Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/185868
Sarasota News Leader October 4, 2013 Page 11 "Would this yield significant savings — we are talking 20 percent or more — then the commissioners might be interested" in moving forward with discussions, Carter pointed out. "It may not come to fruition." The first big step is the cost analysis. The two boards of commissioners will likely decide at the Oct. 15 meeting whether they want to pursue it. "I am persistent on seeing that," Carter said, before moving forward. PUBLIC INPUT Residents may fill out an online survey about the potential merger at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCATSurvey2013. The customer survey, which went online Sept. 24, will remain open until Oct. 15, said Jamie Carson, media relations specialist with Sarasota County. The period could possibly be extended, depending on the number of responses the county receives in the initial timeframe. The survey is also available in paper form on SCAT buses, and community members can take it over the phone by calling the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000. The results of the survey will be available once the information has been presented to the Sarasota County Commission. Commissioner Christine Robinson awaits the start of the July 10 board meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel to a stronger transportation link between the two counties. "There are thousands who live in Sarasota and work in Manatee, or live in Manatee and work in Sarasota," Patterson pointed out. But privatization remains "an open question" for Patterson. She has heard mixed results about transit agencies that have switched to private vendor operation, she said. "Some work well and Residents also are welcome to attend the Oct. some don't." 15 joint meeting of the Sarasota and Manatee county commissions at the Bradenton Area Carter, the SCAT director, concurred with that sentiment. Convention Center in Palmetto. If the counties decide to privatize the service, THE POSSIBILITY OF PRIVATIZATION the operator chosen would make all the differFor Commissioner Nora Patterson, it would ence. If the counties select a good company, seem a merger of the bus systems would lead things can go smoothly, Carter noted, while