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SRQ DAILY Aug 4, 2016

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"I realize my opponent is not as involved in budget projections and needs as a commissioner would be, but user fees would not be enough to make a difference."

- Vanessa Baugh, Manatee County Commission candidate
 

[Politics]  Baugh, Grant Bring Different Budget Perspectives
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A decision by Manatee County Commissioners to dip further into reserves to fund more law enforcement positions could loom as a major issue in a primary this month. Kathleen Grant, the Republican challenger to incumbent County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh, criticized the decision as fiscally irresponsible. “The county commission congratulated themselves and patted themselves on the the back for not having a millage increase for the last 10 years, but they increased deficit spending,” Grant says.

Baugh, who this year chairs the county commission, says focusing on the use of reserves was deceiving, and noted the county had an increase of $15 million in revenues. The board did budget $4 million from reserves in a budget passed Tuesday, and Baugh says long-term the county must stop doing that, but she says public safety needs had to be addressed.

Baugh did suggest Manatee follow the example of surrounding counties, including Sarasota County, by working to ensure a smaller percentage of revenues available come from property taxes. She notes a half-penny sales tax under consideration in Manatee that would draw more revenues from visiting snowbirds and tourists. “A sales tax wouldn’t just hit property owners,” Baugh says.

Grant has a problem with that approach in part because that tax would only go toward infrastructure. She would prefer the use of more user fees, like a stormwater fee, that would raise revenue from developers and those putting added stress on public resources. “We are one of the few jurisdictions that doesn’t have user fees,” she says. “We should look at that. Those are possible revenue sources.” Baugh, though, says such fees would again disproportionately impact property owners without raising enough funding to cover the needs in the budget. “We wouldn’t collect anywhere near the funds it would take to care for our road infrastructure, parks—things that deal with quality of life,” she says. “I realize my opponent is not as involved in budget projections and needs as a commissioner would be, but user fees would not be enough to make a difference.”

The candidates have also butted heads over issues of growth, with Grant critiquing votes by Baugh to increase zoning densities on projects in Lakewood Ranch and elsewhere. Baugh notes other jurisdictions have paid in legal settlements for wrongfully turning down similar zoning changes, and says the county needs to manage growth by improving road infrastructure.

Baugh and Grant are running in the Republican primary for Manatee County Commission District 5. The primary election is scheduled for August 30. 

Picture: Kathleen Grant (left); Vanessa Baugh (right).

[Daily Shop]  Boomerang Barware
Aviel Kanter, aviel.kanter@srqme.com

Cheers, cin cin, sláinte, salut—however you raise a glass, the clink sounds best when made by these mid-century coupes. Delightfully named the Atomic Amoeba, the patterned snifter harkens back to the 1950s, made by the Federal Glass Company out of Columbus, OH. The retro rocks glasses aren't just for juices or your everyday soda pop: the spaced-out boomerang etchings are made from 22k gold, making the classy cups only acceptable for cocktails and drams of the highest caliber. Canned Ham Vintage Owner Ashley Rogers has amassed an impressive collection of the fine flagons, with varied color (turquoise, pink, black) sets of champagne coupes, shooters, highballs, pinches, flutes, copitas, pilsners and decanters (galore!).  

Canned Ham Vintage, 1435 7th St, Sarasota, 941-313-1280.

[Recognition]  Second Year Sarasota County Receives Award

The National Procurement Institute (NPI) has honored Sarasota County’s Procurement department with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement for the second consecutive year. The award honors organizational excellence in public and nonprofit procurement, provides benchmarks for continued excellence and increases awareness of public procurement as a profession.  

Sarasota County

[Exec Moves]  Executive Sales And Marketing Moves to Sotheby's

Premier Sotheby’s International Realty assumed the executive sales and marketing of the remaining 12 townhomes in Sarasota’s Q development at 1750 Ringling Blvd. Representing approximately $9 million in new inventory, 11 of the homes will be listed, two of which are ready for immediate possession and nine will be move-in ready by the end of the year.  

Premier Sotheby's Realty

[Hires]  Dr. Kirchman As New Dean of USFSM

Dr. Paul Kirchman has been appointed as dean of USF Sarasota-Manatee’s new College of Science & Mathematics. With more than 20 years of experience, Kirchman has helped build the honors college to more than 400 students and launched several internship programs at hospitals and research centers along the east coast.  

USF Sarasota-Manatee



[Inside the Issue]  Home on the Range

In one of our two features focusing on land, Ranch Life takes you on an in-depth ride-along to some of the area's working ranches. See some of Florida's "fanciest cattle" as you truck through the pastures of Hi Hat Ranch in Chuck Turner's pickup. Pluck fresh citrus off a tree with Cliff Coddington, general manager of the Longino Ranch. Spot Jason McKendree herding cattle across University Parkway on the Schroeder-Manatee Ranch lands. Why have they all chosen the ranch life? Read more to find out.  

Read more

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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