Sarasota County budget receives initial vote approval but misses unanimous support.

Key Information

• Budget Amount: $2.5 billion for fiscal year 2024
• Millage Rate: Decreased by 0.5% to 3.2273 mills
• Property Tax Revenue Increase: $15.7 million due to a 5.6% rise in property assessments
• General Fund Transfer: $23 million to balance the budget
• Final Vote Date: Scheduled for September 24
• Projected Fiscal Year 2028 Deficit: $25.22 million
• Spending Increase Goal: 1.6% across the board in fiscal year 2027

Sarasota County is nearing the adoption of its unprecedented $2.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2024, pending one last public hearing and vote. The budget reflects a minor decrease in the countywide millage rate of 0.5%, landing at 3.2273 mills; however, property tax assessments have increased by 5.6% compared to the last fiscal year, contributing an additional $15.7 million in revenue.

Despite these revenue increases, a substantial $23 million is being transferred from the general fund balance to maintain budget equilibrium. In light of this, freshman County Commissioner Tom Knight expressed his disapproval of the resolution, casting the sole dissenting vote during the initial public hearing on September 10.

To finalize the budget, a second public hearing and vote by the commissioners will take place on September 24.

In a workshop meeting on August 19, Knight and other officials raised concerns that future budgets will necessitate tightening expenditures. A resolution was passed, urging County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and staff to engage constitutional and elected officials—including the Sheriff’s Office, Medical Examiner’s Office, and others—earlier in the budgeting process.

These offices account for a significant portion of the budget—exceeding $2 billion—and their budgets require state approval. The commissioners aim to initiate discussions with these bodies as early as February, hoping to manage escalating costs before their budgets are sent to state agencies.

During the August 19 discussion, staff projections indicated that the county might face a $25.22 million deficit by fiscal year 2028, stemming from current spending trends and a slowdown in assessed property value increases. Furthermore, budgetary control over elected constitutional officers remains limited.

To counteract these financial challenges, the county has set a spending increase target of 1.6% for fiscal year 2027.

Nonetheless, Commissioner Knight believes immediate cuts are essential. “I just want to let the board know that I will not be approving or partaking in the approval of this,” he stated, emphasizing the considerable escalation in the Sheriff’s Office budget and the missed opportunity to curb capital programs that could potentially add $4 million next year.

He further pointed out that “over $20 million of our fund balance” is being utilized merely to balance the budget.

“We wouldn’t run our checkbook at home like that.”