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Appropriations for the County lapse at the close of the fiscal year. Unexpended ongoing project costs <br />may be appropriated in the new fiscal year through a budget amendment. <br />This Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) includes the funds of the primary government (the <br />Board of County Commissioners, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, the Property Appraiser, <br />the Sheriff, the Supervisor of Elections and the Tax Collector), and the blended component units <br />consisting of the Emergency Services District and the Solid Waste Disposal District. <br />These component units were included because generally accepted accounting principles require that <br />organizations which are fiscally dependent on the County and that financially benefit from the <br />relationship with the County be reported with the primary government (the County) as the reporting <br />entity. This CAFR does not include the Indian River County School District, the Indian River County <br />Mosquito Control District or the Indian River Medical Center. <br />Local Economy <br />Indian River County's estimated population of 146,410 was a 2.15% increase over the previous year. <br />While the population of the County has been steadily increasing, so has the median age of residents living <br />here. Nationally, average ages have risen due to the increasing age of the baby boomer generation as well <br />as the increase in life expectancy for all Americans. In addition, Florida continues to be a popular <br />destination for retirees. <br />Historically, Indian River County's economy was made up of agriculture (citrus and cattle) and tourism. <br />Those industries have now been complemented with an increase in health care and information <br />technology firms, light manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and service sector jobs. The top three <br />major employers in Indian River County, providing 9% of total employed persons, are the School District, <br />Indian River County government and Indian River Medical Center. The unemployment rate decreased <br />from 7.2% in 2015 to 6.7% in 2016. <br />Piper Aircraft, Inc., whose headquarters for aircraft research, development and manufacturing operations <br />are located in Vero Beach, is the largest manufacturing employer in the area. CVS Pharmacy operates a <br />distribution center which provides the distribution of products to all CVS locations in the southern half of <br />Florida. The Atlantic beaches and the Indian River, along with the comfortable climate, provide the basis <br />for a year-round tourism industry. Residents can enjoy these resources at any of the County parks, the <br />Sebastian Inlet State Park or the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. <br />Indian River County continues to experience signs of improvement in the economy. Total property tax <br />values increased from $13.4 billion in 2015 to $14.3 billion in 2016. Construction activity saw a <br />significant increase with 24% more building permits issued for new construction in 2016 over 2015. <br />Please see Statistical Schedules 6 and 17 for more information. <br />Although Indian River County is a major producer of citrus with approximately 34,151 acres dedicated to <br />citrus production, production has decreased by 15% from 6.9 million boxes in 2015 to 6.0 million in <br />2016. <br />Lonj' Term Financial Planninji and Major Initiatives <br />Chapter 163 Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code Rule 9J-5 requires each local government <br />to have a Comprehensive Land Use Plan. An important part of this plan is the Capital Improvements Plan <br />(CIP) which evaluates the need for public facilities in support of the Future Land Use Element, to estimate <br />iii <br />