Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 14 to monitor fiscal neutrality, not an extended would have generated feedback "independent history of smart growth, he points out. of a particular ideology." "We have no desire to have anything to do with the urban service boundary," he says. "It's carved in stone. For that to be even mentioned is not relevant." He wants to know how the commission's instructions eventually resulted in the Laffer report. Staff is reviewing the report and planning to deliver a response to Laffer by next Friday. When asked his preliminary opinion of the report, all Long-Range Planning Manager Parsons will say is, "It's an independent analysis of fiscal neutrality. We're looking to see where some of the conclusions might be able The final contract between the county and to help us with eventual recommendations to Laffer does include a section calling for Laffer the board." to "review the history of New Urbanism/ Smart Growth development" and to "place The Laffer team will be in Sarasota to present the Florida state regulations, as well as the the final draft of its report Dec. 11. Sarasota 2050 Policy, into proper context." A draft version of the contract given to The WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Sarasota News Leader by Reid a month Brain says that as outrageous as the report before the deal was finalized contained no is, he hopes it doesn't become just another such provision. weapon in the battle between the commisBarbetta wants to know how Reid, the county attorney and staff eventually agreed to the scope of work: "I want to discuss where this thing went off-track." sion and its critics. Even commissioners are "livid," he says, and it would be unfortunate if the report eliminates the possibility of consensus over how to revisit 2050. Commissioner Nora Patterson agrees the report goes "way beyond" what the commission wanted. "My reaction to it is not positive. It would require an entire philosophical change in the county," she says. "The writer obviously believes in a completely free market, which would be OK if people weren't affected by the planning for future development." Laffer Associates did not respond to News Leader questions about the research that went into its report. Writing to Parsons — and misspelling his first name as "Alan" — on Nov. 8, Arduin assured him that Laffer "will give you the best guidance to achieve economic growth that will pay for infrastructure and government services." Patterson supported Reid's original proposal "This has been a very interesting project," to hire an academic team. She says that path she wrote. % The Sarasota News Leader No-Nonsense Reporting