After extensive review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget, the City Commission unanimously set the preliminary operating millage rate at 3.2632 mills, the same millage rate as the current fiscal year. The proposed budget focuses on maintaining essential services while responding to and restoring the economic health of the Sarasota community. With decreased City revenues prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the proposed balanced budget considers financial tightening measures including no new personnel and $1.1 million in savings citywide due to vacant positions not being funded for the entire year. The assessed value of property increased citywide by 4.67 percent this year, based on the July 1 estimate by the Sarasota County Property Appraiser. Values in the Newtown Community Redevelopment Area increased 7.89 percent with the taxable value at $187,184,296. The City’s debt service millage rate for the Sarasota Police Department Headquarters will go down by .0105 mills. 

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