Sarasota County Commission tackles tourist taxes

Sarasota County commissioners will consider a two-year extension of the use of a portion of tourist development taxes for beach maintenance during an April 9 regular meeting.

The Tourist Development Council, during a Jan. 17 meeting, recommended the continued use of 4% of bed tax revenue collected from short-term rentals towards activities such as staff support for beach events and trash collection.

Other items on the County Commission agenda include:
• The costs and benefits of a program aimed at installing wildflowers on roadsides and medians throughout the county.
• A Federal Transit Administration grant application for $3.6 million for local transit capital projects.
• Nominations for a new committee to study options for the future of the Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency
• The purchase of 18 clean-diesel buses for $6.9 million

IF YOU GO
What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 9
Where: R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice