2 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPOR T
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
Provide Excellent Service
Encourage Economic Growth
Promote Quality of Life
Maintain and Enhance Existing Infrastructure
$ Ensure Fiscal Sustainability
Plan for Positive Development and Redevelopment
Be Environmental Stewards
Cultivate an Innovative Organization
Strategic planning for the future. Sarasota County’s strategic planning model is comprised of three main components. Our PRINCIPLES are the lens we look through when creating strategy for the future. They provide leadership and accountability to carry out our goals and objectives and achieve results. Our PEOPLE are at the heart of what makes the model work. Sarasota County is dedicated to creating a culture that is built on being responsive, offering solutions, actively communicating and thinking as a team. The PLANNING CYCLE reinforces our strategic approach throughout the year. Leveraging the budget cycle reinforces strategic planning activities at the enterprise level. To complement these organizational efforts, county departments support strategic planning efforts monthly and quarterly through data tracking and reporting to highlight accomplishments.
Being simple is at the core of our strategic thinking. We are focused on being succinct and clear in our approaches while encouraging incremental innovation that can stand the test of time. Our planning efforts are designed to be practical while providing meaning to the organization, the Sarasota County Commission and the community. In 2014, Sarasota County used this strategic planning process to develop the following eight goals. These goals have enabled the county to set priorities and demonstrate progress.
• Encourage
Economic Growth Develop long-term strategies that grow the economic viability of Sarasota County.
• Ensure Fiscal Sustainability Proactively address financial challenges to ensure a healthy business model.
• Provide Excellent Service
Focus on providing quality, accurate and timely service.
• Plan for Positive
Development and Redevelopment Create an environment that supports ideal growth.
• Promote Quality of Life
Ensure a premier standard of quality of life for all Sarasota County residents and visitors.
• Be Environmental Stewards Establish a sustainable environmental standard for Sarasota County.
• Maintain and Enhance
Existing Infrastructure Invest in infrastructure that is the foundation for the future and supports all strategic goals.
• Cultivate an Innovative Organization
Progressively plan for the future by promoting a culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
The Sarasota County 2016 Annual Report A l etter fro m t h e Co u n t y Admi n i s tra to r In fiscal year 2016 (FY16), we added a new component to the annual budget process related to economic forecasting, so we can balance our one- to two-year operational planning with a public discussion on economic trends. The county’s overall expenses decreased by 0.6 percent, and we are projecting a 4.3 percent increase in major revenues. We continue to be proactive in managing our reserve funds.
I’m happy to present the 2016 Sarasota County Annual Report, which highlights our most important projects, programs and initiatives. This year’s report focuses on how your local government works for you. It begins with an overview of the Sarasota County budget and how your tax dollars are spent. We follow that with examples of how we met each of the county’s eight strategic goals over the past year, and we include a special section about some of the more unusual ways we serve our citizens.
In FY16, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings both affirmed the county's "AAA" issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, and Fitch affirmed "AA+" ratings to the county's infrastructure sales surtax tax, communication services tax revenue, capital improvement revenue and second guarantee entitlement revenue bonds. The ratings were characterized by strong financial performance, low debt, a solid operating profile, manageable system expansion, good operational and financial management frameworks and solid service area fundamentals. Citizens ranked us highly as well in an exceptional Citizen Opinion Survey. The proportion of respondents who rated their quality of life in the county as excellent or good rose to 97 percent in 2016, and of those, 93 percent said they are satisfied with most of the many services provided by Sarasota County. Trust in our leadership also reached its highest mark in 25 years — 60 percent of respondents (up from 51 percent in 2015) said they trusted county leaders to do the right thing for residents.
In FY16, we continued to build on that trust by opening our doors, both literally and figuratively, to a wider audience. In addition to formally opening a staffed Welcome Center, we introduced a new mobile app that allows the public to report quality-oflife issues and request county services. We launched a web-based dashboard that gives anyone with access to the Internet or a smartphone the ability to view our internal performance standards, and we completed a number of high profile infrastructure and planning projects that will improve and enrich our community for decades to come. These projects include three new fire stations, the Honore Avenue/Pinebrook Extension, Siesta Beach improvements, a newly adopted Parks Master Plan and a newly adopted Comprehensive Plan to ensure responsible growth. We also launched a housing affordability initiative. None of this would be possible without the direction and support of a county commission and the more than 2,200 employees who dedicate themselves each day to serving the citizens of Sarasota County. I hope you enjoy looking back on 2016. I welcome your suggestions and input for how we may best serve you in 2017.
Sincerely, Thomas A. Harmer County Administrator
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
1
www.scgov.net
Sarasota County is currently participating in nearly 90 collaborations with local government partners.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
The 2016 Sarasota County Commission
Left to right: Christine Robinson, Paul Caragiulo, Alan Maio, Carolyn J. Mason and Charles D. Hines.
You r loc a l gove r nm ent rep re s enta ti ve s
1 2
Alan Maio
District 4, Chairman
4
Paul Caragiulo
District 2, Vice Chairman
Carolyn J. Mason
3
District 1
Christine Robinson District 3
Charles D. Hines District 5
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Michael A. Moran Nancy C. Detert Newly elected, 2016 District 1
Newly elected, 2016 District 3
5
Sarasota County Districts
VISION To be the premier community where people choose to live, work and play.
MISSION The mission of Sarasota County Government is to be the most livable and best managed community in the country, providing quality services, programs, and facilities that reflect the goals of the community.
VALUES As Sarasota County employees, WE are committed to demonstrating each one of these values at all times. RESPECT WE demonstrate mutual respect through our professionalism, courtesy and appreciation for diversity. ACCOUNTABILITY WE are individually and collectively responsible for our actions as stewards of the public’s trust. INTEGRITY WE adhere to ethical principles, demonstrating mutual respect and conducting ourselves with honesty and sincerity. QUALITY WE take pride in providing quality public service with passion, innovation and excellence. TEAMWORK WE foster a collaborative environment that values creativity, sharing information and ideas, and working together to solve problems and accomplish goals. TRUST WE seek mutual purpose, honor commitments, and use our skills, knowledge and abilities in a way that builds confidence and loyalty.
3 www.scgov.net
Approximately 23 percent of all county volunteers are 75 years old and older (compared to 10 percent of national volunteers and nine percent of state).
