Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
Sarasota News Leader January 3, 2014 — ranging from a site to the number of beds to who will operate the facility — can be worked out later, but he urges his fellow commissioners to take action before the city and county finalize their budgets for the upcoming year. The other commissioners, however, are not interested in pursuing plans in a hurry, and Commissioner Willie Shaw says he does not want to move forward with a city shelter at any speed. On Aug. 20, the County Commission votes unanimously to set aside $500,000 in a fund to be used to deal with the issue of homelessness in the area. The actual expenditure of the money will be linked to a proposal developed Page 82 by Robert Marbut, an expert on homelessness, who is working as a consultant for the City and County of Sarasota. On a 4-1 vote Aug. 20, the Sarasota County Commission agrees to provide up to 3 percent in merit pay raises for non-union county employees who receive the top two scores on evaluations to be conducted in the new fiscal year. Those employees who earn a 3 out of 5 — with 5 reflecting superior work — would get a boost up to 2 percent, while those rated 1 or 2 would receive nothing, according to the motion put forth by Commissioner Joe Barbetta. "The concern I have is a lot of 4s and 5s … are watching the 1s or 2s mail it in, Youngsters compete in a BMX Strider event in Sarasota County. Image courtesy Sarasota County