Do You Think the City of Sarasota Should Increase Taxes?

Officials say they are raising the city millage rate for the first time in two years.

Homes valued at $200,000 and located within Sarasota city limits would see about a $50 surge on their taxes for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. 

Last week, the Sarasota City Commission set the primary millage rate, an amount used to calculate property taxes, at 3.1728. That’s up from last year’s rate of 2.9249. The figures would mean $14.8 million dollar ascension from the city’s budget last year. Making the budget for the city around $191.3 million.

“The city is proposing using a combination of revenue increases and expenditure reductions to balance the budget,” said John Lege, finance director for the city. “Proposed increases include using one-time-only budget transfers, revenue stabilization funds and an 8.4 percent increase in the millage rate.”  

Lege said the increase is primarily due to pension costs, upgrades to the water and sewer system and repairs from Tropical Storm Debbie. Lege said the repairs were mainly for Lido Beach.

While homeowners understand the need for a larger budget for some issues, they feel the city should have to make same sacrifices that average families during the recession. 

“I do not agree with using the additional tax dollars to increase pensions, however; I feel the funds used to improve infrastructure are necessary,” said Dedra Reed, a public school teacher. “it is difficult to contribute to increasing other government employee's pay when teachers' salaries have been on a freeze.”

Reed said she doesn’t mind paying slightly higher property taxes for the city to make repairs caused by Tropical Storm Debbie and improve sewer and water systems. 

“Repairing damages from storms and hurricanes are an expected cost of living in a coastal community,” she said. 

In addition 11 employment positions are being eliminated through attrition for a total reduction of 200 positions citywide, or 25 percent, since 2007, according to Lege.

The positions include and internal auditor, criminal analyst and a communications coordinator.

Two public hearings concerning the proposed budget are scheduled:  Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at 6 p.m.  Anyone interested in speaking about the proposed budget is invited to do so then. (The proposed budget can be viewed on the City’s website: www.sarasotagov.com).

Residents can expect to receive a TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice from the Sarasota Property Appraiser later this summer. 

The City of Sarasota, cannot raise preliminary millage rates once they are established; however, rates can be lowered, according to state statute.