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the Office of Budget and Management. He clearly understood the Commission's position in trying to provide the best services to the people for their tax dollars. The new mall and adjacent plaza will place a heavy demand on law enforcement services. Sheriff Wheeler pointed out that a comparison of having some delays in the provision of services by the Building and Planning Departments is not equitable to delays in providing emergency services to the community. He emphasized that he does not have any contingencies in case of another hurricane coming through our county. Since he has taken office, the county's population has increased by 10,000 people and the SR -60 corridor has developed significantly. Knowing that a certain amount of population is going to generate a certain amount of calls, his department tries to plan the same way as the Planning Department does for traffic generating from new projects. Sheriff Wheeler felt the budget reduction recommendations are arbitrary because any further budget reduction will have a substantial effect on the services they will be able to provide. The proposed increase of $760,000 in his budget would not be adequate to fund a 3% COLA increase, the continuation of the pay plan, and overtime, which increased $100,000 this year. In order to do that, they would have to find an additional $178,000 from capital expense, such as new vehicles. In conclusion, Sheriff Wheeler emphasized the need to provide the best services at the lowest budget. He urged the Board to budget an adequate amount of dollars that would enable his department to continue to provide necessary services to the community. Chairman Adams opened the meeting for public discussion. Earl Myers of 855 Starboard Drive, resident of the county for many years, expressed his concern about the proposed reductions in the Sheriff's funds resulting in reduced services to the community. He compared Vero Beach and Indian River County to a small town in Kansas where there was a large increase in the crime rate and law enforcement response as a result of a new Target Store. Bob Sabot, Ph.D., 756 10th Avenue, related how he got involved in Crime Watch 7 years ago and now is head of the Neighborhood Watch program. He believed that anything that can be done to increase the budget in that area would be welcome, even if it means raising the millage rate a bit. Ben Elmo, resident of Sebastian, emphasized that the Sheriff's Department sorely needs whatever the Sheriff is requesting. He 87 BOOK �� JULY 239 1996