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<br />EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT <br /> Administrator Baird advised that the total budget proposed is $30,063,673, a decrease of <br />$2,619,734 or 8%. The decrease of about $6 million was due to hurricane repairs to stations. He <br />announced a proposed millage rate of 1.7639, 11.4% over the current of 1.9911, but still above <br />rollback. He outlined the costs and repairs scheduled for next year, salary adjustments, the <br />training tower, a reduction of 6 positions due to consolidation, retirement and health insurance <br />rate increases, and fuel cost increases. There was a brief discussion on the training tower, recent <br />hiring freeze, and the status of the construction on Station 2 on the beach. <br /> Commissioner Lowther brought up cross-training within the system, new trainees, fueling <br />fire trucks and ambulances, and re-stocking fees. He complimented Administrator Baird on <br />keeping costs down in the process of merging of the fire fighters and paramedics. <br /> <br />AGGREGATE MILLAGE <br /> Administrator Baird announced that the proposed aggregate millage for next fiscal year is <br />5.3502, compared to 5.9809 for the current year. It is a decrease from last year by 14.55% and <br />8.37% above rollback. This is a benchmark set by the State. It has to be announced, but no one <br />pays it because it is a combination of all the ad valorem proceeds from all the districts divided by <br />the entire taxable value of the county except the land acquisition bond. <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAND ACQUISITION BOND <br /> Administrator Baird announced that this year’s debt service millage on the 1992 bond <br />issue for $26 million was .1789 and it is proposed for the next fiscal year to be .1406. The <br />proposed budget is $2,423,262. <br /> Administrator Baird announced that the proposed budget for the debt service of the 2004 <br />Land Acquisition Bonds is $4,597,671 and the millage is .2702. This bond was issued about 45 <br />days ago. A $250,000 home with Homestead Exemption in the unincorporated area (except <br />Indian River Shores) will see a decrease of about $74 in their taxes. He explained how values are <br />increasing on non-homesteaded homes. <br /> A lengthy discussion ensued on the values of non-homesteaded houses and putting a 3% <br />cap on all property values. Administrator Baird cautioned against and was totally opposed to <br />July 12, 2006 <br /> <br />4 <br /> <br />