Sarasota News Leader

06/14/2013

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THE $8 MILLION QUESTION Sarasota County's 40-acre 17th Street Park, located at 2810 17th St., has facilities for baseball, football, tennis and BMX/Strider bike racing. Image courtesy Sarasota County MONEY FREED UP BY A CHANGE IN THE COUNTY'S OPERATING RESERVES POLICY IGNITES MORE DEBATE OVER HOW THE COUNTY COMMISSION CAN BEST PUT THE FUNDS TO USE By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor The Sarasota County commissioners remained at an impasse this week over how exactly to spend $8 million in one-time funds it freed up with a May 14 vote to change its operating reserves policy. dation, he said, was for the county to spend $1 million on software to update its financial management system. The existing system was implemented in 1995, he pointed out. The upgrade would satisfy several recommenAlthough they focused on sports facilities, the dations the National Institute of Government board members voiced opposing views over Purchasing had made regarding policy and other revisions for the county in the wake of the types and locations. Purchasing Department improprieties discovDuring the commisered in 2011, Botelho sion's June 12 budadded. "So it's a very get workshop, Steve Sports tourism has proven to be good investment." Botelho, the county's extremely beneficial to the community. Then Commissioner chief financial planJoe Barbetta reprised ning officer, raised the Joe Barbetta Commissioner a point he had made matter of the $8 milSarasota County during the board's May lion. One recommen-

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