Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/329100
As it turns out, when the Sarasota County Commission last year acceded to pleas from Suncoast Charities for Children to pay the sanctioning fees so the organization could host its 29th Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix, the board spent $79,200 on more than just those fees. On Wednesday, June 11, the commission- ers learned that part of the money was for operational expenses necessary to hold the race. The 2013 race budget provided to the board showed the sanctioning fee to Super Boat International was $25,000. As Commissioner Nora Patterson put it this week, "[W]hat we were calling sanctioning fees wasn't really sanctioning fees. They are just a fairly small part of it." "Correct," responded L u c y N i c a n d r i , v i c e p r e s i d e n t o f Suncoast Charities. This year, the nonprofit was seeking $94,600 from the county under Entries line up for the 2013 Boat Parade in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel ABOUT THOSE SANCTIONING FEES … THE COUNTY COMMISSION AGREES TO COVER CERTAIN EXPENSES FOR THE 2014 SUNCOAST SUPER BOAT GRAND PRIX BUT EXPRESSES DISMAY OVER BEING MISLED LAST YEAR We felt the [request for more money] would be in line just because of the gradual increase, since 2008, in economic impact [from the festival and the boat race]. Lucy Nicandri Vice President Suncoast Charities for Children