Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/157038
Sarasota News Leader August 23, 2013 Page 43 specified the money not come from the antic- economic uncertainty reserve during the next fiscal year. (See the related story in this issue.) ipated $8 million. "I can second that [motion]," Barbetta said. If the county spent another $26 million in "I think we can finalize where [the money] the 2015 fiscal year, he added, it would have only about $2.5 million left to mitigate any comes from next Tuesday." shortfalls in the FY 2016 budget; otherwise, That vote passed 4-1, with Commissioner it would have to dip into the 75- or 90-day diChristine Robinson in the minority. saster reserve. Robinson earlier had voiced concerns about the county dipping into its economic uncertainty reserve fund to balance the 2014 Fiscal Year budget. Using the latest state economic projections, Botelho pointed to a conservative estimate that the county would have to plug a $44 million budget hole in FY 2016. State estimates show the county's revenue increasing by 4.1 THE PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE percent in FY 2015 and 4.8 percent in FY 2016, In discussing the county's reserves, Botelho he told the board. referred to a chart showing an estimate that The March state revenue projections indicatthe county would spend $26.7 million of the ed only a 2.4 percent uptick for FY 2015 and BMX World Champion Percy Owens addresses the County Commission on Aug. 20. Photo by Rachel Hackney