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
How your government works E ffec tive a nd re s po n s i b l e l o c a l s elf- g over nment as p re s c r ib ed by t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n and laws o f th e s ta te of Fl o r i da
Sarasota County, Florida
Home Rule
Sarasota County incorporated in 1921 and adopted a Home Rule charter in 1971. It is one of only 20 charter government structures in the state of Florida. Charters are formal written documents that define the powers, duties or privileges of the county. They resemble state or federal constitutions and must be approved, along with any amendments, by the voters of a county.
Sarasota County Commission
Five elected county commissioners serve as Sarasota County’s governing body. Commissioners are elected by voters countywide, but each commissioner must live in a specific district. With the exception of emergency ordinances, commissioners adopt new ordinances (laws) by affirmative vote of three members (some Comprehensive Plan Amendments require a supermajority or unanimous vote). The commission also makes decisions on any amendments to the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan. Commissioners are elected at-large for up to two four-year terms. They appoint a chair and a vice chair, who each serve one calendar year. The chair presides at all meetings of the commission and is recognized as the head of the county for all ceremonial purposes.
Thomas A. Harmer County Administrator
Stephen E. DeMarsh County Attorney
County administrator and attorney
County commissioners appoint only two employees: the county administrator and the county attorney. The county administrator is the chief administrative officer for the county and is solely responsible for managing day-to-day operations; and hiring and dismissing all employees, with the exception of those in the office of the county attorney. The county attorney represents the commission in legal matters and serves as its legal counsel. In addition to the employees listed on the opposite page, three assistant county administrators and two departments report directly to the county administrator. Those departments are: Ethics and Compliance; and Community and Intergovernmental Relations.
Charter Review Board
The Charter Review Board is responsible for reviewing recommended or requested changes to the county charter. The board is composed of 10
4 941.861.5000
members (two from each commission district) who are elected by voters during each general election. They serve four years for a maximum of two terms (or eight years). They serve without compensation and operate independent of the county commission.
Citizen advisory councils
The county has more than 30 citizen advisory boards, councils and committees. Members are appointed by the county commission and advise the commission on specific issues.
Constitutional officers
Sarasota County also has five constitutional officers who are elected by the public for terms of four years: the sheriff, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections and clerk of the circuit court and county comptroller. These elected officials operate independently of the county commission.
Total employees 5
Commission Services
40 Communications 21
County Attorney
4
Economic Development
609
Emergency Services
77
Enterprise Information Technology
38
Health and Human Services
44
Human Resources
142
Libraries and Historical Resources
7
Office of County Administrator
66
Office of Financial Management
197
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
157
Planning and Development Services
320
Public Utilities
265
Public Works
257
Sarasota County Area Transit
12
UF/IFAS Extension and Sustainability
Effective wellness programs continually evaluate their progress and the health of an organization’s employees. Sarasota County has always focused on rewarding employees for good behaviors, and new advances in how health care is applied are giving county employees more power over the quality of care they receive and how much they pay for it. The employees above explore their medical options at the annual Health, Benefits and Safety Expo.
2,261
Total full-time equivalent employees as of the FY16 adopted budget (not including constitutional officers). Totals may not equal the sum of components due to rounding.
9.87 years
Average length of service.
2,261 Total employees
5
www.scgov.net
The minimum length of experience one must have to apply for a general contractor’s license in Sarasota County is four years.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Your tax dollars at work A co m m it m e n t to s te w a rd sh i p o f publi c d o llars Governmental accounting rules and Florida statutes require local governments to follow a unique set of accounting principles and concepts. By law, Sarasota County is required to separate restricted revenues from the general fund, which accounts for all assets and liabilities except those assigned for other purposes in more specialized funds. The general fund accounts for most departmental expenditures, including some costs of community services, development services, maintenance and engineering, public safety, criminal justice services, support service and debt. The charts on the following pages represent adopted budget figures for FY16 (Sarasota County’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30). Operating expenditures are the ongoing costs of providing services and maintaining and operating facilities and infrastructure. Capital expenditures include the purchase of land, construction of buildings, major improvements and construction of basic infrastructure (such as roads). The utility system and services such as stormwater and solid waste (garbage collection) operate like distinct businesses within the county, and the revenues collected are restricted to those respective purposes. Other restricted revenues include the tourist development tax, a 5 percent levy on short-term/hotel stays that must be used for tourism-related expenditures such as construction of tourist-related facilities, promotion/advertising and beach/shoreline maintenance.
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Major revenues in FY16 Property taxes (countywide)
$150,071,453
Utility revenues*
$95,944,051
Infrastructure sales surtax
$33,529,069
Half-cent sales tax
$28,907,664
Impact fees
$19,860,624
Tourist development tax
$18,200,000
FP&L franchise fee
$16,869,939
Gas taxes
$16,215,048
Communications services tax
$9,954,045
State revenue sharing
$8,946,157
Total
$398,498,050
Above data represents adopted budget figures for FY16. * Water and wastewater monthly billings and miscellaneous charges; excludes assessments and capacity fees.
The 1 percent infrastructure surtax (a voter-approved countywide sales tax) is restricted to funding capital projects like building/improving roads, parks, libraries or a jail. Gas taxes are restricted to transportation-related expenditures. In 2006, Sarasota County Government implemented a policy to maintain two reserves in its general fund: a contingency/emergency/disaster relief reserve, which includes 75 days of operating expenditures and is anticipated to be fully funded at the beginning of FY17; and a budget stabilization/economic uncertainty fund, which is being used as intended as the county continues to move beyond the recession.
FY16
SARASOTA COUNTY (Unincorporated)
SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD $0.341 School (State) $0.245 School (Local)
$0.58 School Total
58¢
Sarasota County is funded primarily through:
Sarasota County millage rate
5
TAXES • Ad valorem (property taxes) • Infrastructure surtax • Tourist development tax • Communications services tax • Various fuel taxes
4 3
3.39
3.39
3.39
3.39
3.34
3.34
3.34
3.34
0
3.34
1
3.69
2
FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16
Millage rate
Sarasota County’s FY16 countywide millage rate of 3.3912 mills was the secondlowest in Florida. Other Florida millage rates range from 2.9753 (Monroe County) to 10.0 (Dixie, Hamilton, Liberty, Madison, Union and Gilchrist counties).
