06-09-2011, 12:22 PM
In 1976, the cities in Sarasota County joined in a lawsuit against the county alleging the county violated the Florida Constitution saying, "… municipalities shall not be subject to taxation for services rendered by the county exclusively for the benefit of the property or residents in unincorporated areas."
The best example is the sheriff's road patrol. Cities with police forces respond to calls within their city limits, yet city property owners still pay taxes to support the sheriff.
The case twice went to the Florida Supreme Court, which ruled in the cities' favor.
According to Clapp's analysis, the cities pay slightly less than 40 percent of the county's revenues overall. But when broken down to per-citizen amounts, the numbers change. Each resident in the unincorporated area pays $330.83, while a Sarasota city resident pays $435.97. A Longboat Key resident pays $1,566.92.
Seward's figures show the City of Sarasota generated $19,444,937 in ad valorem revenue in FY 2003 in the county. Expenditures on services for the City of Sarasota totaled $24,608,769.
The report examines the sheriff's office, the jail, animal services, court bailiffs, investigations, road patrol, 911 center, beach, lifeguards, emergency operations, K-9 search and rescue, physical environment, transportation, economic environment, human services, and culture and recreation.
"There may be some imbalances," said Thaxton. "We need to......"
http://www.pelicanpressonline.com/localnews/123463689.html
The best example is the sheriff's road patrol. Cities with police forces respond to calls within their city limits, yet city property owners still pay taxes to support the sheriff.
The case twice went to the Florida Supreme Court, which ruled in the cities' favor.
According to Clapp's analysis, the cities pay slightly less than 40 percent of the county's revenues overall. But when broken down to per-citizen amounts, the numbers change. Each resident in the unincorporated area pays $330.83, while a Sarasota city resident pays $435.97. A Longboat Key resident pays $1,566.92.
Seward's figures show the City of Sarasota generated $19,444,937 in ad valorem revenue in FY 2003 in the county. Expenditures on services for the City of Sarasota totaled $24,608,769.
The report examines the sheriff's office, the jail, animal services, court bailiffs, investigations, road patrol, 911 center, beach, lifeguards, emergency operations, K-9 search and rescue, physical environment, transportation, economic environment, human services, and culture and recreation.
"There may be some imbalances," said Thaxton. "We need to......"
http://www.pelicanpressonline.com/localnews/123463689.html