THE $8 MILLION QUESTION
BMX riders compete during an event at the Sarasota track. Image courtesy Sarasota County
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THIS WEEK DEBATED SAVING FUNDS
FREED UP BY A RESERVE POLICY CHANGE OR USING THEM FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WITH AN AUG. 27 VOTE SET TO CONFIRM
THE DECISION THAT MAKES THE MONEY AVAILABLE
By Rachel Brown Hackney
Editor
Two world champions and a representative
from an Ohio firm that designs and constructs
all the major BMX tracks stood before the
County Commission on Tuesday, Aug. 20, imploring the board to approve about $1 million in funding to make Sarasota County an
international center
for BMX training and
events.
Their request was left
on the table until at
least Aug. 27, when the
commission will be
asked to take a formal policy vote on whether
to keep a 75-day reserve fund for operations
after a disaster or the current 90-day fund.
The 15-day change would free up more than $8
million that could be spent on a variety of economic development projects, Commissioner
Joe Barbetta has maintained, including the
Sarasota is the holy ground for addition of a 5-meter
BMX in the United States.
ramp and the reconfiguration of the track
Todd Harper
at the BMX facility on
Elite Trax Inc.
17th Street.