for whittling away a projected 2016 deficit,
which was estimated as high as $25 million
in October 2013, and putting the county on a
"sustainable path." The anticipated 2016 defi-
cit has been deleted, partly through trimmed
spending and shifts of excess revenue from
other accounts.
"Everyone knows I am the nervous Nellie on
the budget, and I just want to tell you and all
the staff, thank you," Robinson said.
The preliminary budget includes merit pay
increases for some non-union staff, a proposal
that proved more controversial last year.
"We've scrutinized the budget as much as we
could," Harmer told the commissioners. "We
feel we are presenting a good plan for fiscal
year 2015."
The County Commission will continue to dis-
cuss the spending plan before it approves the
final document in September. The board has
upcoming workshops on June 27, June 30,
July 1 and Aug. 20.
The $1.09 billion preliminary Fiscal Year 2015
budget presented this week keeps the millage
Estimated taxable values in Sarasota County have increased for the second straight year. Property
values are going up as home sales are steadily rising and retirees are once again moving to the region.
Photo by Roger Drouin
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Sarasota News Leader June 27, 2014 Page 22