Millage rates for cities in Sarasota County City of Sarasota** = 3.4981
City of Venice = 3.2770
Town of Longboat Key = District A 3.0204, District B 2.3958
City of North Port = 3.5974
**(Not including special districts run by the city.)
FY15
PERMITS, FEES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS • Fire and rescue assessments • Solid waste assessments • Stormwater assessments
• Electric franchise fees • Impact fees • Building permits
INTERGOVERNMENTAL • Federal Transit Administration grants • Court-related functions • State revenue sharing • Half-cent sales tax • 9-1-1 communications fee • Community Development Block grants CHARGES FOR SERVICES • Utility system charges • Solid Waste system charges • Ambulance charges • Sarasota County Area Transit charges
SARASOTA COUNTY $0.241 Sarasota County
General operating revenue for the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, Tax Collector, SCAT, Health and Human Services, parks, libraries and other services.
DISTRICTS $0.026 $0.003 $0.079
Southwest Florida Water Management West Coast Inland Navigation Sarasota Memorial Hospital
$0.11
District Total
$0.011 Sarasota County Debt $0.004 Mosquito Control $0.050 Sarasota County EMS $0.31
County Total
31¢
11¢
For illustrative purposes only. Does not include non-ad valorem assessments. Totals include rounding.
7 www.scgov.net
Nearly 250 Sarasota County neighborhoods are registered in the neighborhood registration directory.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Your tax dollars at work Build ing c o n f i d e n c e a n d exp a nd ing t r a n s pa re n c y Total FY16 adopted operating expenditures
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) adopted expenditures by category for FY16
Department/Division
Amount
% of Total
Commission Services
$356,418
0.1%
Communications
$4,040,531
0.6%
County Attorney
$3,621,824
0.6%
Economic Development
$5,016,567
0.8%
Emergency Services
$91,167,448
14.4%
Enterprise Information Technology
$19,692,147
3.1%
Health and Human Services
$24,745,317
3.9%
Human Resources
$62,735,531
9.9%
Neighborhoods
Libraries and Historical Resources
$12,339,645
2.0%
Parks and Recreation
Office of County Administrator
$1,494,875
0.2%
Potable Water
$22,485,000
Office of Financial Management
$62,031,150
9.8%
Reuse Water
$12,920,000
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources
$27,774,708
4.4%
Solid Waste
$1,000,000
Planning and Development Services
$32,964,029
5.2%
Stormwater
$2,742,000
$180,798,306
28.7%
Traffic Circulation
Public Works
$73,805,667
11.7%
Transit Services
Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT)
$26,907,390
4.3%
Wastewater
$1,675,106
0.3%
Watershed Restoration
$631,166,659
100%
Total
Public Utilities
UF/IFAS Extension Services Total Expenditures
Total FY16 adopted operating expenditures do not include constitutional officers.
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CIP Category
Amount
Community Redevelopment
$250,000
Emergency Communications Environmental Protection General Government Information Technology
$218,000 $15,579,180 $6,141,000 $820,160
Library
$8,056,291
Natural Resources
$2,011,136 $500,000 $5,379,416
$23,096,563 $9,385,557 $36,250,000 $2,258,000 $149,092,303
Capital improvement program project adopted expenditures by department for FY16
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK Planning and Development Services $16,329,180 10.9%
Emergency Services $218,000 0.1%
Public Works-Transportation $23,096,563 15.5%
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources $7,390,552 5.0%
Public Utilities $77,655,000 52.1%
Libraries and Historical Resources $8,056,291 5.4% Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) $9,385,557 6.3%
Sarasota County earns highest professional recognition in governmental budgeting
Enterprise Information Technology $820,160 0.6%
Sarasota County earns
NATIONAL PROCUREMENT AWARD for second year
In 2016, Sarasota County's Procurement division received the “Achievement of Excellence in Procurement” award from the National Procurement Institute. This is the second consecutive year the county has won the award, which honors organizational excellence in public and nonprofit procurement, provides benchmarks for continued excellence and increases awareness of public procurement as a profession. The award reflects the county’s concerted efforts to build confidence in internal processes and reflects the county commission’s commitment to transparency and stewardship of public dollars. This accreditation reflects sweeping changes and improvements not only to procurement and the way Sarasota County conducts its business, but
also to the key areas of contracting, transparency and ethics. Sarasota County was cited for achievements in:
• Automation and
electronic procurement. • Establishment of a procurement staff professional development program. • F ormal surveys of both internal and external procurement customers. • Certifications and credentials of the procurement organization. • Ethics policy development and implementation.
In 2016 and for the 26th consecutive year, Sarasota County earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Florida Association of Counties and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award is the highest professional recognition in governmental budgeting. National recognition is based on how well a budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and a communication device. It is rated based on 27 specific criteria. In addition, Sarasota County earned Special Capital Recognition, based on all three reviewers giving the capital expenditures and impact of capital investments on the operating budget criterion outstanding ratings. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving more than 18,300 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. To learn more about the budget process for Sarasota County Government, visit www.scgov.net/Finance.
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In 2016, nearly 2,600 kids registered for Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources camps.
Public Works-Facilities and Fleet Management $6,141,000 4.1%
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Ensure fiscal sustainability Pro a c t ive m a n a g e m e n t a n d s tro ng re se r ve f u n d po l i c i es Sarasota County’s budget provides support for a broad range of services, including public safety, water/ wastewater utility systems, infrastructure maintenance and a public transit system. In addition to funding public services that create a superior quality of life (such as libraries, parks and health), the county’s budget includes the costs of elected officials such as the Sarasota County sheriff, property appraiser, tax collector, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court and county comptroller. The county’s budget also supports the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science.
