Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/129431
Sarasota News Leader look in the city and county budget proposals, costs are rising. May 10, 2013 One way or another, we need more density. I suggest the Rosemary [District] "You can do a modest or around our big parks. Page 35 down 6 percent. City staff was cut by almost one-quarter. In the same period, salaries declined 6 increase in the millpercent (in line with age rate," said Turner. Terry Turner Commissioner total revenues, but not "But too much and it City of Sarasota staff reductions). And will drive people from the cost of benefits to Lido to Siesta. Lido is a barrier island inside the city limits; Siesta current and retired employees jumped up 31 percent in the period between 2007 and 2013. Key is mostly outside the city limits. As a fraction of the total budget, Turner said THE CULPRIT IS BUILT IN personnel costs went from 74 percent in 2007 to 80 percent of the total city budget in 2013. From 2007 to 2013, the city and county reeled from collapsing property values, which meant How could reducing staff by a quarter mean collapsing property tax receipts. Turner not- an increase to benefits by almost one-third? ed the city's ad valorem receipts dropped 26 And how could a jump from three-quarters percent during that period, with total revenue to four-fifths of the entire budget be devoted (From left) City Commissioners Shannon Snyder, Willie Shaw, Terry Turner and Paul Caragiulo listen to a presentation earlier this year. Photo by Norman Schimmel