DROWNING IN A SEA OF INDIFFERENCE

“Sarasota government is failing us, and the environment,” observed a resident on the Facebook group Citizens for Sarasota County about the downstream impacts of developer-driven Potemkin planning.

Although testing on September 11 showed that for the first time since Debby, it was safe to swim in Sarasota Bay, due to ongoing water quality issues as a result of sewage spills and runoff, Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA) delegate Eileen Normile proposed two resolutions for steps the city could take to protect health and safety:

Designate a point person in the city to receive any reports from the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Dept. of Health or other experts that relate to public safety testing results in Sarasota Bay and to immediately inform the public of any concerns.

Review the city’s infrastructure concurrency calculations to make sure they can handle the increased strain from density increases and new development.

These motions will be voted on by CCNA’s full membership before being presented to the City Commission.

In seeking to address heat islands, loss of canopy, lack of walkability, and other known “user experience” problems of our current urban landscape, the city’s updated Engineering Design Manual focuses on resilience for sea level rise. But growth inland has ripple effects. Are we planning adequately to manage the flooding and sewage challenges the city - due to its geography - faces from overdevelopment throughout the region?

GAUGING PERFORMANCE

The city commission unanimously voted to adopt the 2024-2025 budget, keeping the millage rate flat at 3.0000 mils. Budgets give tallies, but they don’t answer efficiency or effectiveness questions (e.g. are tax dollars being spent wisely)? They can’t tell us if we are meeting our targets for green space within walking distance. Or attracting a healthy mix of businesses. Or how much housing we need at various price points. Those questions take ongoing monitoring and analysis, explained CityPAC advisor John Mercer in a recent column in the Herald Tribune advocating for outcome-based budgeting.

SAMPLE BALLOTS ARE OUT

Down ballot races impact you the most. Whether you vote by mail, vote early, or vote on election day (Tuesday, November 5) make sure NOT to skip the final race on your 2024 ballot - the Sarasota city commission.

CityPAC-endorsed candidates Sequoia Felton, Ron Kashden, and Kathy Kelley Ohlrich are each the final name on their district ballots.

The election is November 5. October 7 is the deadline to register, and vote by mail ballots go out soon.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Authorship is about credibility. Are statements backed up by data? Can you believe the source? CityPAC Sarasota’s name aims for full transparency about who we are and what we focus on (livability of the city).

But other organizations have names that seem designed to confuse. For example, there is a city firefighters organization which has bundled donations for, and endorsed, the incumbents. But the city of Sarasota hasn’t had its own firefighters since the mid-90s. There are also several political committees with the word “realtor” in their name which seem tied to the vacation rental industry. They too are promoting the incumbents.

Last, but not least, there are ads supporting incumbent District 1 commissioner, Kyle Battie, that are funded by a misleadingly-named organization that sounds like - BUT ISN'T - the countywide Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance. The similar-sounding Tampa registered political committee is not part of the Sarasota Arts and Cultural Alliance. Donors to the sound-alike entity include mega developers Pat Neal and Benderson. Be aware, these developer-funded ads are on top of the 99% of Mr. Battie’s campaign treasure chest that comes directly from developers and other special interests.

COMING UP - CITY COMMISSION CANDIDATE FORUMS:

• Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations - Sept. 21 - 9 a.m. Bayfront Community Center. (All candidates have been invited to the CCNA forum, and the public is welcome to attend).

  
  

• Arlington Park - Sept. 24 - 5:30 p.m. Arlington Park Aquatic Complex. (Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Arroyo declined, but his challenger Kathy Kelley Ohlrich as well as the District 2 candidates are expected).

  
  

• Gillespie Park - Sept. 26 - 5:30 p.m. - Visions of Dance. (District 1 candidate Sequoia Felton and incumbent Kyle Battie).

Since it seems voters may not get a chance to hear directly from Commissioner Arroyo this election season, residents of his district may want to watch the candidate interviews conducted by the Chamber of Commerce.

Based on campaign filings with the city clerk through September 6, 2024