Budget Task Force Meets Wednesday

Sarasota County will hold another Budget Task Force Meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 6 - 9 p.m.

It will be in the "Think Tank," Third Floor, Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd. Call 941-861-5438.

There will be a live webcast.

Counties throughout Florida have budget problems

Bay's budget problems common statewide

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July 11, 2009 05:27:00 PM

By WILL HOBSON / News Herald Writer

The factors combining to crunch Bay County’s 2010 budget are squeezing counties across the state.

Bay County Manager Ed Smith has worked in county management for the better part of 20 years, since taking a job as the public information officer for Marion County in 1987. He’s worked through boom-and-bust cycles before, when quickly rising or falling property values make it difficult for counties to guess how much ad valorem income there will be for the upcoming fiscal year.

But this latest cycle is unprecedented, he said.

“In terms of adjustment, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this,” Smith said Monday.

In Pinellas even the snakes aren't safe

The displays are being ripped out. There are gaping holes in the walls where they used to be. Only an aquarium remains in the center of the dismantled room, still featuring, for the moment, largemouth bass, Florida gar, bluegill and assorted other fish and turtles.

The signs on the wall give the explanation: Pinellas County budget cuts. ...

People often ask: What happened to ALL THAT MONEY that local governments in Florida raked in when property values were soaring?

Well, here's the answer: We took it back from them. The "runup" of those years has now been canceled out. More...

Foreclosure rate increases dramatically over 2008

Delinquency rates up as well:

How bad as the foreclosure situation gotten in Sarasota? Things were twice as bad in May as they were in the same month a year ago.

According to First American Core Logic, a national provider of real estate ownership data, 7.9 percent of mortgaged properties in the Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice market were in foreclosure in May. In May 2008, that rate was 4.0 percent. More...

The mortgage delinquency rate in Sarasota was 12.9 percent in May 2009. The national average is 6.5 percent.

Rich County, Poor County

from the local paper:

Sarasota County is about to be designated an economic “recovery zone” because so many people have lost jobs and homes.

Considering this part of the Gulf Coast was one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation just three years ago, known for its waterfront mansions and wealthy socialites, the federal designation hardly seems possible. ...

The good news is that the U.S. Treasury will reimburse 45 percent of interest costs for local businesses and governments who borrow money in this new zone for job-creating projects. More...

An increasingly frequent news tale

Fees hiked in state, county

Cost of foreclosure, vehicle registration, driver's license among those to increase

Costs of foreclosures, car registrations and divorce on the rise.

more...

Communities bug out over cuts to mosquito control

Lee Chastant and fellow bug battlers across the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, up the East Coast in Connecticut and on the Great Plains of South Dakota are predicting a bumper crop of the always annoying and sometimes deadly pests. And even in places where dwindling tax revenues haven't forced mosquito control budget cuts, they're concerned about keeping up with the summer swarm.

"We're funded by county taxes, but by the end of last month, I'd blown through my whole chemical budget," said Chastant, a veteran mosquito fighter from Beaumont, Texas. "And we're just now hitting the mosquito season." more...

Tight budgets can't keep fireworks down

...despite well-documented budget issues facing local governments this year, dozens of other cities and organizations throughout South Florida will forge ahead with costly nighttime displays. MOre...

Property values plummet

Assessments are down, but smaller tax bills are hardly a given

By DOUG SWORD

The assessed value of all properties in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties fell by a combined $20 billion last year, pushing the two-year drop in the area to an eye-popping $43 billion. More...

US states face budget meltdowns

By Steve Schifferes Economics reporter, BBC News

Fireworks traditionally mark US Independence Day

Fourth of July celebrations will take place across US cities and states on Saturday to celebrate American independence day. But they are likely to be subdued, with many cities cutting back or eliminating the elaborate firework displays that have been a key feature of the celebrations.

It is the latest sign of the fiscal crisis that is spreading across the nation as the recession has had a dramatic effect on state spending. more...

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON CITY BUDGET

Sarasota, FL - City Commissioners would like to hear your comments about the proposed fiscal year 2009-10 budget prior to the budget workshops when the Commission will begin the decision making process to set the millage rate. A public comment session on the proposed budget will be held Wed., July 15, 2009 at 6 pm in the Commission Chambers at City Hall, 1565 First Street.

Citizens will be given three minutes to comment on the proposed budget. There will be no formal staff presentation.

The proposed budget, including an executive summary, will be posted on the City's website, SarasotaGov.com, after 5pm on Thurs., July 9, 2009.

Jan Thornburg
City of Sarasota
Public Information Officer

Release
941-954-2613
941-650-9693 (Cell)
941-954-4113 (Fax)

NYT:

COCOA, Fla. — A year ago, the Brevard County Schools ran a robust summer program here, with dozens of schools bustling with teachers and some 14,000 children practicing multiplication, reading Harry Potter and studying Spanish verbs, all at no cost to parents. More...

Kevin Riddell for The New York Times

Seventh graders studying last week at Taylor Elementary

Financial Planning on the Agenda:

Tuesday, July 7, the Sarasota County Commission will address the following financial planning items:

10.		FINANCIAL PLANNING
	To approve the standardized Tourist Development Cultural/Arts Grant Agreement for submittal to each Arts Grant Recipient for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010 and to authorize the Chair to execute Grant Agreements to incorporate the approved Grant amounts and Grantee information.

