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r SEP 81993 BOOK 90 PAGUE 482 J. C. Rodriguez, 6525 4th Place, Pine Tree Park, was concerned about where the Commissioners would make the cuts in the budget. He did not want the emergency medical services and fire services to be targeted. The new employees for emergency services are necessary in the fire -EMS stations which lack staff to operate the fire truck and ambulance simultaneously. Everyone wants emergency personnel to respond with the best care possible and if some areas of the county have that, everyone should have it. He urged the Board to maintain our pre hospital emergency services and fire services at the high standard we have set. John Milton, 5190 67th Street, Vero Beach, stated that this is his fourth consecutive year appearing before the Commission. He is totally opposed to any tax increase or assessment increase. He handed the Chairman a clipping from the September 3, 1993, Press Journal and asked that the Board members read it. Anthony Kovaleski, 2365 25th Avenue S.W., quoted figures related to property taxes and property tax millage. He stated that during a discussion earlier in the day with Director Baird he found a conflict in the figures. He discovered that the total property value in the county increased, resulting in a larger tax base. Mr. Kovaleski asked why millage rates are going up this year instead of down if the property values have gone up. The Chairman led discussion regarding the property values, and Director Baird gave the following example: Between fiscal year 1992-93 and fiscal year 1993-94, the proposed increase in the budgets that the County Commission is responsible for would be $26.46 on a $100,000 house. If the assessed value on that same house went up 4.12 percent, which is the average in the county, the increase would be $61.52. If the assessed value of the property increased more than the 4.12 percent, the millage rate would be adjusted to compensate. The important point is that the proposed budget is based on a county -wide analysis. Under further discussion, Mr. Kovaleski quoted various figures and thought the conflict was a difference of opinion. Director Baird stated that he did not know the source of Mr. Kovaleski's figures, and Chairman Bird suggested that Mr. Kovaleski meet with Mr. Baird and compare figures. Fred Sarg, 3306 First Road, complained that last year the people voiced the opinion that they did not want to spend'$75,000 for the sports complex in Sebastian, but the Board had the funds budgeted and they spent it anyway. He talked about the $4,000 assessment for the water system with additional fees for the meter. 14