•
• •
2016 fiscal highlights
• Fitch Ratings affirmed the county’s
•
•
“AAA” issuer credit rating and affirmed “AA+” ratings to the county’s infrastructure sales surtax bonds, Series 2008A, 2008B, 2014 and 2015; communication services tax revenue bonds, Series 2006 and 2010; capital improvement revenue bonds, Series 2010A and 2010B; and second guarantee entitlement revenue bonds, Series 2013 — all with a stable outlook. Standard and Poor’s (S&P) affirmed its “AAA” issuer credit rating with a stable outlook for Sarasota County and raised the county’s limited ad valorem tax bonds rating from “A-“ to “AA+”. B oth Fitch and S&P assigned AA+ ratings to $18.6 million in utility system revenue bonds for improvements to the water, wastewater and reuse systems, and
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•
$43 million in utility system revenue refunding bonds, which were issued for interest savings. For the second consecutive year, Sarasota County’s procurement division was honored for “Achievement of Excellence in Procurement” by the National Procurement Institute. The award honors organizational excellence in public and nonprofit procurement and provides benchmarks for continued excellence. T he county collected $28.8 million in impact fee revenue. S CAT Plus, the county’s paratransit service, transitioned to a private vendor. Anticipated savings in FY17 could reach $600,000. For the 26th year, Sarasota County earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
• T he county passed a new mowing
•
ordinance that requires property owners in residential areas within the urban service boundary to maintain public rights of way adjacent to their properties. This is expected to save the county $500,000 annually. Sarasota County began saving electricty costs at the county’s data center as a result of cold row containment technology. The system encapsulates the center’s cold aisles and keeps warm air from mixing with the cold air. This design allows the data center to work less in cooling itself and allows the hardware to operate at its optimal level.
Learn more at www.scgov.net/Finance.
The county administrator's budget is presented in June, and the final budget is presented to the public in September.
Sarasota County’s budget process includes budget workshops with the Sarasota County Commission, a comprehensive mid-year review of spending levels by each department and in-depth budget review meetings for the upcoming fiscal year at the departmental level. The process begins in December and concludes with presentation of the county administrator’s budget to the county commission in September, public workshops and adoption of the budget.
11 www.scgov.net
Sarasota County receives $34 million annually from the 1 cent infrastructure surtax.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Encourage economic growth I nnova ti ve c o l l a bo r a t i o n fo r a fu t u re wo r k fo rc e Economic and workforce development are high priorities for Sarasota County, and in 2016, county leaders established a new partnership that will benefit residents, business owners and local entrepreneurs. In March, it was announced that the University of Florida’s (UF) Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering will open the UF Innovation Station in Sarasota County. It will be the first physical extension of UF’s Florida Engineering Experiment Station (FLEXStation), affording local businesses and entrepreneurs unprecedented access to technology workforce talent, applied research and intellectual property.
The UF Innovation Station will provide access to the most important ingredients for building a 21st century economy: talent and ideas. A variety of local workforce development initiatives are also envisioned, as well as a gateway to UF intellectual property. The Innovation Station’s ultimate goal is to position the region as a leader in technology-related industries.
Other ways Sarasota County encouraged economic growth in 2016:
UF officials chose Sarasota County in part because the university can help accelerate growth in the county’s emerging innovation economy. The university envisions a wide range of initiatives that will impact startup, high-growth and established innovation companies, including attracting new innovation economy companies to Sarasota County. Strategic partnerships with local education institutions, the public and private sectors and philanthropic organizations are critical to accomplishing this vision.
•
Also in 2016, the county continued its successful partnership with Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles, which attracted nearly 120,000 people to 16 spring training games.
• L aunched a housing • • •
•
• • •
affordability initiative. F unded a community reinvestment program. Assisted six companies with job retention and expansion. Assisted 90 businesses with workforce development. H eld 59 sports tournaments at county facilities, and the total number of tournament days increased in 2016. B egan negotiating terms with the West Villages community and the Atlanta Braves baseball team for the potential funding, design and construction of a state-of-the-art spring training destination in the new master-planned community. Completed construction of a new BMX track at the county’s 17th Street Youth Athletic Complex. Developed a strategy to attract ancillary manufacturing for sports tourism niches, such as rowing, paddle boarding and BMX. D eveloped a plan to address the shortage of professional and highly skilled workforce talent.
Learn more at www.scgov.net/ EconomicDevelopment.
Little does this tyke with the fuscia-colored Mohawk helmet know how valuable her sport is to the local economy.
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YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
13 www.scgov.net
Office of Business and Economic Development staff visited 229 companies in FY16.
Sarasota County recognizes that economic diversification is the key to sustaining a high quality of life and attracting growing industries. That’s why the county concentrates equally on attracting manufacturing while growing niche sports like rowing, lacrosse and competitive BMX (bicycle motocross).
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Provide excellent service Find ing n e w w ay s to m a k e c o n t a c t w i t h c i t i ze n s Results from the 2016 Citizen Opinion Survey show that 93 percent of county citizens are satisfied with Sarasota County services overall. The biggest changes over the past five years of the survey have been the increases in “very satisfied” responses and the proportion of citizens contacting the county to get information (a figure that has steadily increased from 28 percent in 2013 to 58 percent in 2016). Of those who contacted the county, 94 percent say they were treated with respect, and 87 percent received help in a timely manner. A major contributing factor to these increases has been the increase in the number of ways Sarasota County has made itself and its employees available to the general public. The current Venice Library is located at 260 N. Nokomis Ave.
In FY16, the Sarasota County Contact Center received 186,666 calls, 64 percent of which were answered within 30 seconds. The “Questions, Requests and Comments” link on the home page of www.scgov.net received 2,046 emails and 1,424 online service requests; and 288 contacts were submitted to the county’s new SeeClickFix app (learn more about this on Page 22). The county’s new Welcome Center recorded 3,622 visitors to the downtown Administration Center. In all, Sarasota County made 195,588 contacts with citizens via telephone calls, email, Web access, Web app or the Welcome Center. Mystery shopping scores for “over-the-phone” encounters averaged 92.52 percent satisfaction. “Over-the-counter” service satisfaction scores averaged 82.49 percent.
Here are some of the other ways Sarasota County served its citizens in 2016:
• Responded to advanced life support
calls in 6.2 minutes, on average. • Added a new public transit bus route between Laurel and Knights Trail roads, and improved services to routes 10, 13, 14 and 17. • Emergency Services’ first unit on scene arrived on average within six minutes. • Performed 134 water rescues at guarded beaches (a 26.4 percent increase over 2015). • Launched a new online public records request management system. • Transported patients to an accredited stroke facility in 23.5 minutes, on average. • Opened three new fire stations: Fire Station 17 (Desoto Road), 12 (Bee Ridge Road) and 14 (South Tamiami Trail). • Made 62 public access enhancements to Sarasota County preserves.
