Laserfiche WebLink
NOV 231993 <br />BOOK 91 PA <br />cE 48 -7 <br />A�ort:ey <br />GARY C. WHEELER <br />W <br />R • ! <br />MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIAT40 <br />NI � <br />MEMBER OF NATIONAL SHERIFFS ASSCiLti�ISN A-11 Div. <br />�9�tW0551st AV E VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-180FInance ?ema PHONE 407 <br />�oEnarv►lzbe, 1993 R;Sit <br />n..�ef,Qt`► Other <br />Honorable Richard N. Bird, Chairman <br />Board of County Commissioners <br />1840 25th Street <br />Vero Beach, Florida 32960-3394 <br />Dear Commissioner Bird: <br />In 1989, the Indian River County Sheriff's Office started a prisoner work <br />Program. At that time, the county commissioners made available a truck, <br />funded two positions and approximately $10,000 worth of lawnmowers, edgers, <br />etc., for use in the operation of the work squad. <br />Since the start of the work squad, the number of hours that we have <br />accumulated doing various labor intensive tasks for county agencies - and other <br />non-profit organizations has accumulated to approximately 90,000 man hours. <br />This is a savings of $810,900, ($6.03 per hour, $2.98 per hour benefits = $9.01 <br />x 90,000 hours), to the county taxpayers. <br />The machinery that we originally received is almost beyond repair. We have <br />maintained most of the repairs through various individuals who are inmates <br />with a background in small engine repair. I feel we have saved the county, <br />i.e., Sheriff's Office, approximately $16,000 a year in repairs alone if we had <br />to take the equipment to the lawnmower shop. The cost of labor alone is. <br />$30.00 per machine per shop hour. The two inmates spend about ten hours a <br />week sharpening equipment and doing preventative maintenance on all of our <br />equipment which helps us to control cost. I only have $5,000 budgeted for <br />this operation. This is a bare bone minimum to operate for one year. <br />If we are to continue to provide this type of service to the taxpayers of <br />Indian River County, I must replace the equipment, lawnmowers, edgers, <br />weedeaters, etc., every couple of years to enable us to accomplish these <br />tasks. This year alone we have taken to the land fill approximately 116 tons <br />of debris. <br />This is a very worthwhile cause. This is 'one method of punishment for the <br />Inmates and a benefit to the taxpayers in that the county does not have to <br />budget additional funds for the Road and Bridge Department. <br />Since I took office in January and up to and including September, I have <br />generated from Federal Prisoners $155,000 in funds payable to Indian River <br />County. I'm requesting to use approximately $17,000 of this money to <br />refurbish the necessary equipment to maintain this operation. <br />Enclosed is a list of articles I have checked for purchasing. We have checked <br />several companies and attachment "A" Is the best value. <br />I appreciate your consideration in this matter. <br />Sincerely, <br />A,, e .cjk, <br />Garyr. Wheeler, Sheriff <br />12 <br />