Indian Rocks Beach Reviews Sheriff Service Contract for 2009Costs to increase 6.7%By Bill Lopez
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH -The city moved closer to completing a contract with the Sheriff Department for another year beginning October 1, 2008. Upon receipt of a report dealing with the Pinellas County services, the City Council will likely approve the new contact that was discussed at Tuesday's Council meeting. The annual IRB budget for sheriff services is for $858,180. This includes an increase over the present year cost of 6.7 percent and is approximately 14 percent of the city's annual budget. While overall costs will increase by $58,826 in the year ahead, per deputy costs assigned are $76,026 up from $73,019. The contract states that two deputies will be on duty 24/7 and that requires a pool of approximately six deputies that are assigned to Indian Rocks Beach. Autos and equipment are the other major expanse. The city and county use a mileage rate of 53.2 cents per mile with an estimated 50,925 miles driven over 12 months by two patrol vehicles. The previous cost-per-mile rate was 29 cents. Supporting the service contract is the Law Enforcement Activity Analysis of Beach Communities report based on crime and incident activity for January-October 2007. The report indicates there were 9,627 service calls during the ten month period but only 11 arrests and 752 citations.
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