lawn Doesn't Need More
University of Florida research shows healthy Florida lawns only need one day per week of irrigation during cooler weather. This time of year, turfgrass goes dormant and needs watering only every other week.
Your landscape simply doesn't need as much water when it's cooler.
Three Common Misconceptions
"My well water is exempt." No. Restrictions apply to all water sources—wells, lakes, rivers, and public utilities.
"I do yard work on Saturday!"Â Remember: you don't have to water just because it's your day. Watch for signs of stress first.
"What about new plants?" Exceptions exist for newly planted landscaping and fertilizer application. Check the District's website for details.
Why This Matters
The St. Johns River Water Management District uses 565.5 million gallons of water daily. Landscape irrigation accounts for over 50% of residential water use.
Conservation delays expensive alternative water supplies and protects our aquifer for the long term.
Quick Action Items
✓ Adjust your automatic irrigation timer now
✓ Install a rain sensor (required for systems installed after May 1991)
✓ Check for leaks in your system
✓ Water only when your lawn shows signs of stress
Want more info? Visit this page for more.
Bottom line:Â One day of watering per week keeps your lawn healthy during cooler months while conserving a finite resource. The seasonal restriction aligns your landscape care with Florida's natural cycles.
Pay-to-park system seen likely amid airport growth (Vero News) -Â With commercial airline traffic growing at Vero Beach Regional Airport, officials are considering a $2.3 million pay-to-park system that would modernize long-term parking, generate revenue, and alleviate current capacity issues, with rates starting around $10 per day.
Sugar billionaire, other top donors fund WH renovations for one simple reason (VoteWater.org) -Â Major donors like sugar baron J. Pepe Fanjul and NextEra Energy are funding White House renovations not out of goodwill, but to curry favor with federal power brokers while advancing their own regulatory and political agendas.
Environmental Learning Center sets WinterGreen Night Lights event for December (Sebastian Daily) - The Environmental Learning Center's WinterGreen Night Lights event on December 12–13 will feature illuminated nature experiences, eco-friendly shopping, family activities, and live performances to celebrate the season while promoting environmental education.
Veterans honored at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach (TCPalm) -Â Hundreds gathered in 40-degree weather at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach on November 11 to honor military service members with ceremonies, wreaths, speeches, and a tribute to World War II veterans.
Birdwatching and Hallstrom House Thanksgiving Hours (Vero News) -Â Birding expert David Simpson will lead a guided tour at Hallstrom Conservation Area on December 7, followed by a private Hallstrom House tour, while the historic site adjusts hours for Thanksgiving and continues its mission to preserve local heritage.