• Constructed 30 new bus shelters in
Sarasota County, 15 of which were on the state roadway system in the cities of North Port, Venice and Sarasota, as part of a Florida Department of Transportation-funded project. • Completed a Comprehensive Operational Analysis of the Sarasota County Area Transit bus system. • Improved solid waste customer service in the northern part of the county.
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Sarasota County is committed to quality library services for all its citizens. Accordingly, work continues to provide library services to patrons of the 50-yearold Venice Library that closed in February 2016. A full-service temporary location at 260 N. Nokomis Ave. features a full range of books, magazines and other materials. Public computers and children’s and teen areas are also available. While planning and construction of a new permanent location takes place, community workshops keep the public updated on the progress of a new Venice Public Library.
15 www.scgov.net
The Sarasota County Contact Center averages more than 900 calls per day and 285 online service requests per month.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Plan for positive development and redevelopment B e s t p r ac t i c e s fo r c o m mu ni t y m a inte n a n c e a n d e x pa n si on
In 2016, the Sarasota County Commission completed an update to the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan provides the policy framework for big-picture decisions on how the county grows; from parks, to schools to roads. The 18-month-long process ended in October with an adopted plan that involved the input of more than 4,000 Sarasota residents and better coordinates chapter elements while allowing staff to update data more frequently. Also in 2016, Sarasota County was chosen to host the 20th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference, a statewide event dedicated to empowering residents to be more effective in leading their communities. Over the course of three days, citizens, neighborhood leaders, community association managers and local government representatives from around the state met to discuss best practices for community development. The county’s selection as host for the conference underscored its commitment to giving communities the tools needed to thrive as the state continues to welcome new residents. Also in 2016, the county approved a plan geared toward improving the Pinecraft neighborhood while preserving its unique culture; and developed a Parks, Preserves and Recreation Master Plan.
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Other 2016 highlights
• Offered up to $10,000 in assistance to neighborhoods for matching grants.
• Approved 2,543 dwelling units
through public rezone petitions. • Issued 32,749 permits for building, zoning only and land development right-of-way/culverts (17,925 were issued via the Internet and 14,824 were issued manually). • Approved 2,089 residential lots through the platting process. • Issued 1,467 single-family residential permits. • Issued 982 multi-family permits. • Conducted 110,911 building inspections. • Conducted 5,775 code enforcement investigations. • Approved 66 commercial projects for site construction. • Issued 2,525 environmental permits. Learn more at www.scgov.net (keywords comp plan update).
County inspectors and engineers are dedicated to ensuring the safety and zoning compliance of all residential and commercial buildings.
Numerous formal plans act as policy documents for decision-making and the wise investments of resources in the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County. Those plans are updated regularly to reflect existing community characteristics and demographic changes, with an understanding of anticipated future trends. They also guide future development and growth to ensure a more resilient community.
17 www.scgov.net
10,469: The total number of people who visited the Permitting Center at the Sarasota County Operations Center during the first six months of 2016.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Promote quality of life R e c re a t io n , h u ma n se r v i c e s a nd e c on o mi c o p po r t u n i t y
Heavy equipment paves the way for natural infrastructure.
The quality of one’s life, or that of a community, is highly dependent on a number of factors: amenities, economic opportunities and available human services. It is also a strong economic driver. In 2016, financial broadcaster CNBC named the North Port-SarasotaBradenton metropolitan area to its list of “America’s Best Places to Start a Business.” Fourteen percent of the area’s total score came from quality of life. Overall, 97 percent of respondents to the county’s 2016 Citizen Opinion Survey rated their quality of life as excellent or good (up from 95 percent in 2015). The sharpest increase was in the “excellent” rating, up from 48 percent in 2015 to 59 percent in 2016. The survey points to a direct link between quality-of-life rankings and ratings of county services. Ninety-nine percent of those who are very satisfied with county services rate their quality of life in Sarasota County as either excellent or good. The county’s existing system of parks and preserves contains more than 160 sites, encompassing approximately 3,600 acres of parkland and over 50,000 acres of managed natural lands. County staff and partner organizations provide over 600 programs per year, including summer camps, special events, nature and environmental programs and other general recreation programs. Sarasota County is a highly mobile community. In addition to The Legacy
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Trail (a hiking and bicycling trail that connects communities across Sarasota County), there are 157 designated bike lanes and 2,059 public transit bus stops (plus 191 more that are sheltered). You can take a bus to your favorite trail — 66 buses are equipped with bicycle racks. Sarasota is also a healthy community. The county’s drinking water was recognized among the safest, cleanest and best tasting in the region. In 2016 (and for the third consecutive year), the Florida Department of Health recognized the county as a Healthy Weight Community Champion for its policies to increase physical activity and improve nutrition. Other ways Sarasota County contributed to the community’s quality of life in 2016:
• Opened a larger temporary public
library in Venice while design moves forward on a permanent facility.
• Held the ribbon cutting for the
Newtown Estates Park Community Center/Boys and Girls Club, which represents a new partnership for the county in providing a local afterschool program in the area. • Completed the Siesta Beach Improvement Project. • Adopted the Backyard Chicken Ordinance. • Worked with Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Town of Longboat Key, and the cities of North Port, Sarasota and Venice to successfully appeal revised FEMA flood maps. • Broke ground on a joint library location at Suncoast Technical College in partnership with the Sarasota County School Board and the city of North Port. For more information, visit www.scgov.net (keyword GIS or Parks).
An effective multimodal transportation system that connects local and regional destinations within the county is a major contributor to the community’s quality of life. In 2016, the Myakkahatchee Creek Bridge became a key link in the North Port Connector Trail that will eventually connect The Legacy Trail with North Port.
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Sarasota County has 233 miles of linear bike lanes, equal to the length of 4,100 football fields.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Maintain and enhance existing infrastructure A s t r u c t u r a l fo u n d a t i o n for a grow i n g c o mmu n i t y In FY16, Sarasota County managed 210 • Completed the Vesper Avenue pedestrian bridge. capital improvement projects, meeting an average of 95 percent of project milestones on time. The county completed 41 projects Facilities with a budget value of more than $175 • Completed construction of a temporary Venice Library at 260 N. million. This framework of road, facilities, Nokomis Ave. to provide a larger utility and recreation projects forms the space for library patrons while design foundation for the community’s quality moves forward on a new permanent of life. library in Venice.
