COMMENTARY
MARK SCHUMANN
The Indian River County Commission seems set to give its final approval to Sheriff Deryl Loar’s request for 3 percent across-the-board raises for all 460 Sheriff’s Office employees when it meets for a final budget hearing September 18 at 5 p.m.
The proposed wage increases will be the first in seven years for Sheriff’s Office employees and will cost county taxpayers $811,000. The pay raises, combined with a state-mandated increases in contributions to the Florida State Retirement System, will add $1.8 million to the cost of running the Sheriff’s Office, bringing the total 2013/2014 budget to $38.9 million, an increase of 5 percent.
Across town, the Vero Beach Police Department is facing layoffs and further budget cuts, while negotiators for the city and the union representing its sworn offices have yet to reach agreement on a new contract. The most ardent proponents of the sale of Vero Electric continue to assure the public the city’s budget “crisis” has nothing to do with the proposed sale of the electric system to FPL. The sale-at-any-price-but-don’t-raise-taxes crowd has promised all along handing over Vero Electric for net proceeds of zero (excluding existing reserve funds) would in no way lead to a decline in the city’s ability to deliver vital services.
In an analysis piece published Sunday, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers reported on Taxpayers’ Association president Glenn Heran’s objection to the first wage increases for Sheriff’s Office employees in seven years (reported as five). Though the Taxpayer’s Association board has not announced a position, Heran said he personally objects to the raises because, “My (accounting) business hasn’t appreciably improved. We are still dealing with the same level of resources we had 13 years ago.”
Heran went on to propose tying compensation to supply and demand in the job market. While that may sound like sacred scripture to free market fundamentalists, it amounts to assigning the responsibility for public safety to the lowest bidder.
That approach may sit well with the rule-or-ruin-but-mostly-ruin Tea Party crowd and “limited government” extremist like Heran, but many of the rest of us would prefer to sleep well at night, knowing the law enforcement officers who are protecting us are paid fairly, motivated, and feel justifiably respected for the fine and brave work the do in service to the community.
Indian River Guardian 
I am confused by the Scripps article and I admittedly do not know the facts. Is the assertion that no one in the sheriff’s department has received a raise in the past five years or is the absence of any pay increase limited to the deputies? Did anyone in the agency receive a pay increase during this time period? If so, why was that person more deserving than a road deputy? If the sheriff decided to give some employees pay increases and not others, it appears to be more of an issue of prioritization rather than a lack of funding.
These are questions that should be answered before the public is burdened with an additional tax increase. It appears that Scripps only wrote half of a story.
And why are they using Glenn Heran as a spokesman of sorts? After seeing his presentations before governmental agencies, him blaming the economy for his lack of business puts him in the position of optimistic denial.
No accusations are being made here but I will be surprised if no one in the sheriff’s department has received a pay increase in the past five years. Certainly the hard working men and women who are on the front lines of law enforcement deserve a pay increase but is the money already there and being used for other purposes? I am hoping for some answers before we are burdened with higher taxes.
It makes me furious that a group of people are playing with the safety and well-being of the City’s residents and visitors. Why don’t we just hire some of the security guards who man the gatehouses of various communities – and who are mostly retired? We all know why….and I don’t have to elaborate on that. I would sacrifice the marina and one park before I’d cut back on protection in this town. And, Mr. Heran, maybe your accounting firm hasn’t improved because the numbers you’ve presented at various meetings are questionable. City/County – our police are IMPORTANT!
Ed, The story referred to raises for all Sheriff’s Office employees, so the headline’s reference to only deputies was misleading. My apologies. I just spoke with Sheriff Loar to confirm that the raises will be for all employees in the SO, and he confirmed that. However, he said the pay freeze has been in place seven years, not five.
It is shameful that one of the wealthiest cities in one of the wealthiest counties in the entire USA refuses to pay their police a wage commensurate with the excellent service and professionalism that they willingly provide our city on a daily basis.
Remember you get what you pay for. Who of us would choose Mr. Heran’s accounting firm after seeing his numbers on the sale of Vero Electric to FPL. That’s his problem not the problem of the sheriffs.
You can be sure that his earnings far exceed the earnings of any of our law officers.
Great article, Mark. As for Heran’s comment when he says he personally objects to the raises because, ”My (accounting) business hasn’t appreciably improved. We are still dealing with the same level of resources we had 13 years ago.” That sounds like fancy talk for the fact that he’s not making any money.
The Tea Party mentality is the very thing that is pushing this nation backward. The goal is not really “limited government” as they proclaim. They want no government because they have bought into the absurd myth that civil servants do not earn their income.
It is time for all people but most especially the Tea Party types to recognize that government at all levels exists to do that which the private individual is not able to do for himself.
Thanks for the clarification Mark. I guess my main question is whether or not the wage freeze applied to everyone employed by the department and, if there were exceptions, what was the justification?
To clarify, the Sheriff told me today no employees in the Sheriff’s Office have received wage increases in the past seven years.
My accountant has hired three extra employees in the past three years. Now I know where Mr Heran’s accounts went.