Sarasota: Sarasota, FL City Commission Budget Workshop - Jul 26, 2022
Summary. The City of Sarasota held its second day of budget workshops on July 26, 2022, focusing on enterprise funds, internal service funds, trust funds, debt service funds, and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The session covered five enterprise funds: water and wastewater utility system, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, solid waste management, parking management, and St. Armands paid parking. Enterprise funds saw a total increase of $5.8 million (6.46% increase). Key discussions centered on financial sustainability concerns across multiple enterprise funds. The solid waste management fund showed declining fund balances requiring potential rate increases, with staff projecting a $1.89 monthly residential rate increase may be needed. The Van Wezel received federal SVOG grants totaling $9 million to sustain operations through COVID impacts. Parking management continues to struggle financially, with fund balances projected to be depleted within two years despite revenue improvements from new mobility services like VEO scooters and Bay Runner trolley.
Agenda Items
1. Water and Wastewater Utility System Budget Review
Review of the utility system budget showing projected revenues of $53.66 million and expenditures of $57.2 million, with discussion of ongoing capital improvement projects totaling approximately $110 million
- Beginning fund balance of $25 million, ending at $21.6 million
- Rate increases of 3.5% annually for 10 years to fund master plan improvements
- Comparison of rates with regional utilities showing Sarasota in middle range
- No wastewater spills for two years due to proactive infrastructure improvements
- Multiple ongoing capital projects for system reliability
2. Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Budget Review
Discussion of Van Wezel budget showing revenues of $13.4 million but expenditures exceeding revenues by nearly $3 million, requiring use of fund balance
- Beginning fund balance of $11.2 million, ending at $8.2 million
- Lost 55% of staff during pandemic, hiring challenges due to competitive market
- Supply chain issues causing 45% increase in brochure costs alone
- Artist fees increased significantly as performers try to recover COVID losses
- Received $9 million in federal SVOG grants to sustain operations
- Programming includes Disney's Aladdin and Mean Girls to attract younger audiences
3. Solid Waste Management Budget Review
Review of solid waste budget showing continued decline in fund balances, with potential rate increases needed in fall 2022
- Budget increase of 3% driven by fuel costs and landfill fee increases
- Sarasota County increasing landfill rates by $2 per ton, costing city $340,000 annually
- Fund balance declining from $3.5M to projected $1.1M, requiring rate increase consideration
- Proposed residential rate increase of $1.89 monthly ($22.68 annually)
- No rate increases since 2018, department using fund balance to avoid increases
- Discussion of composting program to potentially reduce costs
4. Parking Management Budget Review
Discussion of citywide parking fund showing modest improvement but continued financial challenges, with request for additional staff positions
- Beginning fund balance $294,000, ending at $132,000
- Repayment of $352,000 debt to general fund for downtown meter installation
- VEO scooter service and Bay Runner trolley showing over 60,000 ridership combined
- Request for accountant position and garage maintenance technician
- Revenues increased by $500,000 over previous year
- Cash collection at special events raising audit concerns
- Fund balance projected to be depleted within two years if trends continue
Action Items
Provide listing of container costs for solid waste equipment
Assigned to Doug Jeffcoat
Check on fire alarm and sprinkler system cost increase explanation
Assigned to Staff
Return in fall with solid waste rate increase proposal and composting discussion
Assigned to Doug Jeffcoat · Due Fall 2022
Prepare questions format for commission decisions on budget direction
Assigned to Kelly Strickland · Due Special meeting later same day
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
The City of Sarasota held its second day of budget workshops on July 26, 2022, focusing on enterprise funds, internal service funds, trust funds, debt service funds, and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The session covered five enterprise funds: water and wastewater utility system, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, solid waste management, parking management, and St. Armands paid parking. Enterprise funds saw a total increase of $5.8 million (6.46% increase). Key discussions centered on financial sustainability concerns across multiple enterprise funds. The solid waste management fund showed declining fund balances requiring potential rate increases, with staff projecting a $1.89 monthly residential rate increase may be needed. The Van Wezel received federal SVOG grants totaling $9 million to sustain operations through COVID impacts. Parking management continues to struggle financially, with fund balances projected to be depleted within two years despite revenue improvements from new mobility services like VEO scooters and Bay Runner trolley.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 4 agenda items: Water and Wastewater Utility System Budget Review; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Budget Review; Solid Waste Management Budget Review; Parking Management Budget Review.
What action items came out of this meeting?
4 action items were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
10 members were recorded as present: Mayor Hagen, Vice Mayor Battie, Commissioner Arroyo-Acevedo, Commissioner Brody, Kelly Strickland, Bill Reedy, Marlon Brown, Mary Bensel, Doug Jeffcoat, Steve Coover.
Where can I watch the full recording?
The full video recording is available on YouTube or embedded at the top of this page.
What county is Sarasota in?
Sarasota is located in Sarasota County, Florida. Browse other Sarasota County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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