Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 The Sarasota County Commission votes unanimously on May 8 to indicate a willingness to lower the speed limit on a portion of South Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key to 35 mph but, at the same time, to prohibit low-speed vehicles on that stretch. (A low-speed vehicle is defined as one that can travel between 20 mph and 25 mph, Paula Wiggins, the county's transportation planning manager, explains.) However, on a 4-1 vote amending the motion by Commissioner Nora Patterson, the commission also approves the holding of public meetings about the use of golf carts and low-speed vehicles on the island and to provide education about the state law governing such vehicles. Patterson, who lives on the north end of the island, casts the "No" vote on the amendment offered by Commissioner Christine Robinson. Patterson says she feels people will find it difficult to keep straight which Siesta roads are under state control and which are under county control. Moreover, she fears people will be amenable to golf carts and low-speed vehicles traveling in some areas of the key without considering the fact that many residents drive to and from the island to go to work. When Sarasota City Commission candidate Richard Dorfman files his final campaign treasurer's report on May 8, one donation stands out: a $500 contribution from the local Police Benevolent Association. Voters six years ago approved a change to the city charter that put a $200 cap on campaign donations. Since then, the "amount column" on many treasurers' reports is a string of $200 donations. Therefore, the Southwest Florida Police Benevolent Association apparently broke city Page 48 regulations by donating too much. Normally, a campaign treasurer would flag the large donation and do the paperwork to return it, but Dorfman's treasurer is John Dowd, a Venice accountant who may not be familiar with Sarasota's city-specific election laws. The campaign to make all countywide races nonpartisan becomes official this week, with the launch of Open Our Elections, a new PAC dedicated to promoting the cause and placing the issue on the ballot. Intended to beat back some of "the recent manipulations, abuses and dirty tricks" employed by local political parties, the effort has already found "broad support," according to Open Our Elections chairwoman and former Venice City Councilwoman Sue Long. On a May 14 split vote, the Sarasota County Commission modifies its reserves policy to require the county to maintain a fund equal to 75 days of operating expenses instead of 90. The action frees up $8,131,269 for the coming fiscal year that the commission agrees for the time being not to commit to specific uses. Commissioner Joe Barbetta makes the motion for the change, winning support from Chairwoman Carolyn Mason and Vice Chairman Charles Hines. "We're forgetting the fact that we have to look at things that can produce additional revenue for us. We're too dependent on property tax revenue," Barbetta says, arguing the extra $8 million could be used for unfunded capital projects that would give the county a return on investment.