Budget talks: Raise millage rate to 3.39%

Sarasota County Administrator Randall Reid started Sarasota County Commission budget talks Tuesday with some positive news: It looks like Sarasota County is in economic recovery.

Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Christine Robinson stopped Reid to note that “the Barbetta scenario” perhaps had come to fruition. That was what Commissioner Jon Thaxton dubbed a positive economic outlook delivered by Commissioner Joe Barbetta at a previous meeting of commissioners.

The improving outlook is accompanied by a 3% increase in the county preliminary budget over last year, with spending projected at $834 million in the 2013 fiscal year. Total county millage rate, which represents property taxes, is set at 3.39% for 2013 compared with 3.33% in the previous fiscal year.

Both capital and operational spending will increase in 2013, according to the preliminary budget. Spending on major capital improvements, including a new emergency operations center designed to withstand the Category 5 hurricanes, drives the budget increase, as does a forecasted oil price hike. The latter has the county estimating gas to cost $4.94 per gallon and diesel fuel to cost $5.29 per gallon in the 2013 fiscal year, up 10% and 6%, respectively, more than 2012 rates.

One of the first budget items discussed at the first of the commission workshops was annual funding for two legal programs for low-income individuals. Budget Director Steve Bothelo told commissioners that the Gulfcoast Legal Services and Legal Aid of Manasota would need $50,000 from the county’s general fund to remain solvent, which commissioners said they support on the grounds that the program is seeking ways to become self-sufficient. 

Thaxton made a motion for the commission to draft a letter to program coordinators reminding them that the general fund has been supporting the program for a number of years, and they will continue to do so this year, but are looking forward to hearing plans on how it will become self-sufficient in the future.

Another big issue was the funding for the mosquito-control program, Bothelo told the Pelican Press in a phone interview. The millage rate, or property tax, used to fund the program was lowered in 2004, but the preliminary budget has the rate more than tripling to 0.08% compared to the previous year. The county collected $1.04 million for the program in the 2012 fiscal year, but the rate increase is projected to bring spending on the mosquito program to $2.99 million.

Another budget workshop will be held Friday, June 15, in which commissioners will hear updates from Sarasota County Public Works on capital improvement projects. Commissioners will summarize their financial directions for the 2013 fiscal year budget and consider the tentative millage rate, which must have a maximum range set by July 11.

The County Commission will adopt the new budget Monday, Sept. 24 for the 2013 fiscal year.

TO PROTECT AND SERVE
Commissioner Nora Patterson at a public forum for Sarasota County Commission candidates told the Pelican Press that when it comes to budget expenditures, public safety is a priority. This was in response to letters from such organizations, as the Siesta Key Village Association and the Siesta Key Condominium Council, urging commissioners to prioritize the search for funding options to pay for the more than $16 million improvements planned for Siesta Key Beach.

Commissioner Patterson, who represents Siesta interests with the District 4 seat, explained that the 800-megahertz mass communications upgrade for 38 emergency agencies in Sarasota County should receive funding priority, if necessary. Commissioners at budget workshops in May expressed support for the new system.

Here are some capital projects for the men and women who protect Sarasota County in the line item 2013 preliminary budget:

Emergency Operations Center
Cost: $15,334,279
2013 FY funding: $12,100,527
Start: October 2008
Projected completion: September 2014

800-Megahertz Emergency Communications System
Cost: $14,850,000
2013 FY funding: $0
Start: October 2010
Projected completion: September 2025

Sheriff’s Gun Range Expansion
Cost: $878,540
2013 FY funding: $0
Start: October 2002
Projected completion: September 2013

Sheriff’s Office Helicopter Fuel Tank
Cost: $152,000
2013 FY funding: $0
Start: October 2010
Projected completion: September 2013

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