County projects total: $107.9 million

In the next five years, Sarasota County expects to collect about  $173 million in revenue from the one-cent sales tax voters passed to fund infrastructure improvements. 

On Friday, county staff outlined how to spend some of that money, with a list of critical projects totaling $107.9 million over the next five years. 

Two of the programs are new additions to the usual surtax fund allocation: the Parks, Renovation, Upgrade and Replacement program and the Railroad Crossings program, asking for $980,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, over the next five years. The railroad program listed eight railroad/street intersections that need improvements to maintain the quality of the roadway.

The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department is requesting $980,000 to fund 19 projects deemed critical for funding, from tennis court resurfacing to handicap-accessible improvements in the next five-year budget cycle. 

However, the new parks program and a $1.3 million bus shelter program for Sarasota County Area Transit raised some commissioners’ eyebrows. Both the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department and Sarasota County Area Transit have hired outside consultants to perform analyses of services and resources to see if the departments are running efficiently and in what areas the county’s services are lacking. 

Commissioners questioned the practicality of funding any major renovations until after the completion of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. In February, commissioners approved a nearly $300,000 contract to hire a consultant to complete the plan.

“Given that we just approved that contract, it's unusual to have this (proposal),” Commissioner Paul Caragiulo said. 

In terms of SCAT and the park department’s requests, Caragiulo said after the meeting that it seemed strange to proceed with projects that could change later based on the analyses.

SCAT’s request to purchase additional bus shelters was estimated to cost $1.35 million to build 45 new shelters in the five-year budget. SCAT also requested $17.4 million for vehicle replacement purchases, with $12.1 million eligible for a grant.

“It’s awful to watch folks stand on U.S. 41 without (shelters), but I’m curious, we’re going through this analysis — what if we discover we have an issue?” Commissioner Christine Robinson asked during the discussion.

County staff will bring the proposed five-year fiscal year surtax priorities back to the board for approval at the May 15 budget workshop.

The surtax is the one-cent sales tax that’s divvied up to pay for capital improvement projects for the county, school district and all municipalities. 

Total revenue amount for the county in fiscal year 2014 was $31.6 million.