11.	FINANCIAL PLANNING
	To approve the Tourist Development Fiscal Year (FY) 2009/2010 Cultural/Arts Grant recommendations, in the amount of $1,198,643.00, as follows:
A.	Art Center Sarasota, Inc., A Sizzling Season, in the amount of $17,029.00;
B.	Artist Series of Sarasota, Musical Mosaics: Overture and Exit, in the amount of $11,312.00;
C.	Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, Shoulder to Shoulder Project No. 1, in the amount of $81,554.00;
D.	Asolo Center for the Performing Arts, Summer Season Project No. 2, in the amount of $13,176.00;
E.	Banyon Theatre Company, Inc., 2010 Summer Season, in the amount of $6,657.00;
F.	Circus Sarasota, Inc., Circus Sarasota Winter Production, in the amount of $47,712.00;
G.	Coexistence, Inc., Embracing Our Differences, in the amount of $17,035.00;
H.	Florida Studio Theatre, 2010 Sarasota Festival of New Plays, in the amount of $46,602.00;
I.	Florida Studio Theatre, Summerfest 2010, in the amount of $45,631.00;
J.	Florida State University/John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, From the Canals of Venice to the Big Top, in the amount of $93,205.00;
K.	Gulf Coast Heritage Association, Inc., Historic Spanish Point, Heritage Holidays at Historic Spanish Point, in the amount of $15,307.00;
L.	Jazz Club of Sarasota, Inc., 30th Annual Sarasota Jazz Festival, in the amount of $20,688.00;
M.	Jazz Club of Sarasota, Inc., Big Band Bash, in the amount of $1,611.00;
N.	Key Chorale, Inc., Living Music, The Composer’s Craft, in the amount of $8,438.00;
O.	La Musica, Resolution, in the amount of $18,419.00;
P.	PAL/Sailor Circus, 2009 Holiday Spectacular, in the amount of $12,483.00;
Q.	PAL/Sailor Circus, 61st Annual Spring Shows, in the amount of $11,373.00;
R.	The Players, Inc., Broadway Theatre Series, in the amount of $27,961.00;
S.	The Players, Inc., SNAP - Something New at Players, in the amount of $11,928.00;
T.	The Players, Inc., Summer Sizzler Series, in the amount of $7,157.00;
U.	Ringling School of Art and Design, Selby Gallery, 2009-2010 Exhibitions and Visiting Artists; in the amount of $18,863.00;
V.	Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Inc., Downtown with the Sarasota Ballet, in the amount of $91,263.00;
W.	Sarasota Film Festival, Inc., 12th Annual Sarasota Film Festival, in the amount of $82,525.00;
X.	Sarasota Film Society, Inc., Cine-World Film Festival 2009, in the amount of $11,850.00;
Y.	Sarasota Opera Association, Inc., Fall Production: La Traviata, in the amount of $46,117.00;
Z.	Sarasota Opera Association, Inc., Opera Lovers' Weekend, in the amount of $42,719.00;
AA.	Sarasota Orchestra, Seeing Music - Shoulder Season 2009-2010, in the amount of $93,205.00;
BB.	Sarasota Season of Sculpture, Inc., Season Five, in the amount of $22,835.00;
CC.	Selby Botanical Gardens, MSBG Events for 2009-2010, in the amount of $82,525.00;
DD.	Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, World Class Entertainment, in the amount of $85,216.00;
EE.	Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, FridayFest on the Bay at the Van Wezel, in the amount of $7,406.00;
FF.	Venice Little Theatre, Inc., Tourism Through the Arts, Fall to Summer, in the amount of $88,350.00;
GG.	Westcoast Black Theater Troupe, 2009-2010 10th Anniversary Season, in the amount of $10,491.00.

12.		FINANCIAL PLANNING
	To authorize advertisement of a public hearing to consider a proposed Ordinance, amending Ordinance No. 2004-078, as amended and codified in Section 122-34 of the County Code, to increase the Court Facilities Surcharge from $15.00 to $30.00, relating to non-criminal traffic infractions and certain criminal violations.

13.	FINANCIAL PLANNING
A.	To approve expenditure from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund in the amount of $5,000 for the Youth Empowerment and Leadership Development Academy (YELDA) on the ground that the organization provides safe community activities in order to reduce juvenile crime and drug activity.
B.	To adopt a Resolution, Budget Amendment No. 2009-050, amending the Sheriff's Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Budget, to increase the revenues and expenditures of the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, in the amount of $5,000.

14.		FINANCIAL PLANNING
	To authorize the disposal of vehicles and off-road equipment.

15.		FINANCIAL PLANNING
	To authorize the conveyance of surplus property to other governmental agencies and charitable organizations, removal of property from the Fixed and Moveable Asset Detail Inventory System, and auction of surplus/obsolete property.

Budget Task Force Meets Today

Citizens' Budget Task Force meets today at 6 pm at the Think Tank, 3rd floor of the County Admin Center on Ringling Blvd.

Sarasota County Commissioners formed the Budget Task Force on May 12 and appointed members on May 27. The members of the task force are:

• Robert L. Anderson
• R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr.
• Lisa Carlton
• Harrison Fox
• Robert Long
• Eric Resker
• John W. Saputo
• Mary Anne Servian
• Richard Singer
• Joseph J. Welch

The meetings are public and will also be aired live over Access Sarasota TV on Comcast channel 19 and Verizon channel 32 except for the July 15 meeting which residents can watch through a live Webcast on scgov.net.