Sarasota News Leader

09/13/2103

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Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Transit (SCAT) budget. However, Commissioner Nora Patterson pointed out that Glama Carter, the SCAT director, told the board earlier this year that about 20 buses "were falling apart." Patterson conceded that characterization "was a little severe," but some of that $2 million might be better spent on new buses. Page 13 Another $572,800 could be saved by reducing the level of mowing in the dry season, he said, and $40,000 could be cut by reducing radar and LED signage across the county. "I'm not willing to go along with that," Patterson said of the proposed library line item reduction. "I'm assuming and trusting Sarabeth's Botelho replied that Carter is working on an- estimate that she needs it," Patterson added, other presentation to the board, which will referring to Sarabeth Kalajian, the county's include the status of equipment. director of libraries and historical resources. OTHER POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS The $100,000 "is a need," Kalajian told the board. "We've had numerous years of reducBotelho also offered the board the option of tions in this specific part of our budget." retreating on a couple of decisions it made in June: an $100,000 increase in funding for Six or seven years ago, she continued, when library collections and the purchase of a long- county budgets reflected the booming econarm mower for tree trimming in county rights omy, her allocation for new materials was as high as $1.5 million. At the lowest level of the of ways, at a cost of $246,950. A chart presented to the public on Sept. 9 shows a reduction in expenses the County Commission approved on Sept. 6. Image courtesy Sarasota County

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