Sarasota County Taxes & 40 million tax dollars spent on Benderson Park

[Media]

Sarasota County commissioners began “budget reductions,” after the commission abandoned a proposal to introduce new taxes only on those who live or operate a business in the unincorporated county. The commission approved a balanced 2018 budget.

However, if the commission doesn’t reduce its expenses, it could risk losing the county’s high credit rating.

The county notified the cities that park reductions could follow, which is a hot-button issue that dogged the commission for years.

Commissioner Charles Hines said, “This is gonna explode. It’s beyond this ... We’ve created this because…”

State investigation on 40 million tax dollars spent on Benderson Park:
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/lo...asota-row-park

Full story:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20...get-reductions

[Unregistered]

Who cares? Why are you wasting time posting this on the Sheriff's Office webpage of LEO Affairs?

[Media]

Who cares? Why are you wasting time posting this on the Sheriff's Office webpage of LEO Affairs?

Thank you for your inquiry. You asked a good question. The article is posted here because the excise tax (aka public safety tax) was going to be used to support the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office budget. However, the Sarasota County commissioners did not approve the proposed new tax.

[Unregistered]

*****Yaaaaaawwwwn********

[Unregistered]

Thank you for your inquiry. You asked a good question. The article is posted here because the excise tax (aka public safety tax) was going to be used to support the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office budget. However, the Sarasota County commissioners did not approve the proposed new tax.

That's true. However:

• It would only be levied against homes and businesses who reside in the unincorporated county limit.
• And as it was proposed, it would have been the 2nd or 3rd highest excise tax in the State of Florida.
• Most counties do not have an excise tax. There is no reason for Sarasota County to initiate one.

Also:

• The cities complain that Sarasota County doesn't spend enough on parks (in the city limits).
• Then the Sarasota County commissioners spend 20 million dollars on one park alone (Benderson Park).
• And now Sarasota County commissioners might reduce spending on others parks (that are in the city).