VERO BEACH — Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers is ramping up his call for increased funding from the County Commission, warning that without proper support, public safety could take a serious hit. The sheriff says he needs a $14.6 million increase.
In a statement following last week’s budget presentation, Flowers highlighted the essential role of law enforcement and urged residents to pressure commissioners for fair allocations.
Flowers kicked off his message by expressing gratitude to the community for their backing during the hearing.
“Thank you to our community for the overwhelming support,” he said, also thanking his deputies, civilian staff, and everyday citizens who showed up to voice their opinions. He stressed that law enforcement is the backbone of the county: “Without law enforcement, none of the other things that go on in Indian River County can exist.”
The sheriff made it clear he’s committed to maintaining a safe environment for families and businesses, but he insists the commission needs to step up.
“This commission must fund our budget for us to continue to operate at the appropriate levels to keep our community safe,” Flowers stated. He’s not backing down on the issue, especially when it comes to deputy pay.
“I’m not going to give up until our county commission does the right thing and make sure to allocate the funds to be able to pay our deputies what they deserve,” he added, noting that deputies risk their lives daily and should earn wages on par with those in neighboring counties.
During last week’s budget talks, Flowers pointed out that the commission’s offers fall short, barely covering basics amid skyrocketing expenses. From dog food and vet bills to bulletproof vests and patrol vehicles, costs are at an all-time high.
“If we get shortchanged on this budget, it’s going to have a dramatic impact on our ability to provide services and safety to Indian River County,” he warned.
A stark comparison drove home his point: While the county’s website lists a starting salary of $53,000 for code enforcement officers, deputies begin at just $50,000. In addition, the county plans to add 23 new positions elsewhere in its budget—none of which are for the sheriff’s office.
“Folks, these are your tax dollars at work,” he said. “It is up to you to let your county commissioners know where you want them spending those dollars.”
He encouraged residents to watch the video of the presentation to see the community’s passion and the challenges his team faces.
“See how our deputies were treated. See the passion in the community members when they come out to support us,” Flowers urged. The fight, he emphasized, isn’t over, and public involvement is key. “If you want to see good law enforcement in Indian River County, call, email, or reach out to your county commissioners and let them know that you support our budget request.”
Flowers was quick to clarify that this isn’t personal gain for him—his salary is determined at the state level, like other constitutional officers.
“There’s nothing for me to gain in this fight,” he said. “It’s the honor of my life to fight alongside of our deputies and ensure that they get the pay that they deserve.” He wrapped up by praising his team’s round-the-clock efforts: “Our men and women work hard every day and night to make sure that you and your families are safe, and they deserve this raise.”
A Growing County Facing Bigger Challenges
Indian River County has set a benchmark for law enforcement staffing at 2.09 officers for every 1,000 full-time residents, plus an adjustment for the busy peak seasonal crowd, all to keep public safety in check.
Currently, the Sheriff’s Office has 196 deputies on staff, which translates to approximately 1.66 officers per 1,000 residents—or 1.82 if you include the School Resource Officers (SROs) in the calculation. To meet that target standard, they’d need to increase the total number of officers to 244.
The county population is growing by around 3,000 each year, and Flowers said staying on top of this ratio is key to handling the extra strain on police services and keeping our growing neighborhoods safe.
Since 2010, the overall population here has jumped by 23%, and the unincorporated spots—where the Sheriff’s Office steps in directly—have seen a 28% spike.
Starting Pay Comparison
Detective Sergeant Redstone shared that a starting deputy in Indian River County earns about $50,000 a year, much less than in nearby counties.
- Indian River County SO- $50,618.88
- Saint Lucie County SO- $58,860 (Proposed $60,801)
- Martin County SO- $62,154 (FY’ 25’26- $66,504.95)
- Vero Beach Police PD- $54,167.48 (FY ’25-*26- $58,975)
- Sebastian Police PD- $50,009
- Port Saint Lucie PD- $69,078.01 (FY ’25-’26- $72,531)
- Fort Pierce PD- $55,419.78
- IRC Fire Rescue- $60,001.76
- Florida Highway Patrol- $54,075, Proposed FY’ 25- ’26 $64,890
“We lost a deputy who worked at Vero Beach High School, loved by students and teachers, to Port St. Lucie, where he now earns $79,000,” Redstone said. “He was working 20 hours of overtime a month here just to pay his bills.”
At the same time, 32% of the deputies who quit the sheriff’s office over the past four years ended up sticking with law enforcement jobs at other departments.
Contact County Commissioners:
- Susan Adams – Commissioner, District 1 – (772) 226-1442
- Joseph E. Flescher – Chairman, District 2 – (772) 226-1919
- Joe Earman – Commissioner – District 3 – (772) 226-1433
- Deryl Loar – Vice-Chairman – District 4 – (772) 226-1440
- Laura Moss – Commissioner – District 5 – (772) 226-1473
