I truly appreciate your reporting on this and Mr. Connor's strong response regarding protecting the funds to go to our schools and our students' educational needs. Moran's interpretation of this "commission" seems extremely antagonistic toward our school district and not in the interest of what voters agreed to. Sarasota citizens need to stay informed and advocate for these funds to remain with the Sarasota County School District.
Having been the Sarasota County Administrator for 14 years, this issue caught my attention. My belief is that Mr. Moran is attempting to follow the letter of the law and had no leeway to waive the fee. Despite Mr. Connor’s protestations, other tax collectors in the state collect this fee on both the annual and voter approved tax receipts. Manatee is a neighbor that does the same. If there is ambiguity in the law, as Mr. Connor suggests, then that is what the courts are for. Although not an arm of County government (County has no budget authority over the Tax Collector, an office that is the responsibility of the Florida Dept of Revenue) by state law Tax Collector excess revenues accrue to the benefit of the County government. Many Tax Collectors produce budgets that have them spending every dime, with no excess. That has not been the history here in Sarasota, with anywhere from $8+ million accruing to the County budget. The County has thus in effect been subsidizing the School Board budget. It is a matter of transparency and designated statutory responsibilities. For example it could be argued that the county tax rate is .2 mils higher than it might otherwise be. That said, no one appears to be trying to get one up on the other side. A quick resolution could be had through the courts. That is what they are for.
I truly appreciate your reporting on this and Mr. Connor's strong response regarding protecting the funds to go to our schools and our students' educational needs. Moran's interpretation of this "commission" seems extremely antagonistic toward our school district and not in the interest of what voters agreed to. Sarasota citizens need to stay informed and advocate for these funds to remain with the Sarasota County School District.
Thank you Mt. Connor. ....you, Mr. Moran.
Having been the Sarasota County Administrator for 14 years, this issue caught my attention. My belief is that Mr. Moran is attempting to follow the letter of the law and had no leeway to waive the fee. Despite Mr. Connor’s protestations, other tax collectors in the state collect this fee on both the annual and voter approved tax receipts. Manatee is a neighbor that does the same. If there is ambiguity in the law, as Mr. Connor suggests, then that is what the courts are for. Although not an arm of County government (County has no budget authority over the Tax Collector, an office that is the responsibility of the Florida Dept of Revenue) by state law Tax Collector excess revenues accrue to the benefit of the County government. Many Tax Collectors produce budgets that have them spending every dime, with no excess. That has not been the history here in Sarasota, with anywhere from $8+ million accruing to the County budget. The County has thus in effect been subsidizing the School Board budget. It is a matter of transparency and designated statutory responsibilities. For example it could be argued that the county tax rate is .2 mils higher than it might otherwise be. That said, no one appears to be trying to get one up on the other side. A quick resolution could be had through the courts. That is what they are for.