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Indian River County has a comparatively low property tax rate, available building sites, and access to major transportation arteries to attract new employers/expand existing businesses. Indian River County Government is a general-purpose government with 17 active dependent and independent special districts. Key budgetary priorities have included sustaining county services, investing in infrastructure, building organizational capacity, and employee professional development and growth. External budgetary factors include fuel costs, chemical prices, supply shortages, the property and casualty insurance market, and a higher Florida Retirement Service employee rate to pay Recruitment and retention of employees and progress on needed maintenance and replacement of capital assets remain priorities. Presently, there are 913 full time employee positions in county government with a current proposed budget of $506,235,729 representing a 12.2% decrease from the prior fiscal year. It ranks 54th of 67 counties in millage rate which is the 4th lowest general fund millage rate in the state. It is 9th of 67 Florida counties in government debt per resident (higher ranking is better). The debt per resident has significantly decreased from $666 per resident in 2012 to $29 per resident in 2021 to $20 in 2022. It is 36th of 67 counties in government spending per resident. The aggregate millage rate is 6.1307. The county government has multiple funding streams: MSTUs, MSBUs, half cent sales tax, state revenue sharing, optional sales tax, gas tax, tourist tax, waste collection fee, impact fees, and special districts (emergency services, streetlighting) — all have increasing revenue productivity except impact fees. In 2022, county voters approved $50 million for environmental preservation. The County will issue two tranches of $25 million debt, of which the first issuance is expected to occur during this fiscal year. As with all local governments in Florida, there is potential for changes in revenue in the future if an economic slowdown occurs. The 2022/2023 budget goals/objectives concerned public safety, effective planning and implementation of services, policies, ordinances, and regulations, protect and enhance natural resources, ensure solid transportation infrastructure, protect and promote the general welfare of residents, and preserve and enhance the quality of life with an array of recreational and cultural opportunities. There are presently 15 fire stations. INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ■ 2023 GOAL SETTING PROCESS & WORKSHOP FINAL REPORT , Page 5 203