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Make sure “Your Voice Counts” as Sarasota County makes budget decisions on programs and services next year.

Funding for programs and services is based on available property tax revenue. Your voice is especially important this year since economic conditions have reduced the value of the property tax base by more than 12 percent. Fewer dollars will be available to support existing services and programs.

The Sarasota County Commission urges you to list your priorities about how to allocate county revenue by taking this online survey.

You can help make these spending decisions by telling us what kind of service you want in seven categories of services. You can choose one of three levels of service for each category.

Here’s how to take the budget survey:

  • Complete the “Your Information” section. Information you provide is subject to the public records laws of Florida.
  • Click on the “?” for each category of service to see the service options for funding.
  • Choose the option that describes the Level of Service” you believe Sarasota should provide.
  • After making each selection, look at the section entitled “Effect of Your Advice.” This section expresses the relative savings/cost of your selection on your property tax bill.

(IMPORTANT: Your selections will not be reflected in your official tax bill, this is only a survey of residents’ preferences.)

  • Complete the questions in the sections for “Law Enforcement/Court and Jails” and “Key Financial Decisions.”
  • Add additional thoughts in the “Comments” section.
  • To start over, click the “Reset” button at the bottom of the form.
  • Click “Submit Scorecard” when you’re finished.

You can take the survey through August, 2009. Results will be compiled and posted on the county’s Web site. Got questions about this tool? Contact communityconnections@scgov.net.

Thank you for completing the Sarasota County’s “Money Matters” budget survey.
 

YOUR INFORMATION
Full name (required)
E-Mail (required)
Address (required)
Zip code (required)
Check all that apply Homesteaded Residential Property Owner
Non-Homesteaded Residential Property Owner
Non-Residential Property Owner
Do not own property in Sarasota County
Total Taxable value of Your Home(s) & Business (required)
  Don’t know your taxable property value? Click here...
How did you find out about this survey? Attended a public meeting
Received an e-mail about it
Found it on SCGov.net
Homeowners’ / Neighborhood Association
Newspaper / radio / television / magazine
Other
SERVICES              (Click the for descriptions) Service Level 1 Service Level 2 Service Level 3
Fire/Emergency Medical Service
Health Services
Libraries
Natural Lands Preservation
Parks & Recreation Activities
Park, Beach, & Public Building Maintenance
Public Buses
EFFECT OF YOUR ADVICE - green is savings, red is cost
Changes to the County Budget: $0
Change in current tax bill: $0
LAW ENFORCEMENT/COURT AND JAILS             (Click the for descriptions)
  % of your total tax bill:
21.86% goes to Law Enforcement and 12.48% goes to Courts and Jails


Based on your knowledge of the services provided, please mark your preference:
Law Enforcement: Maintain existing service/funding
Reduce service/funding
Eliminate service/funding
Increase service/funding
Courts & Jails: Maintain existing service/funding
Reduce service/funding
Eliminate service/funding
Increase service/funding
KEY FINANCIAL DECISIONS
In order to maintain existing service levels, which of the following actions would you support? Increase property taxes
Increase user fees
In order to expand existing service levels, which of the following actions would you support? Increase property taxes
Increase user fees
In order to save additional money on your tax bill, are you willing to reduce services beyond levels described above? Yes No
WRITTEN INPUT
Comments:
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