Laserfiche WebLink
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final <br />6.1 % increase over the previous year's initial budget. <br />July 9, 2025 <br />The Property Appraiser's request for the fiscal year was $5,638,119, which marked <br />an increase of $348,101 from last year's budget of $5.29 million. This allocation <br />included provisions for employee raises. <br />The Clerk of Circuit Court submitted a budget request that reflected a modest 2.3% <br />increase, raising their budget from $1,526,345 to $1,561,100, an increase of <br />$34,755. This additional funding was intended to accommodate cost -of -living <br />adjustments and support 1.25 new full-time positions, as well as criminal justice <br />financing software. <br />For the Tax Collector's budget, which was due on August 1, 2025, staff estimated a <br />significant 10.4% increase, amounting to approximately $448,823, bringing the total <br />budget from $4.29 million to $4.74 million. <br />Supervisor of Elections requested a 6.9% increase of $155,736, raising their budget <br />from $2.26 million to $2.42 million, primarily driven by the need for an additional GIS <br />specialist and rising costs associated with new legislation. <br />The Value Adjustment Board's budget was also set to increase from $64,809 to <br />$70,000, reflecting additional costs for contractual services for outside legal <br />assistance. <br />He noted that the Sheriffs current budget was $78,911,955, with a recommended <br />increase to $83,646,672, which amounted to $4.734 million or a 6% increase. <br />The Chairman called for a recess at 9:49 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:05 <br />a.m. with all members present. <br />Property Appraiser Wesley Davis acknowledged the County's financial challenges but <br />highlighted his success in maintaining a steady workforce of 39 full-time employees <br />since 2010, despite budget cuts. The budget was fully funded for current positions, <br />with an emphasis on leveraging technology and managing rising contract costs. Mr. <br />Davis anticipated returning nearly $300,000 to the County at fiscal year-end and <br />maintained a cautious hiring approach based on available talent. <br />Chairman Flescher commended Mr. Davis for his innovative and fiscally responsible <br />strategies that have preserved departmental efficiency without overburdening <br />taxpayers. Commissioner Earman noted the successful collaboration between county <br />staff and the Property Appraiser's office, citing a reduction in public inquiries about <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 6 <br />