News Briefs

+ County Commission to vote Oct. 25 on salaries
The Sarasota County Commission has approved the advertisement of a public hearing on its compensation for the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, with a proposed $606 salary cut for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

During the 2011 fiscal year, the commissioners realized a salary cut of $264, said Shirley E. Wittine, administration operations manager.

The Florida Legislature sets County Commission salaries on the basis of county size. The Sarasota County commissioners’ annual salaries have been set at $78,555 for the next two years. Local tradition calls for the board to vote on its compensation for a two-year period.

“This board for three years either has been flat (in terms of salary) … or in this case may end up (seeing) a reduction, depending on what we do with the travel allowance,” Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson said during the Sept. 27 regular meeting.

Wittine said the commissioners annually estimate their travel reimbursements for the next fiscal year. The maximum allowance is $500, with $50 more going to the chairman for additional appearances linked to that post.

Two years ago, Wittine said, the commissioners tried to reduce their salaries, but County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh advised them the state would not permit that. Their only recourse, he said, was to reduce their travel allowances, which they did.

+ County beginning address verifications
Sarasota County is improving its Geographic Information System address database to ensure that emergency vehicles, first responders and public safety officials can be dispatched to correct addresses. The project includes validating all addresses in the unincorporated county and all municipalities. 

The county has contracted with Geographic Technologies from North Carolina to conduct the fieldwork. The project includes stand-alone buildings and multiple-unit buildings such as apartments, condominiums and townhouses, as well as commercial, retail and office facilities.

GTG’s employees will wear safety vests and photo IDs, county officials said. GTG vehicles will have identifying signs and warning lights. Staff will operate laptops and handheld computers. They also may take digital photographs, but they will work only during daylight hours.

A resident may be asked to supply a site map or unit map when a GTG worker asks to verify an address. No personal information will be collected, just the street name, address number and unit/suite number for each location.

To make certain someone identifying himself as GTG staff is working for the firm, or for information about neighborhood fieldwork, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000.

+ Sarasota offers mobile health services
The Sarasota County Health Department’s Health In Motion Mobile Medical Unit staff will provide free and low-cost health services at 16 sites around the county during October. 

The services will include diabetes education and screening, blood pressure tests, pregnancy testing, HIV and tuberculosis testing, adult immunizations and health education. No appointment is needed. Some services will be free, including HIV rapid testing.