Observer SARASOTA
ELECTION City Commission
The first installment of District 1 candidate interviews. PAGES 8A-9A.
DIVERSIONS: SUPER NATURALS
Pitch Perfect
Sarasota Opera’s unsung supernumeraries pipe up.
Little League celebrates opening day.
SPORTS 16A
INSIDE | PAGE 1B
You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.
SLICE OF THE CITY PEOPLE, PICS & PLACES
Thursday, FEBRUARY 24, 2011
future funding
Pensions to outweigh revenue With property values projected to fall 8% next year and pension costs expected to rise 35%, the city faces the possibility that property-tax revenues will not be able to cover retirement costs. By Robin Roy | City Editor
For the first time in Sarasota’s history, City Hall’s pension obligations will cost more than tax revenue will generate, according to city projections.
“This is the biggest issue the commission will face this decade, ” said City Manager Bob Bartolotta. Next fiscal year, the city expects to pay $16.8 million in retirement benefits to general
employees and police officers, as well as contributing to the county’s fire department pensions. At the same time, it is expecting to take in $14.9 million of ad valorem tax revenue in the general fund.
Those projections are based on the assumption that property values will decrease by 8% next year and the millage remains
SEE PENSION / PAGE 10A
Loren Mayo
Carole Holland and Anne Salamone
+ Event celebrates Italian culture
The tables were saturated in confetti, balloons spanned the room and guests couldn’t turn off their excitement — Sarasota Italian Cultural Events Inc., had transformed Michael’s On East into Little Italy for its “Festa Siciliana” luncheon Wednesday, Feb. 9.
SUN AND FUN
T urist Attraction A high satisfaction rate among the county’s visitors shows more than 97% plan to return in future years.
Maria Amodio
B.J. Kleindist and Aida Florsheim
+ Annual dinner honors volunteers
Volunteers from Resurrection House homeless shelter were honored at the non-profit organization’s annual volunteer appreciation dinner Feb. 10, at Church of the Redeemer. More than 180 volunteers were in attendance. “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Resurrection House,” said Executive Director David Proch. “Their giving and caring is unconditional.”
Rachel S. O’Hara
Brenden Bieth, 4, has fun digging in the sand with a big shovel while visiting Siesta Key Beach over Presidents Day weekend.
INDEX
By Robin Roy | City Editor
Black Tie...............................10B Classifieds..............................16A Cops Corner..........................17A Crossword.............................19A Opinion....................................6A Real Estate...........................18A Weather................................19A
Tourism plays a major role Sarasota’s economy. A Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau study examining last year’s tourism figures finds that a majority of visitors were pleased with their trip to Sarasota and will return in the future. More than 97% of tourists sur-
Vol. 7, No. 16 Two sections www.YourObserver.com
veyed said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with Sarasota County as a destination. Virginia Haley, SCVB president, said that satisfaction rate is relatively consistent with other Southwest Florida destinations, but is higher than those in other Florida towns. “If we didn’t have that visitor satisfaction, we wouldn’t have
survived the BP (oil spill) disaster,” she said. The effects of the oil spill mainly influenced European tourists, who heard less detailed news accounts of the spill and assumed that Sarasota was hit badly.
Attributes to describe Sarasota Beautiful beaches........91.5% Safe destination..........90.5% Warm weather............87.4% Clear, blue water............. 87% Good restaurants.........83.8% Sunbathing destination..................83.2% Complete relaxation....... 78% Clean, unspoiled environment................77.4% Nature/environment....75.7% Good shopping............... 75% Family-friendly............72.3% Good value for money....................68.6% Upscale accommodations.........67.6% Reasonably priced accommodations.........61.1% Romantic place...........55.5% Very safe beaches for children..................53.2% Resort atmosphere......52.8% Cultural destination.....47.8% Activities for all ages...45.5% Good water sports.......38.8% Art galleries................... 35% Good golfing...............28.1% Concerts/theater performances..............29.3% Nightlife......................23.9% Good fishing................17.3%
SEE TOURISM / PAGE 2A
INSIDE: See what visitors said about Sarasota’s amenities, their reasons for visiting and more. 2A