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BOOK 69 FAcE 241 <br />GENERAL FUND <br />OMB Director Baird explained that one of the requirements is <br />to identify why we have an increase as we have this year, and he <br />then reviewed the following accounts showing an increase in the <br />range of $100,000: <br />State Health Department $106,871 <br />I.R. Community Health Dept. 89,335 <br />Refuse (Green Dumpsters) 112,189 <br />Parks Department 128,414 <br />Building Operations 200,898 <br />Property Appraiser 175,404 <br />Sheriff's Operations 603,953 <br />Jail 967,938 <br />Chairman Scurlock felt'it is important to note the amount <br />spent on law enforcement and related activities. That amount is <br />somewhat staggering. In fact, almost half of the increase in the <br />budget is due to law enforcement activity -- the Jail, Sheriff's <br />Dept., Public Defender, the court system, etc. A very <br />significant amount of this is mandated by the State of Florida. <br />Recently we have had a court order to decrease the population of <br />the Jail, and as a result, we must move ahead into constructing <br />the third phase of the Jail. A great deal of the increase in <br />salaries is due to the hiring of 22 additional officers by the <br />Sheriff, which again is mandated by the State. <br />Chairman Scurlock opened the Public Hearing on the General <br />Fund and asked if anyone wished to be heard. <br />Richard Burkhart, 1936 Mooringline Drive, Vero Beach, stated <br />that he did not represent any organized group, but felt that he <br />was speaking for a great many people in objecting to this year's <br />proposed tax increase. He recently received his TRIM notice and <br />felt he was forced to register his profound indignation over this <br />increase and the tendency to increase the taxes over the last six <br />10 <br />