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MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Wheeler, <br />SECONDED by Commissioner O'Bryan, to retain the <br />two (2) EMS Supervisors. <br />Vice Chairman Flescher remarked on the importance of supervision for the EMS <br />Department, voicing that the benefits of maintaining the supervisors would far outweigh the cost <br />savings set forth in the proposed budget. <br />Pursuant to Commissioner Wheeler's request, staff agreed to return in six months with an <br />evaluation on whether the fire inspections are being kept up satisfactorily. <br />The Chairman CALLED THE QUESTION, and the <br />Motion carried unanimously. <br />Walter Geiger, 3944 58th Circle, representing the Budget Review Task Force for the <br />Taxpayers' Association of Indian River County, remarked on some of the lesser -used fire <br />stations, and presented the Taxpayers' Association's recommendation to convert two fire stations <br />to ALS fire/rescue stations in the 2009/2010 budget, for an approximate saving of $432,000 in <br />staffing costs per station. Mr. Geiger then addressed the Board as a private citizen to express his <br />disappointment that the members of IAFF Local 2201 had not agreed to give up their increases; <br />he hoped they would have a change of heart. <br />Wayne Schasane, firefighter, and President of IAFF Local 2201 (International <br />Association of Firefighters), used a PowerPoint presentation to outline his concerns regarding the <br />declining millage rate's ability to support Emergency Services, opining that if the millage <br />remains the same at 1.7148, reserve funds will eventually be depleted. He also presented and <br />elaborated on Local 220 I's position that the staffing changes presented in the proposed budget <br />will impact public safety and property conservation. His questions regarding the use of the <br />Optional Sales Tax Fund and Impact Fee funding for EMS were addressed by staff. <br />July 23, 2009 10 <br />