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MAY 16 1994 Sheriff Corrections BOOK 32 PAGE 403 NIf t �ff r ` 6, I GARY C. WHEELER • INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NATIONAL SItEnIFFS ASSOCIATION 4055 41st AVENUE VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-1608 PHONE 407-569-6700 May 1, 1994 Honorable John Tippin, Chair Board of County Commissioners 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Commissioner Tippin: In compliance with Florida State Statues, Chapter 30.49, I hereby submit our proposed 1994-1995 annual budget for Corrections. The budget was prepared under the following considerations. SInce we had only six months' experience under our first zero based budget, the same zero based techniques were used to prepare this budget. There is an increase In personnel of one nurse (LPN), a position that was eliminated In last years budget cuts. An analysis of substantial overtime expenses in medical services revealed that replacement of that position was cost effective. No major Increases In jail population were forecast In this budget. This budget reflects a 4.25 percent increase over last years' revised budget. The majority of the increases are related to increases In personnel costs, medical care costs and underfunding this year -in operational expense areas such as prisoner transportation and utilities. There are no new programs being funded this year. As has been the case for the last four years, there is no cost of living Increase Included for our employees. In Corrections, there are twenty-three employees that are not eligible for merit raises and their income has been slowly eroding since 1990. Personnel resources are our most important asset and they deserve relief from the Commission in this area. I am requesting the Board of County Commissioners to fund a three percent cost of -living increase over an above our pay plan to correct Inequities suffered by our employees since 1990. In our budget process, we employed an outside citizen's committee review which Included representatives from the Tax Payers Association, and Enuff Is Enuff, a government watch organization. Our goal in Corrections Is to provide a safe environment for both inmates and employees. We have recently made our facility smoke free. Having discussed with you our federal prisoner program this spring, I now understand that the U.S. Marshall's Service recently entered Into a contract with Palm Beach County for 200 beds in their new tower facility. That contract may virtually eliminate that source of revenue for our county. Our employees of the Sheriff's Office and I have very carefully managed our resources this year. We are studying the potential cost savings related to privatization in medical services and/or facility management relating to Corrections. I do not believe that review will be complete. this year. However, I will advise the Commission if that avenue appears to hold promise. We have prepared this budget In the spirit requested by the Commission - consistent with low expectations in increased revenues. Your favorable consideration of my request as submitted, is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff 8