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THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION Ver Box <br />IL <br />_ Vero Beachh,, FL <br />• of 32964-3381 <br />Vero Beach and Indian River County <br />"Since 1968, preserving, fostering and promoting the beauty, natural resources and <br />good government of Vero Beach and Indian River County." <br />August 14, 1095 <br />Dear Commissioner Macht: <br />The Civic Association has followed the County budget <br />cycle through the workshops and the proposed budget reduction <br />of $445,671, and we believe the new budget increase remains <br />excessive. <br />We are particularly concerned at the historic trend <br />of Emergency Serivices' annual growth in funding. In the <br />1991/92 budget year, Emergency Services was funded at a level <br />of $8.4 million and this year the department request was for <br />$13.3 million, a 58% increase in just five budget years. <br />To shed light on the need for such an exorbitant increase, <br />we met with the department director, Doug Wright, on July 18. <br />While he was most cordial, we felt that philosophically he <br />lacks the resolve to cut government spending and, therefore, large <br />future Emergency Services' budget increases may be expected. <br />Of particular concern to us is the enormous growth <br />in overtime, from $52,406 in 1991/92 to $758,433 in the proposed <br />95/96 budget -- a 13.5 fold or -1347% growth. Strangely, as we <br />add EMS staff we may expect a corresponding increase in .overtime, <br />which of course is contrary to any reasonable business principle. <br />The proposed staff increases caused by a new station in Fellsmere <br />and additions in Winter Beach will only compound this problem. <br />As a consequence, we recommend that the Commission defer these <br />increases until a complete review of the overtime circumstance <br />and/or Emergency Services' staff consolidation has been completed. <br />We are enclosing questions that we believe must be <br />answered prior to another major financial commitment to the <br />department of Emergency Services. <br />Si erely, <br />For the Board of Directors <br />Ital Veron, President <br />QUESTIONS CONCERNING GROWTH IN THE BUDGET FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES <br />CIVIC ASSOCIATION AUGUST 1995 <br />1. What has caused a 589 growth in budget for Emergency Services <br />in just 5 years? <br />1995/96 department request. _ $13.3 million* <br />1991/92 actual = 8.4 million <br />5 year growth $4.9 million <br />*This was requested by the department; it is not what <br />they got after administrative staff reduction. <br />5 Roos 95 (��r10 0 <br />SEPTEMBER 69 1995 <br />