Commission makes budget decision today

The Sarasota City Commission will approve a 2012 fiscal year budget on first reading today at City Hall.
Commissioners received a new list of budget cuts last month from city staff that recommends commissioners make $844,091 in additional budget cuts and approve a 3% millage rate increase.

City staff’s previous suggestion was to keep the millage rate at its current rate of 2.7771 mills and take $2 million out of the $2.9 million reserves budget to cover a budget shortfall that was $6 million when it was first presented in June.

In the proposal, City Manager Bob Bartolotta explains the staff recommended list requires a millage rate of 2.8607 mills. The move would allow the city to use $1,155,909 in its revenue stabilization fund, instead of Bartolotta’s previous suggestion the city use $2 million out of a fund that currently has approximately $2.9 million.

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.

The commission will also discuss suspending city water and seer impact fees for 10 years to help stimulate growth.

Also at its city commission meeting, which runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and reconvenes at 6 p.m., the commission:

Will review:
• A status report of the North Sarasota Business Program Initiative.
• A presentation concerning Sarasota Bayfront activities.
• A presentation from Sarasota County’s Smart Growth/Urban Planning Department.
• An internal audit of the city’s summer youth programs.

Discuss:
• Amending the infrastructure sales surtax 10-year extension expenditure project detail list in accordance with a county ordinance.
• A proposal by Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo to reorganize the Information Technology Department.
• The possibility of installing two sea horses from the former Quay site to the Chidsey Building.
• An appeal by downtown business owner Harry Walia, which disagrees with the Planning Board’s decision to deny a request for additional height for his property at 1400-1420 Main Street.

Consider adopting:
• A table of organization for city government as required by the city’s charter.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].