Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/251767
Theisen — both Republicans and city resi- dents. That is the race to replace Barbetta. Meanwhile, city elections are coming up in the spring of 2015. Caragiulo's seat will be open whether he wins or loses at the county level because of the "resign to run" rule. Vice Mayor Willie Shaw is likely to run for re-elec- tion; Mayor Shannon Snyder has made no indication either way. The CRA benefits the city in many ways — subsidizing the Police Department with $1 million per year to keep downtown safe, for example. So it is difficult to see a city com- missioner or candidate spurning the county contribution (now $4 million per year). However, since the signatures on the interlo- cal agreement could be substantially different from those of today's city and county com- missioners, the sales job for continuing the CRA another 30 years will depend, in part, on who is being sold. LINKAGE, ANYONE? The temptation to "log-roll" the CRA exten- sion will be almost irresistible. While common in Congress and the Florida Legislature, the practice of swapping votes ("I'll vote for your bill if you'll vote for mine") is rarer at the local level because such deals are often made out of the public eye. While the Legislature and Congress have private cloakrooms, city and county commissions do not, and the latter must comply with open government regula- tions. Florida's Government in the Sunshine laws, however, do not ban members of dif- ferent boards from talking to each other, so a city commissioner and a county commis- sioner can cut a deal, as long as they do not extend their deal to other members of their respective boards. When there is a will, a way will be found. The City Commission has been the governing body of the CRA. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader January 31, 2014 Page 57