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10 percent of the property appraiser's "just market value." Mattison also pays the prop- erty taxes. The original lease was good for five years, with two five-year extensions. It was renewed in 2009 (the first extension) and is up for renewal this year (the second). When the lease went into effect in 2004, the rent was $30,800 per year, or about $2,600 per month. In 2013, the taxable value was $593,100, so rent was $59,310 per year, or $4,950 per month. And Mattison gets a rent credit for improvements to the property, up to $279,346. Staff wants commission guidance for this lease renewal because Mattison wants more than his final extension. He wants a lon- ger-term lease, or the possibility of more renewals, to justify paying for more improve- ments. Any long-term lease would require a supermajority vote of the commission. PLAYING DEFENSE FOR DEFENSE About two weeks ago, by taking no positive action, the City Commission stopped paying for the legal defense of one of its own mem- bers. This is a circumstance being watched closely by many members of city advisory boards who wonder if they, too, could be sac- rificed on the fiscal altar. City Commissioner Susan Chapman main- tains her innocence, saying she fears the lawsuit is an attempt to expand the scope of the state's Government in the Sunshine stat- utes. City Attorney Bob Fournier asked on March 3 that discussion be continued during the March 17 meeting. % Share stories by clicking the icon in the menubar and choosing to share via e-mail, post to Facebook or Twitter, or many other sharing options. QUICK TIP Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online. FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sarasota News Leader March 14, 2014 Page 63