Traffic
• Completed the Honore
• Constructed three new fire stations. • Completed renovation of the Venice
Avenue Extension. Landfill Transfer Station. • Completed resurfacing of Utilities Jacaranda Boulevard and Woodmere Park Boulevard. • Completed the Kensington Park Stormwater Improvement Project, • Coordinated with the Florida which consisted of placing more than Department of Transportation to 1,600 feet of stormwater lines in the complete U.S. 301 landscape and Kensington Park neighborhood. irrigation right-of-way improvements from Myrtle Street to Desoto Road. • Completed the Venice Gardens Water Reclamation Facility Expansion I nstalled sidewalks and lighting on the • Project, which increased capacity of south side of Myrtle Street from U.S. 41 the plant from 2 million gallons per to Central Avenue in a jointly approved day to 3 million gallons per day. project with the city of Sarasota.
• Completed improvements to the
Bee Ridge Septage Facility, which consisted of demolishing the existing septage (waste from septic tanks) receiving station and equipment/ control enclosure, and constructing a new receiving station, control panel and remote operator station.
• Completed construction of the
National Boulevard and Taylor Ranch Trail Water Looping Project to eliminate a dead-end water line and provide continuous connection to the potable water system. • Completed the Cattlemen Road to Professional Parkway water main interconnect, which provides a second potable water connection linking the water system north of Fruitville Road. • Completed phase two of the Central County Solid Waste Disposal Resurfacing Project.
Parks and recreation
• Completed the neighborhood-
initiated dredging of South Creek Bayou No. 1.
• Completed the Celery Fields
Mitigation Replanting Phase 3 project to enhance wetland vegetation for water quality treatment. • Completed the second phase of the South Siesta Beach (Turtle Beach) Restoration Project. Sarasota County manages 137 bridges, 2,328 lane miles of roads, more than 38,000 road signs, 237 signalized intersections and 5,050 street lights.
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In 2016, work began to resurface Center, Auburn and Border roads; Venice East and Shamrock boulevards; and Shamrock Drive. Improvements include repairs to sidewalks, striping and asphalt, along with the installation of new vehicle detection equipment at the intersections of Center Road and Horse and Chase Boulevard and at Shamrock Boulevard and Banyan Drive.
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16 million gallons of wastewater can run through the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility at one time.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Cultivate an innovative organization Find ing n e w w ay s to i n c re a s e t r a ns p a re n c y a n d a c c o u n t abi li t y In 2016, Sarasota County launched two new digital tools to provide citizens with additional ways to engage with their government. First, the county partnered with SeeClickFix on a new mobile app that allows the public to report quality-of-life issues and request county services. Citizens can now provide county staff with pictures, videos, specific descriptions and real-time locations of their reports or requests. They can report non-emergency issues, such as potholes or inoperable traffic signals; and they can view and comment on issues submitted by their neighbors. They can even create their own "watch areas" to receive notifications about all the issues reported in their community, not just the ones they report. The county also debuted a performance dashboard at www.scgov.net with frequently updated data about the organization's progress toward achieving its eight strategic goals.
response in particular. In 2017, the county will launch a new website that is more responsive to mobile devices. Other ways that Sarasota County is cultivating a more innovative organization:
• Implemented the first phase of a
compensation study to help make the organization more competitive with the private sector. • Retained 94.4 percent of employees past the six-month probationary period. • Conducted 60 percent of library transactions through automation. • Continued to make progress with assuming Town of Longboat Key 911 dispatch. Training for staff should begin in early 2017.
• Enacted a policy to provide
consistency in obtaining useful and relevant customer feedback ratings through a standard survey scale. • Internal hires for open positions (including promotions and reassignments) rose from 31.1 percent in 2015 to 34.4 percent in 2016. • Updated job descriptions enterprisewide and developed a more efficient way to store the data. • Upgraded the county intranet to enhance department information sharing among employees. Learn more at www.seeclickfix.com and www.scgov.net/dashboard.
Both tools are a response to the evolving ways the community is seeking and sharing information. Feedback from the county’s annual Citizen Opinion Survey shows that more residents are accessing the Web via mobile devices (60 percent in 2016, up from 49 percent in 2015), while Web access via personal computers declined 17 percent. Nearly 40,000 people follow the county’s 14 Facebook and seven Twitter accounts, which are increasingly being used as a more efficient alternative to traditional media releases in sharing news about the county’s programs and emergency
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Sarasota County Government recognizes that employees are its most valuable asset. The county uses a variety of recruitment efforts to find people who can provide a broad range of services and interact daily with the public. In 2016, Human Resources staff attended 17 job fairs, reaching nearly 2,500 potential job seekers.
In 2016, Sarasota County, in partnership with Manatee County, initiated the replacement of their aging public safety radio systems with a regional P25 800 MHz radio system. With a combined value of nearly $30 million, the open architecture allows subscriber units from most all vendors to operate seamlessly on the regional system.
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www.scgov.net
Commission Services processes more than 100 advisory council applications each year.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Be environmental stewards Cle a n lan d s, a i r a n d w a te r Sarasota County Government is committed to being a generous environmental landlord, surrounding the county’s wastewater treatment facilities and landfills with protected wetlands and preserves that serve as homes for an amazing array of birds and wildlife. Clean lands and water are also a high priority. Twenty-seven tons of recyclable material (twice the weight of a Sarasota County Area Transit bus) are collected each year in the unincorporated areas of the county. After the annual Fourth of July fireworks on Siesta Beach, Keep Sarasota County Beautiful staff and
volunteers collected nearly 162 bags of trash and recyclables. They weighed an estimated 1.42 tons, equal to the weight of one rhinoceros. In 2016, the Emergency Operations Center and Gulf Gate Library both received LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, as did Fire Stations 12, 16 and 17. The county also began seeking public input to help implement the state of Florida’s 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act.
