Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/140592
Sarasota News Leader June 28, 2013 Page 40 "It seems to me that's a major budget item and "I'm not, at this time," Chairwoman Carolyn probably should be put on the table," Patter- Mason replied. son added. The commissioners then directed Reid to preSteve Botelho, the county's chief financial pare two copies of the draft budget for their planning officer, told The Sarasota News next workshop — on July 10 — so they can Leader on June 26 that, excluding constitu- consider the options. tional officers' employees and bargaining units, the total estimate of the pay raise in Reid earlier had pointed out that they would be the FY 2014 budget is $927,000 to the general asked on July 10 to adopt their do-not-exceed fund and an additional $973,000 to other funds millage rate for FY 2014 — though he stressed (utilities, stormwater, water and solid waste, the commissioners already had made the commitment not to raise taxes. for example). No one was certain on June 21 how much the county will have to dip into its reserves for FY 2014 because a number of other decisions on expenditures remained to be made. Nonetheless, Patterson said, "If I were asked today, saying if I've got to fish or cut bait, I would probably support the salary increase …" No other commissioner offered a comment. The board will hold its final budget workshop on Aug. 20. On that same date in 2012, on a 4-1 vote, the board approved a $1,000 lump-sum payment to all non-union county employees. Commissioner Christine Robinson was in the minority that day, saying she did not feel she could approve the measure while the county still was spending reserve funds to balance the budget. "So silence, to me, indicates the board is probably not ready to make that decision," Patter- As requested during the commission's June 12 budget workshop, Reid provided details on son noted. Steven Botelho, the county's chief financial planning officer, listens as County Administrator Randall Reid makes a point during the June 21 budget workshop. Photo by Rachel Hackney