Sarasota, FL: The City Commission has set the preliminary millage rate for the 2009-10 fiscal year at 2.7771, which is the same rate as the current fiscal year. The millage rate is staying the same in spite of a projected $8.9 million budget shortfall due to lower revenues.
The preliminary millage rate will be transmitted to the Sarasota County Property Appraiser, who will compile all proposed millage rates for individual properties and issue a TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice later this summer. Taxing authorities, including the City of Sarasota, cannot raise preliminary millage rates once they are established.
The City Commission approved the preliminary millage rate following two days of budget workshops this week. The proposed 2009-10 total budget is $162 million --- down $16 million from last year. The complete proposed budget and the budget workshops can be viewed on the City’s website: www.sarasotagov.com
To balance the budget, the City is utilizing reserves, applying for grants and cutting department budgets by an average 7%. While positions are being eliminated, no employees will be laid off.
Members of the public interested in speaking about the budget are invited to do so during the budget public hearings scheduled for Tues., September 8th and Mon., September 21st at 6pm.
For more information, please contact:
Jan
Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com
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