INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Homeowners living in the unincorporated portion of Indian River County can expect to see a slightly higher tax bill this year, if the County Commission approves County Administrator Joe Baird’s recommendation.
The net increase in taxes is expected to be 3.8 percent for the average homeowner, according to County Finance Director Jason Brown.
While property values county-wide are up an average of 7 percent, Baird is proposing an increase to the county’s property tax rate by 0.7 percent. The rate’s increase would be offset by a reduction to the county’s 2004 land acquisition millage.
However, a nearly 14 percent increase to the county’s Emergency Services District – fire rescue and paramedics – is expected to override the savings homeowners would have seen. Only the Town of Indian River Shores does not pay the Emergency Services District tax.
In the budget, Baird recommends hiring 31 new positions, most of which would be placed in the Emergency Services District. Other departments to receive new staff include Transportation, and the Property Appraiser’s Office. The Clerk of Court Office eliminated two positions.
Baird noted that the County cut 262 positions – or 27 percent – during the recession. The proposed hires bring the number of cut jobs to 231, or 21 percent.
“We’re still not back where we were,” Baird said, adding that he does not anticipate the County reaching the pre-recession staffing levels it once had.
This is the last year County Administrator Baird is expected to present the budget to the Board of County Commissioners. Baird is retiring in 2016 and plans to hand over the budget mantel to his successor before July 1.
