Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 56 REFINING THE LANGUAGE However, Commissioner Nora Patterson told her colleagues, "I have a little bit of a problem with this, only because of a lack of money in general. … It seems to me [the Community Housing Fund is] about the only source we have [for affordable residences] … With the [Marbut] initiative on the homeless, [that fund is] a possible source of [money] to try to do something. It's going to be rough to reach into reserves to do it, and I'm not sure there is commission support or public support to try to raise taxes to try to follow the recommendations that will be given." Then Patterson asked Humphreys for clarification. "Would affordable housing include something like helping with a homeless shelter?" Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson considers staff comments at a meeting. File photo "That's exactly what the amendments are Robinson told Patterson, "My first knee-jerk tendency is to agree with you …" Nonetheless, going to allow," Humphreys told her. Robinson continued, she tried to figure out a In response to another question from better way to reword the ordinance to make Patterson, Humphreys pointed out that the certain money in the escheated lot fund also current language in the escheated lots ordi- could be used to plug a funding hole for a purnance does not make it clear the funds can pose related to the shelter's services, such as be used for a homeless shelter. Therefore, the job training. planning staff worked with the Office of the "There is no other encompassing word like County Attorney, Humphreys said, to make 'economic development,'" Robinson pointed certain the revised ordinance would permit out. such action. "So I'm trying to find a way to keep the door open enough to allow us to use this [fund balSo I'm trying to find a way to keep ance] creatively," Robinson added, which she the door open enough to allow us to use felt community members would support. this [fund balance] creatively. Christine Robinson Commissioner Sarasota County Patterson said she concurred with Robinson's comments, "though I'm not sure we've got capital dollars to get anything started right now."