07/10/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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_ Public Safety continues to be at the forefront of services provided to the community, through both the Sheriff's Office and Emergency Services (Fire Rescue and Emergency Management). Sheriff Eric Flowers originally submitted his budget request which contained an 11.9% or $8,841,569 increase in funding. County Staff met with the Sheriff and agreed to a $4,782,112 or 6.5% increase over last year's funding, for a total budget request of $78,911,955. This increase will provide substantial additional funding while minimizing the need for a tax rate increase for the residents of Indian River County. Staff supports the Sheriff's amended budget given the importance of providing adequate resources for the vital function of law enforcement, and his efforts in reducing the original request are appreciated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, continued increases in the Sheriff's budget at the levels of the past few fiscal years are fiscally unsustainable. County Administration will continue to work with the Sheriff's Office in this regard. Due to the increased volume of calls for service in specific areas of the County, the Emergency Services District includes the addition of four (4) Fire -Medics and three (3) Rescue Sergeants solely dedicated to running a second, "Bravo" unit. Once Station 16 is built, these employees will be stationed there. I am pleased to report County and Emergency Services Administration has identified a location for Fire Station 15. While we are working with the property owner to finalize land acquisition, Staff is prepared to accelerate the design, engineering, and construction of this site to enhance fire protection services and emergency medical response to the north -central neighborhoods of the County. The site prioritizes the needs of our residents in terms of being near neighborhoods leading to faster response times. FY 2024/2025 Budget Highlights The total proposed budget is $524,719,875, a decrease of $107,923,737 or 17.1% from the current year. Although, it should be noted this is an increase of $17,818,335 or 3.5% from the beginning budget of $506,901,540 for the current fiscal year. A detailed all —fund expense summary is contained in the exhibits following this message (pages 17 and 18). The following chart illustrates the 10 -year trend in the County tax roll. The FY 2024/2025 General Fund tax roll is approximately $2.74 billion or 10.3% higher than the previous fiscal year. Although the current change in taxable values is positive, there is still uncertainty regarding future years' tax roll growth with many economists, while no longer forecasting a recession in 2024, still predict economic growth slowing in 2025. To wit, the County continues to experience a decrease in building activity. Indian River County Countywide Taxable Value (In Billions) FY 2016 - FY 2025 $35.0 $30.0 $29.3 $26.6 $25.0 $23.3 ■ , $20.0 $17.4 $18.6 $19.6 $20.6 $14.3 $15.2 $16.2 $15.0 $10.0 $5.0 $0.0 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 A0ft*11