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• Additional eight (8) FT positions — $777,238.
<br />• Increased Retirement Cost — $430,295 or 4.6%.
<br />• Increased Worker's Compensation Cost — $378,976 or 33.4%.
<br />• Capital budget of $2,781,275.
<br />• Prioritizing Training and Career Advancement — $44,000 for an on -demand learning module & online
<br />learning library subscription, as well as a $16,288 increase in Travel & Registration Fees for educational
<br />opportunities in addition to the IAFF Contract mandated $50,000 allotted for employee tuition
<br />reimbursement.
<br />The proposed District budget includes the addition of eight (8) full-time positions for a total cost of $777,238. This
<br />includes the addition of four (4) Fire -Medics and three (3) Rescue Sergeants solely dedicated to running a second,
<br />"Bravo", unit due to the increased volume of need in specific areas of the County. Once Station 16 is built, these
<br />employees will be moved there. Additionally, Fire Rescue's fleet has now expanded to include over 110 vehicles.
<br />One (1) Equipment Mechanic II is budgeted to allow for faster turnaround times and increased efficiency. Although
<br />not specifically appropriated, Staff has included funding for overall salary and benefit increases, asthe County and
<br />IAFF are still currently engaged in negotiations on wages. The proposed budget also includes funding for
<br />$2,781,275 in budgeted capital outlay including four (4) Staff vehicles ($192,000), pumper ($870,000), boat
<br />replacement ($550,000), laptops ($100,350), fire station upgrades ($355,325), and various other equipment
<br />($713,600).
<br />Proposed Non -Ad Valorem Rate Changes
<br />Nine (9) of the following streetlighting district's non -ad valorem rates have been increased, primarily due to the
<br />increased electric rates of Florida Power & Light.
<br />Streetlighting Districts
<br />FY 2023/24
<br />Parcel/Acre
<br />FY 2024/25
<br />Parcel/Acre
<br />Variance
<br />Laurelwood
<br />$38.00
<br />$44.00
<br />$6.00
<br />Vero Highlands
<br />$43.00
<br />$47.00
<br />$4.00
<br />Laurel Court
<br />$46.00
<br />$48.00
<br />$2.00
<br />Tierra Linda
<br />$48.00
<br />$55.00
<br />$7.00
<br />Vero Shores
<br />$29.00
<br />$34.00
<br />$5.00
<br />Nora Park
<br />$29.00
<br />$32.00
<br />$3.00
<br />Royal Poinciana
<br />$44.00
<br />$51.00
<br />$7.00
<br />Roseland
<br />$1.00
<br />$3.00 1
<br />$2.00
<br />Whispering Pines
<br />$16.00
<br />$25.00 1
<br />$9.00
<br />The SWDD budget has been impacted by CPI increases in the Waste Management, Republic Services, and Atlas
<br />Organics contracts, and overall tonnage increases due to the growing population. Long Term Care and Closure costs
<br />also continue to rise, with a $1,720,000 or 82.7% increase on the budget. The budget also includes $1,200,000 for
<br />C&D operations improvements, $1,425,000 for a dedicated right turn lane, auto -entry gate, and license plate
<br />cameras into the Landfill, and $400,000 for fiber and cameras at Customer Convenience Centers.
<br />Due to the continuing need to increase the annual special assessment to keep pace with the increased costs, Staff
<br />is proposing the following SWDD rates for FY 2024/2025, which have been reaffirmed by the consultant who
<br />performed last year's rate study: --
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