Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 70 fund as well — how much, the committee on the CRA bandwagon. Reducing or elimidoes not say, only that the new CRA govern- nating the CRA budget in Sarasota makes ing board will set a figure. the scheme less attractive to the central and This "skim" could be an important "sales south county cities. Additionally, the unincorpoint" for the County Commission, which porated but semi-urban areas of the county has already allocated the funds that have — Nokomis and Osprey, in particular — have been going to the CRA to its future budgets, tangible infrastructure desires (such as a in preparation for the 2016 expiration of the library) that could be funded by a "skim" of the CRA funds. Sarasota Downtown CRA. The county also has been fighting off efforts Because CRA funding is bondable, presumby other entities — including the Cities of ably the "skim" could be a valid source for Venice and North Port — which want to jump bond financing. But what level of "skim" would A map shows the boundaries of the Downtown Sarasota CRA. Image courtesy City of Sarasota