Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/175080
Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 59 development," tied at 10 percent, followed by about the "biggest threat," respondents con"Taxes" at 7 percent and "Government and sistently have perceived "loss of jobs" as the most serious. The summary continues, "The elected officials" at 6 percent." same pattern occurred with regard to governThe five most common responses to the ques- ment waste and inefficiency," with the pertion regarding the biggest threat to the coun- centage citing it as the biggest threat falling slightly from 23 percent in 2011 to 20 percent ty's fiscal health are as follows: this year. • Economy/jobs: 41 percent. Among other year-over-year changes, the over• Government waste and inefficiency: 20 per- all rating for quality of life in neighborhoods cent. dropped slightly, with 54 percent of those surveyed calling it "excellent" compared to 55 • Out-migration of people and industry: 13 percent in 2012. percent. On a personal level, the survey shows that • Property tax rates: 12 percent. among the 58 percent of 2013 respondents who acknowledged they are experiencing (The County Commission has committed their own fiscal stress, the most commonly to keeping the total county millage rate at cited reasons were linked to the following: 3.3912 for the 2014 fiscal year. Indications are that it will remain the third-lowest rate • Employment/jobs: 9 percent. in the state, according to figures County Ad- • Healthcare costs: 9 percent. ministrator Reid has provided.) • Property taxes: 7 percent. • Deterioration of the environment: 5 per• Home insurance: 6 percent. cent. • Personal debt: 6 percent. The executive summary also points out that over the past five years of asking the question • Gas prices: 5 percent. The 2013 Citizens Survey ranks respondents' views of recommendations for improving neighborhoods. Image courtesy Sarasota County