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BUOK 96 PAGF 736 <br />Commissioner Tippin agreed this is an excellent program. <br />However, the State is cutting back on a host of vitally important <br />programs, particularly children's programs, and in the early spring <br />the County will be faced with some very important decisions. He <br />could not support funding at this point in time. <br />Chairman Macht wondered if the Commissioners would be willing <br />to consider $10,000 if funding could be found from other sources, <br />and Commissioner Adams responded that she did not feel able to <br />offer anything at this time. <br />MOTION WAS MADE by Commissioner Adams, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Bird, that the Board deny funding at <br />this time. <br />Chairman Macht emphasized that the program is an excellent one <br />with measurable results in costs to law enforcement and the <br />judiciary. He stressed that what government can give with one <br />hand, they can take away with the other. <br />Sheriff Gary Wheeler made one last plea for funding for the <br />program which he considered to be extremely worthwhile. He did not <br />consider himself to be a "bleeding heart" but felt the program <br />saves many times $35,000 a year with a recidivism rate of less than <br />50%. The program keeps offenders from being rearrested and <br />multiplying 50% by what it costs to house them in jail and what it <br />costs the community in abuse to its citizens provides a benefit <br />whose savings is worth far more than the funding requested. He <br />stated that the money in his forfeiture fund will have to be used <br />for the Florida Crime Information Center system upgrade known as <br />FCIC2, which is mandated. Sheriff Wheeler stressed that this <br />program is something that benefits Indian River County by doing a <br />great service for the sons and daughters of people who live in this <br />community. <br />Chairman Macht inquired whether the purchase of the Sheriff's <br />step van could be deferred, and Sheriff Wheeler responded that the <br />ERT group is being used much more frequently which creates problems <br />in that the team members and their equipment are someplace else and <br />must be called in each time. The van will save valuable minutes in <br />having a command post for incidents we are seeing today such as <br />hostage taking, suicide, drug raids and rescue missions. <br />DECEMBER 5, 1995 <br />