NEWS

MILT THOMAS

The Indian River County Commission tonight voted 4-1 to reject the proposed settlement agreement from Brightline that would have ended the County’s participation in a suit filed jointly by Indian River, Martin County and Citizens Against Rail Expansion (CARE). The suit was filed to prevent All Aboard Florida from selling $1.15 billion in private activity bonds to finance its high speed rail expansion.

Commission Chairman Bob Solari said this suit “would take us out of the fight and that is unacceptable. This is an existential issue for Indian River County and regardless of the odds against us being successful, we have a moral obligation to continue the fight.”

The Commission then approved budgeting another $1 million for legal fees by a 4-1 vote.

Brightline’s settlement agreement addressed many of the concerns that have been raised over the past four years by Indian River and Martin Counties, but as Solari stated, it is an existential issue that could severely disrupt our County’s quality of life and the safety of our citizens.