In The News

Twenty-five years ago, the Sarasota School Board, at the behest of a widely disliked Superintendent, decided to sneak a special referendum on a ballot for July for an additional millage. The school system was on the verge of financial ruin and more money is all the School Board and Superintendent cared about.

The Argus Foundation was highly concerned for North Port taxpayers and businesses as well as the overall financial health of the city when these referenda were placed on the special ballot so quickly. Our concerns centered on insufficient due diligence in understanding taxpayer costs and a lack of comprehensive long-term planning for critical city infrastructure. 

Flooding has hit our community hard recently, beginning with Hurricane Ian in 2022 and then the trio of storms in 2024 of Debbie, Helene, and Milton. These storms brought unprecedented flooding to areas that never used to flood and hardship as structures, vehicles, homes, and belongings were destroyed or severely damaged.