Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/223368
LOOKING AFTER LOST MONEY The penny-tax oversight committee holds its annual meeting. Among the attendees are Deputy Finance Director Kelly Strickland (lower left) and Jose Garnham (under the city logo). Photo by Stan Zimmerman DURING ITS ANNUAL MEETING, THE CITY'S CITIZEN TAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE GETS AN UPDATE ON THE SHUFFLING OF REVENUE FOR PROJECTS By Stan Zimmerman City Editor In 1998, the citizens of the City and County of Sarasota agreed to levy an extra one-cent sales tax to raise money for infrastructure. In the subsequent years, the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) has brought in millions for city and county projects. Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 4. The 10-member committee almost did not manage a quorum; it had to wait until a fifth person showed up to begin the meeting. Eventually, a sixth member straggled into the City Commission Chambers. To ensure the City Commission properly man- Deputy City Finance Director Kelly Strickland ages the city's LOST led the members income, the original through changes to the Our function is not to evaluate the spending plan adopted ordinance set up a Citizen Tax Oversight merit of the changes. in September, prior to Committee. That the approval of the Robert Casella board meets once a current fiscal year's Chairman Citizen Tax Oversight Committee year; this year that budget. The changes City of Sarasota session was held on originated during an