Over the past year, Sarasota County also:
• I ssued 2,525 environmental permits. • Planted 1,648 new trees as part of the Siesta Beach Improvement Project. • Safely burned 11,635.3 acres through the county’s prescribed burn program. • Sold 232 rain barrels. Since the program to expand the community’s use of rain barrels began in 2009, Sarasota County has sold 2,719 barrels, capturing potentially 149,545 gallons of stormwater runoff per rain event. • Replaced organophosphatebased larvacides in mosquito management with less toxic but equally effective products. • Joined the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge. • Opened Walton Ranch and the connector bridge that joins North Port’s Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park with the county’s eastern ranchlands. The 3,760-acre Walton Ranch was jointly purchased in 2010 by Sarasota County and Southwest Florida Water Management District using Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program funds. The preserve has the potential to serve as a regional “trail hub” for a conservation corridor that extends from the Myakka River to the Peace River. This working ranch has more than 19 miles of trails, marshes, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. It is open to horseback riders, hikers and bicyclists.
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Eastern mosquitofish provide free, environmentally safe mosquito control for up to two years in ditches, swales and artificial ponds.
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www.scgov.net
454 linear feet: The length of the "mobi-mat" installation at Siesta Beach. Six pull-outs add 90 linear feet to that total.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Your county at work Wh a t d oes yo u r c o u n t y d o ? M o re t ha n yo u k n ow.
1 A community’s primary association with its local government is based on a desire for public safety, and at that, Sarasota County excels. But few know the extent to which Sarasota County serves its citizens in other, more unusual ways. For example, in the interest of public health, the county captures, identifies and counts an estimated 1 million mosquitoes annually. It maintains a flock of sentinel chickens that are tested for mosquito-borne disease, and it has approximately 15,000 specialized fish that it provides free of charge to residents to help control the local mosquito population. Some other fun facts: Over the past 17 years, Sarasota County has protected more than 170,000 trees, and the county’s electrodialysis reversal water treatment plant is the third-largest in the
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world. The county’s fleet maintenance team works on 300 different makes and models of machines, from concrete saws to fire trucks. The county recycles leftover paint and used motor oil. It manages seven community gardens where, for a nominal fee, gardeners receive a garden plot, basic gardening tools, soil testing, compost and water. The county is even in the matchmaking business to an extent. There have been more than 400 weddings on Sarasota County beaches since 2010. In 2016, more than 400 couples renewed their vows during the annual Valentine’s Day “Say I Do—Again” ceremony at Siesta Beach.
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Much of this work goes on behind the scenes, but all of it supports the excellent quality of life residents enjoy in Sarasota County.
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What else did Sarasota County do in 2016? 1. County workers put the finishing touches on updates to the pistol and rifle range at Knight Trail Park. The range partially reopened in October after installation of sound baffles. 2. The Venice Gardens Water Reclamation Facility Expansion Project will increase the plant’s ability to treat wastewater from 2 million gallons per day to 3 million gallons. 3. Bike lanes are part of most new road projects, including this one on the new Honore Avenue Extension. 4. In May, Sarasota County broke ground on a new 22,321-square-foot North Port library at Suncoast Technical College.
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5. In July, the county hosted the U.S. Lifesaving Association Southeast Region Lifeguard Championships. 6. Every year, Sarasota County works to reduce illness in the community overall by providing free flu vaccine to its employees, dependents and retirees.
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7. Fire Station No. 14 in Sarasota is designed to withstand 150-mph winds. It has also been LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
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8. The Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower will be part of the worldclass rowing facilities at the 600acre community park. The Nathan Benderson Community Park Foundation is funding construction of the building, which will be transferred to county ownership upon completion. 9. In October, Sarasota County hosted the 20th Annual Florida Neighborhoods Conference in Venice. People from throughout the state participated in two dozen workshops, three tours, a keynote luncheon, an anniversary reception and an exhibition of neighborhood-friendly organizations and businesses.
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713,000 cubic yards of sand were dredged and placed to renourish south Siesta Beach.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Awards and achievements
Th i s i s ju st a s a mpli ng o f the reco gni ti o n S a ras o ta Count y G ove r n m e n t pro grams, s er v i c es, i ni ti a ti ves and emp l oye e s re c e i ve d i n 2016.
1.
The Emergency Operations Center was named Project of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors of North Florida.
2.
The Uplands subdivision resurfacing project was awarded the Larry Lemon Award for Quality in Construction by the National Asphalt Pavement Association.
3.
Fleet technician Michael Naletko was named Technician of the Year by the Association of Equipment Professionals. Fleet mechanic Andrew Rouslin was a finalist.
4.
“SRQ Magazine” named the Siesta Beach pavilion its Building of the Year.
5.
Fleet Acquisition Manager Brianne Hayes was recognized by “Government Fleet” as one it its “20 Under 40” Fleet’s Future Leaders.
6.
Ed Smith Stadium was named Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association.
7.
Sarasota County Government earned the State and Local Government Benefits Association 2016 Challenge Award.
8.
For the second consecutive year, Sarasota County's Procurement division was honored for Achievement of Excellence in Procurement by the National Procurement Institute.
9.
Gulf Gate Library was nominated for a People’s Choice Award by “Library Journal.”
10.
For the third consecutive year, Sarasota County was recognized by the Florida Department of Health as a Healthy Weight Community Champion.
11.
Keep Sarasota County Beautiful received the 2015 Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award.
12.
Sarasota County Fleet Services was named one of the 100 Best Fleets in America by www.the100bestfleets.com.
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YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
13.
Sarasota County received the Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association West Coast Branch for the U.S. 41 and River Road project.
14.
The Sarasota County Clerk’s Office won the Annual Financial Reporting Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
15.
Senior procurement analyst Christine Davis won a Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials contest for her essay on the solicitation process.
16.
The Florida Bicycle Association selected Friends of The Legacy Trail as the 2015 Trails Promoter of the Year.
17.
Sarasota County’s drinking water won top honors in a regional Best Tasting Drinking Water contest from the Florida section of the American Water Works Association.
18.
The county’s Landfill Gas-to-Energy Plant was named Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers Suncoast Branch. It also won a 2016 Excellence Award from the Solid Waste Association of North America.
19.
Sarasota County earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Florida Association of Counties and the Government Finance Officers Association.
20.
The Emergency Operations Center, Gulf Gate Library and Fire Stations 12, 16 and 17 earned LEED status from the U.S. Green Building Council.
21.
“Tech Insider” named Gulf Gate Library the most beautiful library in the state of Florida.
22.
