Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/127088
Sarasota News Leader May 3, 2013 Page 12 Barbetta responded that it was just as important to maintain and improve the county's athletic fields, because they are related to residents' quality of life as well. Both Robinson and Patterson voiced concern about leaving future commissions in difficult positions if the current board does not take care of some of the needs staff indicated. "We can do both [roads and athletic fields]," Barbetta said. "We need to suck it up and figure out how to do it. … We have surplus property that we need to sell that we don't use which will generate millions of dollars and put dents in these [capital improvement] programs." "It's going to be after Commissioner [Charles] Hines' tenure is up that it's really going to hit really hard, and we're going to start feeling the effects," Robinson said. Hines was elected to his first term in November 2012. By law, he is able to serve two terms. Reid also pointed out that the commission can Barbetta and Patterson will leave the board forgo some projects it has discussed, such as in 2014 because of term limits, while Mason a bus rapid transit system, to free up funds for and Robinson will have to give up their seats in 2016 for the same reason. projects it feels are more important. A chart shows unfunded athletic field needs for the next five fiscal years. Image courtesy Sarasota County