Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/112475
Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 sions. This year the city is contributing $12.4 million to those funds. For FY14 the number will jump 46 percent to $18.2 million. ���You have to look at pensions and healthcare for other savings,��� said Lyons. Snyder pointed out that consolidation of the Police Department with the Sarasota County Sheriff���s Office would probably make up the difference. ���Do we have the stomach to contract with the sheriff? Duplication in administration could probably pay for the pension shortfall,��� he said. ���If we don���t do it, we���re on to a tax increase, and I fear where that���s going.��� Page 56 It���s reasonable to make that available to the constituents.��� The Florida Legislature has been starving local government funding sources for more than a decade. The current legislative session already has a bill under consideration that would ban red-light cameras. Fines from drivers running those lights are expected to total $1.8 million in FY14 funds for the city. If the red-light cameras were eliminated, the city would need to find a source to cover that shortfall. The situation is the same with possible state cuts in the communications service tax, the local business tax and taxes on fire and police pensions. The Sarasota Police Department, without pensions, consumes 52 percent of the city���s gen- ���You don���t have any friends in the Legislature,��� eral fund. said Lyons. ���My concern is the integrity of the SPD,��� said The takeaway for the Finance Department Atwell. ���At this time it may be kind of radical. from the workshop? Burn through the reWhat we could do is prepare to look at it.��� serves, let at least 12 people go and look for ���I���m skeptical,��� said Caragiulo. ���You should ways to cut $1.3 million more ��� and no tax be honest in your choices and put it out there. increase. % ���A true pacifist is one who is capable of dealing immeasurable damage but chooses not to when confronted with provocation.��� ��� Morihei Ueshiba I am so incredibly pleased, with my beautiful smile and my comfortable and natural bite. - Barbara Lee For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 | Christine Koval, D.M.D. | www.askdrkoval.com