The Full Story...
We put everything we have into building a facility to help others...
We first opened our doors after receiving our Certificate of Occupancy from the Duval County Building Department in January 2019.
That's when the fun began.
This approach unfortunately mandates the use of pool chemicals (chlorine/bromine) in enclosed float tanks, which we have vehemently opposed for various reasons (safety concerns, inadequate test kits, and better alternative methods exist, to name just a few).
In 2019 Matt asked the Dept of Health for an entry point for this discussion, to which they replied "you can do as you are told or I will get an injunction and shut you down."
We've been involved in a 4-year-long legal dispute with the DOH over the permitting of our Floatspas... a bizarre use of taxpayer dollars, which saw the Duval County officials send the VICE Unit with an 8-person enforcement team to search our spa...
The DOH not only brushed off our chlorine concerns, but also chose to prosecute us to the fullest extent available to them - shutting us down (twice!) in the name of a public swimming pool permit.
The Duval Co DOH attorney made good on her promise to get an injunction. Even going as far as lying to the judge to obtain it.
In 2021, they gave us a 60 day temporary permit, ordered us to retrofit our equipment to fit public swimming pool standards, let us operate for 4 months and then personally charged us with Contempt of Court after the permit expired.
The judge found that we were NOT in contempt.
The department attorneys have lied to multiple judges in open court (we have transcripts)... it's been a wild ride, to put it mildly.
Our shopping center landlord is understandably frustrated with our lack of revenue and inability to pay rent.
We've been unable to keep current with our business loan, and we've lost all our staff because we haven't been able to keep our regular spa hours.
In August 2022, after three+ years, we were finally able to have our case heard in Administrative Court.
Our hearing involved two main points:
1. our floatSpa pods are pieces of equipment used to facilitate Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy. They are not "public swimming pools" as asserted by the DOH;
2. the Department Of Health was relying on enforcement rules that were made-up on the fly instead of going through the proper rulemaking channels for a state agency.
On November 28, 2022 in our case against the FL Dept. of Health, a Judge for the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings ruled that the Department of Health’s “Float Tank Code” was an unadopted rule, and they must immediately stop relying upon it.
Since the rulings from Judge Telfer, we have filed urgent motions in Circuit Court to terminate the Temporary Injunction preventing us from using our pods.
The Department's attorneys contest this is not an emergency and have dragged out any path towards resolution.
Check out some of the pleas from our customers, veterans, and health providers that have been IGNORED by the Florida Department of Health:
These are just a fraction of the communication sent to the Florida Department of Health regarding our business and the inability to serve the public because of the harrassment and false prosecution.
Read the FULL TIMELINE of events HERE:
About our business
Redefining what primary care looks like, Indigo Float is committed to improving the physical and mental well-being of our customers through self-care therapy such as Floating, Infrared Sauna, Temperature Contrast, Massage, and more.
How can floating help you?
We thank you for your interest in our story. A little attention goes a long way.
⚀ Reduce Stress & Anxiety
⚀ Reduce Physical Pain
⚀ Prevent Burnout
⚀ Lower Cortisol Levels
⚀ Improve Mental Clarity & Focus
⚀ Stimulate Creativity
⚀ Improve Sleep
⚀ Meditative States
⚀ and more...
Clinical Float
The official site dedicated to the medical use of clinical floatation therapy. Published peer reviewed papers, presentations and news related to Clinical Floatation to assist researchers and clinicians in all disciplines
MAIN OFFICE:
1111 San Jose Blvd Suite 70
Jacksonville, FL 32223
PHONE:
+1-904-337-0084
Email Us: [email protected]
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