Commission approves 5.3% millage increase

The Sarasota City Commission approved a budget on second reading and public hearing at its Monday, Sept. 19 regular city commission meeting that calls for a 5.3% millage rate increase.

The millage rate will rise from 2.7771 mills to 2.9249 mills.

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

The millage rate increase will generate an additional $842,617 and 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 will 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 budget as proposed.
Also at its meeting, the commission:

Heard:
• An update to the Community Redevelopment Agency grant guidelines and policies.
• A presentation about homelessness.

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

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

Amended:
• The city code to allow pedicab vehicles the same rights as low-speed vehicles.

Rescinded:
• A previous suggestion for 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.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].