Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 71 be required to persuade five county commissioners to keep the Downtown Sarasota CRA alive for another 30 years? The number of years could be a point of discussion, too, as it is important for bonding purposes. A 10-year extension of the CRA would be too short a period to support general obligation bonds. EQUITY IN NUMBERS In 2006, the City of Sarasota, by resolution, found the need to expand the CRA to include a northern section of the community called Newtown. The following year, the Sarasota County Commission allowed the CRA to carry out its activities in that new area, but it did not agree to participate in the property tax revenue split for that purpose. The city could contribute, but the county would not. "I was told the reason the County Commission didn't want to put their money in this new district [was] they didn't want to feel obligated to do [a CRA] in North Port and Venice. If we commit to leaving our increment in Newtown, we're on the hook for Venice and North Port," said study committee member Bill Russell. Andy Dorr is chairman of the CRA Extension Study Committee. Photo by Norman Schimmel Chairman Andy Dorr went even further. "It is important the county send a message it fully supports the city's CRA and not pick and choose. The county's gone on record it won't contribute there, and they need to correct their error. They need to be part of the solution and make a further contribution," he While the study committee was sensitive to said. allowing both governments to "skim" from the CRA for their general funds, some members Newtown's part of the CRA is practically this week were adamant about the county microscopic. While downtown's "base year" is 1986, Newtown's "base year" is 2007; the playing fair and contributing to Newtown. following year, property values began to col"They should support the CRA across the lapse. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown board and not pick and chose who to give to reminded the study committee the Newtown and who not to give to," said member Chris CRA now generates about $20,000 per year. Gallagher. "If we start wrestling with the split "That's how dire it is for Newtown," he said. back to the city and county, it is hard to do that without a county contribution to the Right now money is being siphoned off the Newtown CRA. We either have to say, 'Leave downtown CRA account to fund projects (and it the way it is,' or adjust the percentages." staff salaries) in Newtown. Even Newtown's