Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 vice, Patterson asked how the latter situation would compare "to before 'Mowingate' started, say three, four years ago?" She was referring to complaints and contract changes — with companies bowing out after being unable to keep up with the work — as the county has tried to maintain its right of way and median maintenance. Page 15 "We need to do a lot more of this," Robinson said of the budget cutting. The motion passed unanimously. SPENDING AND SAVING During the morning session of the Sept. 6 budget workshop, Botelho explained the county has seen a 3.5-percent increase in revenue colJim Oppy of the Field Services Office — stand- lections through 11 months of the current fising in for his boss, Spencer Anderson — told cal year, which Barbetta noted translates into the commissioners he believed the reduction about $7 million more for the general fund. would have "minimal visual impact." Therefore, the county might end up using $11 Patterson made the motion, which was sec- million out of its economic uncertainty reonded by Robinson, to accept the staff pro- serves to balance the current budget instead of the $18 million projected, Barbetta added. posals for the reduction of service in mowing and the radar and LED signage cutbacks, for a The final figure will not be known until Detotal of $612,800. However, Patterson said she cember, Botelho replied while confirming Barfelt the county needed the long-arm mower. betta's math. A chart shows some of the County Commission decisions that affect department expenses for the 2014 fiscal year. Image courtesy Sarasota County