Commission will approve budget tonight

The Sarasota City Commission will approve a budget on second reading and public hearing tonight at its Monday, Sept. 19 regular city commission meeting.

The regular meeting begins at 2:30 p.m., recesses at 4:30 p.m. and reconvenes at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

On first reading earlier this month, commissioners approved by a 3-2 vote a budget that calls for a 5.3% millage rate increase.

The millage rate would rise from 2.7771 mills to 2.9249 mills if it’s approved tonight.

One mill equals $1 in property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.

If the commission officially approves the higher millage rate on second reading, it will generate an additional $842,617 and only require the city to use $1,155,909 in reserves to balance an overall 2012 budget that increased $11 million from the current fiscal year budget.

City staff’s previous suggestion was to keep the millage rate at 2.7771 mills and take $2 million out of reserves to cover a budget shortfall that was $6 million when it was first presented in June.

The increase in millage would also pay for $459,490 worth of expenses and operations costs for the Lido Pool and Robert L. Taylor community center.

Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Commissioners Paul Caragiulo and Willie Shaw approved the millage rate and recommendations proposed by staff earlier this month.

Vice Mayor Terry Turner and Commissioner Shannon Snyder voted against the motion that was made by Shaw.

Also at its meeting, the commission will:

Hear:
• An update to the Community Redevelopment Agency grant guidelines and policies.
• A presentation about homelessness.
• A presentation by Commissioner Paul Caragiulo regarding the city’s administration.

Consider adopting:
• A table of organization for city government as required by the city charter.
• A special events fee schedule for the use of city parks.

Consider approving:
• A purchase agreement for the sale of city-owned property on 18th Street.

Discuss:
• A change in direction of the Youth Advisory Board.
• Amending the city code to allow for the removal of city board members based on a lack of attendance at board meetings.
• Amending the city code to allow pedicab vehicles the same rights as low-speed vehicles.
• A potential referendum to ask the city’s voters whether the charter should be amended to allow commissioners’ annual salary to be increased up to the full salary authorized by state statutes.

For more information, check www.yourobserver.com tonight for a recap of tonight’s meeting.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].