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Emergency Services District Fund
<br />• The total budget proposed for next fiscal year is $59,144,806, reflecting an increase of $1,654,420 or 2.9%
<br />(page 28). A summary of the major impacts on the Emergency Services District (ESD) is provided as
<br />follows:
<br />• Ad valorem tax roll — 13.8% increase, generating $5,942,669 in additional revenue,
<br />assuming 95% collections at proposed millage rate.
<br />• Millage rate — 2.3531, no change from last fiscal year.
<br />• Additional 13.33 FT positions — $1,440,655 (3.33 FT positions are mandated by the IAFF Contract for
<br />a total of $322,740).
<br />• Increased Retirement Cost — $1,551,274 or 21.2%.
<br />• Budgeted ALS charges increasing $396,920 or 5.5%.
<br />• Capital budget of $2,659,564.
<br />The proposed District budget includes the addition of 13.33 full-time positions for a total cost of
<br />$1,440,655. This includes the addition of three (3) Emergency Operation Battalion Chiefs, three (3) Fire -
<br />Medics, three (3) Rescue Sergeants and one (1) Training & Safety Captain. These positions are greatly
<br />needed due to the increase in call volume and span of control from North to South County, along with the
<br />need for additional rescue staff to help serve the Vero Lake Estates and Fellsmere areas. Although not
<br />specifically appropriated, staff has included funding for overall salary and benefit increases, as the County
<br />and IAFF are still currently engaged in negotiations. The proposed budget also includes funding for
<br />$2,659,564 in budgeted capital outlay including four (4) staff vehicles ($272,000), Station 15 construction
<br />($1,460,000), an upgraded training site at EOC ($550,000), and various other equipment.
<br />Proposed Non -Ad Valorem Rate Changes
<br />No changes to the streetlighting districts non -ad valorem rates are being requested for the upcoming fiscal
<br />year.
<br />As previously mentioned, the SWDD budget has been impacted by the maximum CPI increases in the
<br />Waste Management, Republic Services, and Atlas Organics contracts, overall tonnage increases due to the
<br />growing population, and increased costs in the transportation of recyclables due to rising diesel fuel prices.
<br />An increase of $300,000 in leacheate pre-treatment expenses is also being requested, as the Heartland
<br />Leachate Evaporator became operational during the current fiscal year. Long Term Care and Closure costs
<br />also continue to rise, with a $1,100,000 or 62.7% increase on the budget. The budget also includes $9.6M
<br />for the design, permitting, and construction of Cell III of Segment 3 Class I Landfill, $2M for the LFG
<br />expansion of Cell II of Segment 3, $150K for site drainage improvements, and $200K for design of a
<br />dedicated right -turn lane along 741h Avenue with an vehicle gate and license plate cameras.
<br />• Due to the continuing need to increase the annual special assessment to keep pace with the increased
<br />costs, in early 2020 staff initiated a review of landfill tipping fees and the overall assessment program to
<br />improve the financial sustainability of SWDD. The previous rate model had been in place since 1995.
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