Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
Sarasota News Leader September 27, 2013 told The Sarasota News Leader the School Board officially will vote on the March 25 date when it holds its next meeting, on Tuesday, Oct. 1. That session will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the School Board Chambers at The Landings, where the district offices are located. In confirming DeMarsh's comment to Barbetta, Ferguson pointed to the resolution on the School Board's Oct. 1 agenda. It says, "[P] ursuant to Section 1011.73(2), Florida Statutes, the Board of County Commissioners of Sarasota County is hereby directed to call an election for March 25, 2014, for the qualified electors of the Sarasota County School District to vote on a continuation of the ad valorem millage increase for operating expenses of the School District approved in March 2002, Page 27 March 2006, and March 2010 as authorized by Section 1011.71(9), Florida Statutes." Regarding any other authority the County Commission has relative to the referendum, DeMarsh told Barbetta, "I will begin to research [that]" and provide a report. DeMarsh told the News Leader on Sept. 26 that he is working toward having that report ready when the commission meets on Oct. 8. Barbetta also said during the Sept. 24 discussion that he believed the March election would cost the taxpayers about $200,000. Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent told the News Leader through a spokeswoman on Sept. 25 that the actual expense would be between $400,000 and $425,000. School Board members discuss budget matters with Deputy Chief Financial Officer Al Weidner (far left) and Chief Financial Officer Mitsi Corcoran (next to Weidner) in 2012. File photo