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Sarasota News Leader October 12, 2012 There are growing differences between ap- praisals for tax purposes and commercial appraisals (with tax appraisals higher). The latest issue was sparked by a church's offer to buy city-owned land on 25th Street. The Bethlehem Baptist Church has offered $12,000; the property appraiser says the prop- erty is worth $18,700, and a commercial ap- praisal says it is worth $6,000. The city pur- chased it in 2000 for $10,000. A quick look at other properties indicates similar kinds of differences, so staff is ask- ing the commission for guidance on the 25th Street property and other parcels. A signifi- cant number of parcels across the city could be involved in this research. Page 38 The other issue of note regards a lease with MarineMax on City Island. The company has one five-year extension left to exercise. In- stead of doing that, it would like a 20-year lease, composed of five-year increments so it can amortize improvements to the proper- ty. This request comes one month before city electors will vote on a charter referendum re- quiring a supermajority of four votes for such a long-term contract. The company pays fair market rent to use the city-owned land, and it pays property taxes as well as sales tax on boats, fuel taxes and others levies. Enter To Win A New iPad When our "Likes" on Facebook reach 1,000, we will randomly select one of our subscribers to receive a new iPad. 1 Click here to Subscribe The contest concludes when The Sarasota News Leader achieves 1,000 "Likes" on Facebook, One winner will be selected at random from among subscribers. Only subscribers are eligible to win the iPad, regardless of having "Liked" our page on Facebook. Contest is open only to residents of Sarasota County. Selected winners must provide a valid Sarasota County street address to receive the iPad. Contest is void where prohibited by law. 2 Then Like Us On Facebook