|
Two public employee unions represent a significant share of county employees:
<br />Teamsters (261 employees) and International Association of Firefighters (269 employees)
<br />The county sees 120 building permit applications per day.
<br />The county government's 2024 State Legislative Program identifies the issues of
<br />funding opportunities, beach renourishment/restoration, home rule, opposition to
<br />unfunded mandates, concerns about homeowners' insurance, maintaining responsibility
<br />for local planning/zoning decisions, BCC member electronic participation in meetings on
<br />a limited basis, unfunded mandates/costs with septic to sewer upgrades, funding
<br />requests for specific septic to sewer and water system projects, and fulfilling significant
<br />septic to sewer requirements
<br />The 2022-2026 five-year capital improvement plan includes ($ figures are 5 -year totals):
<br />beach renourishment ($12,700,000), conservation and aquifer recharge ($14,568,500),
<br />emergency services facilities ($35,771,198), facilities management ($33,968,317), parks
<br />and recreation ($25,590,590), sewer and water ($85,458,953), solid waste ($26,315,000),
<br />stormwater management ($14,400,000), and transportation ($203,145,852).
<br />The five-year Indian River County MPO Transportation Improvement Plan identifies
<br />specific priority projects and funding sources involving roads, traffic operations and
<br />maintenance, traffic safety, public transit, aviation, transportation studies, and bicycling,
<br />walking, and trails. There is an MPO 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan for the county
<br />which was approved in 2020. The total funds for all projects in this plan are just over
<br />$400 million with $295 million coming from federal support. The plan utilizes national
<br />performance metrics involving quality, safety, efficiency, environmental preservation,
<br />abating congestion, and successful project delivery.
<br />Growth may occur through infill development within present urban areas, redevelopment,
<br />or development of undeveloped property. Urban development in the county is authorized
<br />to proceed as New Towns and Traditional Neighborhood Design.
<br />A 2022 Indian River County MPO Land Use Vision Study identified these suggested
<br />guidelines for future land use planning: conserve environmentally valuable assets,
<br />provide a spectrum of housing options, ensure mobility through transportation
<br />infrastructure investment, promote economic growth, preserve agriculture, and protect
<br />rural areas. Flexible agricultural zoning policy options, studying the urban service
<br />boundary, and tools of low impact development design all could be considered by
<br />policymakers and staff. The County is currently engaged in the process to evaluate the
<br />impacts of future growth and its Comprehensive Plan through the Evaluation and
<br />Appraisal process as set forth in the Florida Statutes.
<br />The 2021/2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report confirms the county government
<br />has effective internal controls and appropriate policies, an award-winning team of public
<br />finance professionals, and is financially sound.
<br />The sources of support for these statistics and statements are:
<br />INDIAN RIVER COUNTY • 2023 GOAL SETTING PROCESS & WORKSHOP FINAL REPORT • Page 6
<br />204
<br />
|