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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final July 9, 2025 <br />underscoring the crucial role these resources play in maintaining public safety. <br />Concerns were raised about how funding was prioritized, particularly regarding the <br />allocation of resources to non-essential expenditure such as Sandridge Golf Course <br />and the Chamber of Commerce, rather than the salaries of Deputies, who play a vital <br />role in ensuring community safety. Several speakers cautioned that neglecting the <br />budgetary needs of the Sheriffs Office could spark a workforce crisis, jeopardizing <br />both safety and operational effectiveness. This situation could lead to a mass <br />departure of Deputies seeking better pay elsewhere. Community members expressed <br />concerns about the welfare of law enforcement personnel and the impact of budget <br />decisions on public safety. They emphasized the need for fair compensation, <br />recognition of the contributions made by civilian staff, and sufficient support for law <br />enforcement. The speakers urged a reevaluation of budget priorities to ensure <br />sufficient funding for both law enforcement and community programs, highlighting the <br />importance of these measures for the safety and well-being of both personnel and the <br />communities they serve. <br />Chairman Flescher remarked that it had been suggested that the Board had not <br />adequately addressed needs over the years. He, however, had a very different <br />memory and a strong recall of what had occurred during the last few budget cycles, in <br />the interest of public awareness and for the benefit of the Board, as well as those who <br />spoke. He requested that the County Administrator review the numbers that had been <br />tracked over the past few years, specifically regarding the sheriffs salaries. He noted <br />that the Sheriff had the discretion to allocate the budget as he saw fit and was not <br />required to direct funds strictly to where they were requested. Therefore, within his <br />approved budget, he could make adjustments. <br />In response to the public's feedback, Administrator Titkanich discussed the golf <br />clubhouse at Sandridge, which operated as an exclusive, self-sustaining business <br />funded solely by golfers. Additionally, he pointed out that the funding for the Chamber <br />of Commerce included a $1 million allocation, alongside an additional $350,000 <br />designated for Sebastian. Moreover, $2.3 million collected from Tourist Development <br />Taxes supported various tourism initiatives. Recent changes in legislation may have <br />opened the door for utilizing these funds for lifeguard services at County beaches, <br />which could save about $1.2 million over the following two years. <br />In response to Chairman Flescher, County Administrator Titkanich discussed the <br />Sheriffs office budget and salary trends for 2022-2025, highlighting a significant <br />funding increase from $57.8 million to $79.6 million. For the 2023-2024 fiscal year, <br />civilians received a 5% raise, while details for sworn personnel remained uncertain <br />due to the implementation of a new pay step plan. Concerns arose about sustaining <br />budget increases, particularly since expected tax revenue growth did not meet the <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 11 <br />