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FROM THE DESK OF ERIC FLOWERS SHERIFF August 11, 2025 Indian River Board of County Commissioners 180127" Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 Chairman Joseph Flescher and Board of County Commissioners, As the priority of government is public safety, I have every confidence the budget for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office will be approved as submitted. As relayed in my letter of July 23, 2025, in good faith, I revised my original budget from $14,635,721 to $12,214,886, leaving both unfunded and deferred needs. While I anticipate it will not be necessary, any further cuts on your part will require written details of what items you chose not to fund in accordance with Florida State Statute 30.49. As you are likely aware, Florida Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, has recommended all Florida government entities utilize a zero -based budget, a practice I started at my first budget submission as Sheriff in 2021. Had Indian River County used the sound financial process of zero -based budgeting, it would have revealed the funds necessary to approve my budget are available. Recently, all Florida Sheriffs, including myself, met with Governor Ron DeSantis and CFO Ingoglia. Their message was clear; counties and cities need to start their zero -based budgeting process by funding public safety first, and then using the remaining dollars for other expenses. I am sure I join many Florida residents in welcoming CFO Ingoglia's revamp of the Federal DOGE process into Florida's version, unofficially titled, Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight (FAFO), and the plan to hold counties accountable for their use of tax dollars. It is my understanding that the Board is holding a continuation of the July 09, 2025, budget workshop, today, August 11, 2025. As I am sure the Board is aware, today is the first day of school in Indian River County. My team and I will be out providing additional law enforcement coverage at various schools throughout the day. Over the past several years, we have enhanced school safety on multiple fronts to include expanding our School Resource Team, adding explosive and contraband detecting K9s, implementing metal detectors, and improving threat alert systems. As you well know, tour --children are -the-== _-- heartbeat and the future of our community. My multiple attempts to negotiate in good faith with the County Administrator have been met with resistance and a clear lack of understanding about the public safety priorities Governor DeSantis has set for local government. The men and women of the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, as well as the great people of our community recognize the importance of first responders and are counting on you to fund our essential mission. Indian River County continues to be a great, safe place to live, work, and play because of the hard work ur fir ponders. Your SheriOw &;=moo Eric Flowers 772.978.6404 1 EFLOWERS@IRCSHERIFF.ORG 1 4055 41ST AVE I VERO BEACH, FL 32960 NO TAX PAYER FUNDS WERE USED IN THE CREATION OF THIS ITEM. PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF ERIC FLOWERS.