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Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final September 10, 2025 <br />emphasized that this was not the full request and reminded everyone that the <br />Sheriff was not asking for this increase for personal gain, as his salary was <br />determined by the State. She expressed her belief that the discussion around <br />this issue had become overly contentious and hoped the Board would agree <br />to the $6.8 million increase. <br />Administrator Titkanich continued, stating that each year the Florida <br />Legislature set the County's retirement rates. This year, the increase in <br />retirement rates was $3.9 million, which included Constitutional Officers. <br />Additionally, Workers' Compensation expenses rose by $1,072,121, also <br />including Constitutional Officers. The budget included an increase of 20 <br />full -rime positions and an addition of 1.25 full-time Constitutional Officers, <br />resulting in a total increase of 21.25 full-time positions. <br />5. AD VALOREM FUNDS <br />A. Ad Valorem Millage and Ad Valorem Budget (Read each fund separately and make motion for each fund <br />after public input). <br />General Fund <br />0MIT 061 <br />Attachments: General Fund <br />Administrator Titkanich announced that the General Fund proposed millage is 3.5475, <br />6.69% above the rolled -back rate of 3.3250. The proposed budget is $156,982,168. <br />Chairman Flescher stated that, unfortunately, the Sheriff could not attend because he <br />was addressing an emergent matter, but some of his staff were present. He added <br />that, looking at the Sheriffs budget, it was widely agreed that it was a rather significant <br />increase. The Board had spent many hours and engaged in countless discussions on <br />the Sheriff's budget, but it was the Board's obligation to examine and ensure that it <br />was a good steward of taxpayers' dollars. He pointed out that the Board set the <br />millage rate and noted it was one of the lowest in the state. He said that, as a <br />Chairman, he could not make a motion but felt that the Board should return the <br />additional $6 million to the General Fund and fully fund the Sheriffs budget request <br />through the reserve account. Chairman Flescher stated that there was over <br />$685,408,713 in restricted funds, but the unrestricted amount in the account was <br />$78,918,193.35. <br />Commissioner Adams sought and received clarification from Chairman Flescher that <br />Indian River County, Florida Page 2 <br />