CNBC named the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan area to its list of America’s Best Places to Start a Business.
23.
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources received the Excellence in Sports Tourism Award from The Florida Recreation and Park Association.
24.
Sarasota County’s 2015 annual report won a Silver Circle Award from the CityCounty Communications and Marketing Association.
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2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
How to get involved Sar a s o t a Co u n t y v a l u e s t h e pa r ti ci pa ti o n a nd i nput o f res i d ents i n t he decis ion- m a k i n g pro c e ss. Th e co unt y o ffers a v a r i et y o f o ppo r tuni ti e s to par tic ip a te i n l o c a l gove r n m e nt, enr i c h the co mmuni t y a nd d i s c over ne w con ne c t ions fo r p e r so n a l de ve l o pment. Civics 101: A Citizen’s Academy Civics 101 is a multi-week program that includes events designed to elevate the ability of Sarasota County residents to respond to the needs of their communities. The program and events are free, and the registration process is simple. To learn more, email neighbor@ scgov.net or call 941-861-5000.
Neighborhood grant programs
Sarasota County offers neighborhood improvement grants to communities that are willing to match funding through cash, in-kind donations, professional labor or volunteer hours. Resident and homeowners associations, or ad-hoc groups of neighbors who notice a need for improvement in one or more of the following areas may be eligible to apply:
• Character – “place-making” through
• Health – increasing access to
• Leadership – training neighborhood
For more information on the next grant cycle, contact neighbor@scgov.net, or call 941-861-5000.
the enhancement of assets that are a source of pride and neighborhood identity.
leaders or teams, and developing skills for neighborhood governance or action.
• Safety – equipping the neighborhood with the knowledge or tools to prevent, prepare for or respond to incidences of crime, danger or disaster.
• Environment – protecting water and energy resources and native plants and animals.
nutritious diets, physical or mental fitness opportunities or health education.
Advisory councils
The county has more than 30 citizen advisory boards, councils and committees, with members appointed by the Sarasota County Commission. Each advisory council focuses on a specific issue or topic. For a list of current council openings, or to submit an application online, visit www.scgov.net.
4 WAYS
Members of the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals are defined as “local officers” and are required by Florida Statute to file annual financial disclosures.
GET INVOLVED TO Visit www.scgov.net
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• CIVICS 101: A CITIZENS ACADEMY: (keywords civics 101) • NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAMS: (keywords neighborhood grants) • ADVISORY COUNCILS: (keywords advisory councils) • VOLUNTEER: (keyword volunteers)
Volunteering connects you to others, increases self-confidence, improves your outlook, helps you stay healthy, and brings fun and fulfillment to your life. Share your skills and experience at www.scgov.net.
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More than 15,000 Utilities customers have enrolled in electronic billing, representing approximately 17 percent of the customer base.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2016 SARASOTA COUNTY ANNUAL REPORT
Of all the ways Sarasota County interacts with its constituents, the most powerful is face-to-face. Visitors to the county’s downtown Administration Center are greeted as they enter, and wished well when they depart. If someone needs assistance, they’ll receive it in person. It’s an important part of the conversation between local government and the residents we serve. Contact us: 941-861-5000 www.scgov.net www.seeclickfix
Welc om e to Sa r a so t a Co u n t y In 2016, Sarasota County formally opened a Welcome Center in the lobby of the downtown Administration Center in Sarasota. The idea of opening a traditional customer service station supported by in-person representatives seemed an anachronism in an age of voicemail, text messages and social media, but the center was an instant hit. Citizens now regularly share their
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experiences with the employees and volunteers who staff the center with the Sarasota County Commission. Keep those notes coming. We know the importance of a smile, a voice, on occasion a handshake. And we understand that we serve you. When you have a question, a concern, or you just want to talk with someone about your
local government…we hear you. We see you. We welcome you. We also value the expertise of retired county employees and knowledgeable individuals seeking a fulfilling way to contribute to their community. If you’d like to volunteer, visit www.scgov.net (keyword volunteers).
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
One mil of ad valorem tax will generate more than $47 million in FY17.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
We appreciate the opportunity to serve the community.
YOUR COUNTY AT WORK
2 0 1 6 ANNUAL REPOR T
1660 Ringling Blvd. Sarasota, Florida 34236 941-861-5000 www.scgov.net Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
2016 was a busy year for emergency services in Sarasota County In addition to staffing the three new fire stations that opened in 2016, hundreds of county staff participated in the responses to a rare January tornado, a tropical storm and a massive sixalarm blaze that consumed several buildings and — if not for the efforts of some 80 firefighters — nearly destroyed the J.R.’s Old Packinghouse Café on South Packinghouse Road. The Packinghouse Road fire took place at approximately 5 a.m. June 17, when the temperature was 84 degrees, winds were 12 mph and the humidity was 77 percent. No one thinks fighting fires is easy, but full turn-out gear for a Sarasota County firefighter weighs about 60 pounds, and the Packinghouse fire lasted nearly five hours. That kind of performance takes stamina. Sarasota County’s emergency response was not limited to firefighters. At one point, responders were pumping 4,000 gallons of water a minute on the flames, something that would not have been possible without a robust utility system. And consider the response to the year’s wild weather. After the tornado in January, more than 33 tons of debris was removed from area waterways. In preparation for Tropical Storm (later Hurricane) Hermine, county staff assisted with and handed out approximately 14,000 sandbags in north, central and south Sarasota County. Between Sept. 2 and Sept. 7, 10 teams of employees inspected approximately 2,562 properties for damage (2,400 were assessed between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 alone). Also, the fire stations that officially opened in 2016 didn’t build themselves; they are the culmination of efforts by employees from Public Works, Public Utilities, and Planning and Development Services. While you ponder the scope of the teams that contribute to the community’s public safety, here are some other things you might not know:
• The Sarasota County Fire Department has 23 fire engines. •
• • •
If all the fire hoses were placed end-to-end, they would stretch 90,000 feet, or just over 17 miles. Fire trucks are serviced every 150 hours. Every vehicle is serviced at least two times per year. This includes a bumper-to-bumper check and replacement of fuel, oil and filters. A county fire engine carries 1,000 gallons of water. The tallest county fire truck ladder is 100 feet long. T he Emergency Operations Center can operate on generator power for eight days without refueling.