Read the latest articles about topics that are effecting our community.
All local governments in the county are receiving more money this year than last year. They will also see more money next year than this year if they maintain current millage rates because property values are increasing. Our overall local tax revenue did not take as...
Yes, there is a reduction of parking spots available with these terraces, and yes, in the case of the City of Sarasota, a loss of direct parking income with their parking meters. However, there will also be an increase in sales tax collected on the food served and...
The American Rescue Plan is about to send a remarkable influx of federal dollars into local governments. The US Department of Treasury came out with guidance this week for $110.7 billion headed to county and city governments around the country. This is a pivotal...
"When President Joe Biden was candidate Joe Biden, he was very clear on his position on affordable housing. Local and state regulations were an affordable housing problem that also led to other problems in climate change and transportation. No one should be surprised...
"Now, today, we are finding shortfalls for sudden unprioritized issues in some governments because they failed to budget and plan. Some governments are seeking more revenue sources for items or issues they never identified as a budget priority nor directed staff to...
"According to the community movement Strong Towns, the first of the five immutable laws of affordable housing is that 'developers don’t pay the costs of construction: tenants and buyers do.'" "What this means is that fees don’t just magically disappear, and it’s not...
Sarasota County has taken some important actions to try to make a dent in the affordable housing problem. It has been aggressive, using data and proven techniques which try not to fight the market with requirements and regulations, a method that failed miserably and...
Christine Robinson, a former county commissioner and executive director of the pro-business group, the Argus Foundation, said that while she encourages the county to add the words “mental health” to its priorities this year, it should not create a separate taxing...
