Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 41 Still, she noted that The New York Times had While the number of permit applications for recommended the Chalk Festival to readers new single-family homes was down 36.8 peras a must-see event. "That's bound to help." cent year-over-year in September, the value of the construction was up 3.4 percent, accordAdditionally, Haley said, research shows tourists like to find "a vibrancy [in the community] ing to figures released by the county's Office and … lots going on. That's absolutely what of Financial Planning. visitors are looking for." The total value of the development plans was Barbetta says the county's next goal will be to more than $11 million for September 2013. hit the $3.5 million per-penny mark with the In August, the total number of permit appliTDT revenue. Referring to the extra money, cations for single-family homes was up 63.3 he added, "That's how we get to keep doing percent year-over-year, and the constructhings in the community." tion value saw a 94.1-percent increase to OTHER ECONOMIC FACTORS $15,576,000. Although county commissioners have pointed to the TDT revenue growth numerous times over the past months, other fiscal year-end economic statistics underscore a rebound from the recession. The total number of homes and condominiums sold in the county in September was 817, up 22.5 percent from the September 2012 figure of 667. Further, the median price was 14.4 percent higher — $178,943, compared to Siesta Key took in more Tourist Development Tax revenue for the county in the 2013 fiscal year than any other location. Image courtesy Sarasota County Tax Collector's Office