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Sarasota News Leader April 12, 2013 Page 39 the county's Office of Financial Planning Services explained to the County Commission on April 9 that since FY 2010, 20 percent of the revenue from one penny of the tourist development tax (TDT) has been allocated to provide additional beach maintenance services. and early-morning shifts "to cover the high volumes" of needs. Ed Exner, manager of horticultural services for the county — whose department has the authority for beach maintenance — explained that the extra funds have paid for more staff hours at all the county's beaches, including those in south county and Lido and Siesta public beaches. For example, he noted, more staff is available on weekends and a swing staff works on Siesta between the evening possible to pursue annual certification for four of the county's beaches, with an initiative for a fifth planned this year. George Tatge, Parks and Recreation Department manager, added that the funds also help pay for signage directing people to beach accesses, restoration of habitat, three program A PowerPoint presentation to the board shows coordinators who manage special events on $523,000 has been projected in proceeds for the beaches and educational efforts. the current fiscal year. Further, Tatge said, the money has made it He explained that the certification brings national awareness about the quality of the beaches and their upkeep. For example, Tatge said, the certification for Siesta helped it earn the No. 1 ranking by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman — aka Dr. Beach — in May 2011. A presentation to the County Commission on April 9 shows the impacts of losing extra funding for beach maintenance. Image courtesy Sarasota County