by Christine Robinson | Aug 21, 2021 | News
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...
by Christine Robinson | Jun 19, 2021 | News
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...
by Christine Robinson | May 15, 2021 | News
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...
by Christine Robinson | Apr 17, 2021 | News
“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...
by Christine Robinson | Mar 20, 2021 | News
“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...
by Christine Robinson | Feb 20, 2021 | News
“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...
by Christine Robinson | Jan 25, 2021 | News
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...
by Christine Robinson | Jan 19, 2021 | News
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...
by Christine Robinson | Jan 16, 2021 | News
The City of Miami, and especially its Mayor Francis Suarez, has decided to seize upon the heavily taxed state business exodus and unroll the red carpet for tech companies. Mayor Suarez has been aggressive and he has been very clear that Miami is open for business. He...
by Christine Robinson | Dec 7, 2020 | News
“Governments at all levels have tried to figure out what to do. They need the private sector to build affordable housing, but inherently place barriers in the way of the private sector in terms of planning documents, regulations, process, and zoning. It’s a...
by Christine Robinson | Oct 20, 2020 | News
“This was a great example of the community coming together, many different facets of the community coming together and most importantly listening to what that particular area, that particular community needed and really following through on it, setting aside any...
by Christine Robinson | Oct 17, 2020 | News
A collaboration of community organizations has helped guide this responsiveness. My Gulf Coast colleague Jon Thaxton has worked closely with leaders from the Argus Foundation, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, local arts organizations, and others to raise a...
