Sarasota’s budget continues to expand. Will the county be able to manage it?

Key Information

• Budget Workshops: Four sessions held, with the final two this week.
• Proposed Budget for FY 2026: Expected to exceed $2.5 billion, marking the largest in Sarasota County’s history.
• Fiscal Challenges: Projected deficits by 2028 at $31.6 million, rising to over $39 million by 2030.
• Primary Revenue Source: Dependent on property taxes, which may not continue to grow as anticipated due to recent declines in home values.
• Sheriff’s Office Budget: Proposed $225 million budget, a 30% increase since 2022.
• Future Outlook: Call for prioritizing spending and addressing potential financial shortfalls proactively.

Sarasota County leaders have made their cases for the upcoming fiscal year during a series of budget workshops. Nearly every department and constitutional office is advocating for increased funding, and commissioners appear inclined to comply with these requests.

If all proposals advance, Sarasota’s spending for fiscal year 2026 will surpass $2.5 billion—signifying the largest budget in its history.

However, beneath the optimistic presentations lies a grim financial reality for Sarasota. Projections indicate that by 2028, expenses will exceed revenues by $31.6 million, with the deficit swelling to nearly $41 million the following year and remaining above $39 million through 2030.

These figures assume that the county maintains its current millage rate and that property tax revenue, its major income source, continues to increase. The budget anticipates annual property value growth from 4.3% this year to 6.2% by FY 2030.

However, recent downturns in home values across Southwest Florida cast doubt on whether future revenue will align with these optimistic projections. If this trend persists, an already challenging budget could become increasingly difficult to manage.

“We’re heading in the wrong direction,” stated Commissioner Mark Smith following this week’s workshop.

Much of the budgetary pressure is attributed to the Sheriff’s Office, whose proposed budget of $225 million has seen an increase of over 30% since 2022, largely due to rising salaries and staffing needs.

Yet the Sheriff’s Office is not the sole department seeking additional funds. Offices across the county, including Public Works and Planning and Development Services, are also requesting budget increases. For instance, Tax Collector Mike Moran is seeking a 27% budget increase, amounting to $3.1 million, with his final proposal due in August.

County Administrator Jonathan Lewis recognizes the financial strains, stating in the proposed budget that not all priorities may receive funding this year. He characterized the plan as a calculated investment, one that aims to avoid tax hikes while targeting critical areas of concern.

Christine Robinson, a former county commissioner and current executive director of the Argus Foundation, stressed the need for careful examination of the projected shortfalls and a proactive response. “Every dollar spent now will contribute to future financial implications,” she said, having closely monitored this year’s budget workshops.

Robinson noted similar financial precarity after joining the commission in 2010, during the Great Recession, which necessitated deep budget cuts. While current challenges are less severe, she believes prioritizing expenditure is essential. “Top priorities should be the focus,” she urged, “and cuts should be made from the bottom.”

In discussions surrounding budget increases, the Sheriff’s Office holds significant weight. The rising personnel costs, coupled with ongoing investments in facilities and equipment, play a crucial role in determining the county’s fiscal future.

Sheriff Kurt Hoffman, who assumed office in January 2021, presented a budget that has grown from $153 million in FY 2022 to a proposed $225 million—a staggering increase of $72.4 million, or 47%, over four years, averaging over 10% annual growth.

The uptick in costs aligns with increased staffing expenses. Sarasota County now leads the state in starting pay for deputies, significantly inflating hiring costs. In 2016, the average cost to hire a deputy was approximately $133,000; today, it’s nearly $250,000.

Sheriff Hoffman defended the budget increases, citing a notable decline in violent crime rates and the necessity for modernized facilities and technology. Violent crime has decreased by over 10% from 2021 to 2024 and nearly 63% since 2009, he noted, while also pointing out ongoing understaffing compared to neighboring counties.

Hoffman’s predecessor, Tom Knight, who now serves on the County Commission, refrained from criticizing the budget increase, instead suggesting collaborative efforts to potentially lessen future budget needs.

However, Commissioner Smith expressed concern over the sheriff’s requested budget hike of 12%, which far exceeds the general fund’s anticipated revenue growth of 4%. “I’m not questioning the need,” Smith stated, “but is there going to be a leveling off?”

In response, Hoffman indicated that many of the increases would likely recur in future budgets.

This story was originally published by Suncoast Searchlight, a nonprofit newsroom focused on investigative journalism in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Learn more at suncoastsearchlight.org.