Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/218481
LAYING OUT PRIORITIES DID board members and city staffers listen to moderator Roger Barry as they formulate their ideas for the near future of their organization. The ideas were written on sheets for later voting. Photo by Stan Zimmerman DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CONSIDER THE AREA'S FUTURE, WITH EXPANSION GETTING THE TOP RANKING AMONG PROPOSALS By Stan Zimmerman City Editor Sarasota's Downtown Improvement District The tax raised $344,501 for the current fiscal (DID) board held a planning workshop year. Tuesday, Nov. 26, to see what members and the public want in the near future. The DID this However, the DID must pay back a $1.6 milyear has about $132,000 in its budget, includ- lion loan over the next 15 years. The money ing a carry-over from was borrowed at previous years. Next favorable rates from You guys really dropped the ball on the city's self-insuryear, the group will have about $82,000 in the State Street garage. A big project right ance fund; it was used in the middle of the district and you didn't for — among other uncommitted funds. do a damn thing. You really need to tasks — the just-comThe district taxes participate in what's happening in the city. pleted $1.4 million commercial property streetscape project Paul Thorpe owners an extra 1 mill along Main Street. Advocate for Downtown Sarasota to fund its operations. Among other financial