Monday is the deadline to register for Nov. 3
Plus a flat city tax rate, a push on revving engines and a storm-repair lawsuit.
Monday, Oct. 5, is the last day to register for the Nov. 3 election, when city voters will fill two at-large City Commission seats. The city's new budget takes effect Thursday and leaves the property tax rate unchanged.
Sarasota County's elections office lists Monday, Oct. 5, as the voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election. City voters will choose two at-large commissioners from three candidates who advanced from the August primary: incumbent Jen Ahearn-Koch, Flo Entler and John Harshman. The top two finishers win the seats.
If you vote by mail, check your request. Requests made for the 2024 cycle have expired. To have a ballot mailed, ask for it by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22.
Early voting runs daily from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and mail ballots must reach the elections office by 7 p.m. One early voting site is North Sarasota Library, 2801 Newtown Blvd.
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City budget adopted with no change to the tax rate
The City Commission adopted its fiscal 2027 budget at a Sept. 21 hearing, the Sarasota Observer reported. The budget totals $322.36 million, 6.19% more than this year. The general fund is $113 million, up about 4.3%. The city's operating tax rate stays at 3.2730 mills, and the new fiscal year starts Thursday, Oct. 1.
To estimate the city operating portion of your bill, divide your taxable value by 1,000 and multiply by 3.273. For example, $300,000 of taxable value works out to about $982.
Sarasota County also adopted a $2.43 billion budget and kept its countywide rate at 3.3842 mills.
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City forms a team to go after revving engines
On Sept. 21, commissioners voted 3-2 to create a sound-enforcement team of police, code enforcement and special-events staff, Sarasota Magazine reported. Mayor Debbie Trice and Commissioner Liz Alpert voted no. The motion directs the city to begin enforcing rules on engine revving and vehicle music as far as current city and state law allow. The city still has to settle training, staffing, equipment and which department has authority.
In the city's sound survey, more than 1,000 of 1,456 respondents named engine revving as a major concern.
Commissioners also changed special-event permits. Sound will now be measured 100 feet from the main speakers, and a reading over either decibel limit can establish a violation. Two more phases of study will add in-season measurements, including near Sarasota and Booker high schools, and more stakeholder meetings before a proposed ordinance.
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State sues storm-repair contractor; how to file a complaint
At a Friday news conference in Sarasota, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against Evolve Construction LLC, Evolve Construction & Restoration Inc. and six principals and officers.
The suit alleges the companies used unfair and deceptive practices on homeowners who needed roof work or water and mold remediation after Hurricanes Ian and Milton. According to the complaint, they collected insurance money and then left jobs unfinished or never started them.
The attorney general's office says at least 80 consumers in 11 counties, including Sarasota and Manatee, have complained. More than 60% are seniors, and together they allege paying over $1 million for work not received as promised. The complaint also alleges that customers signed agreements that lacked the itemized estimates and cancellation language Florida law requires.
These are allegations. None has been proven in court. As of Monday, the defendants had not yet answered the suit, Insurance Journal reported.
If you believe these companies or a similar storm-repair contractor harmed you, file a complaint at MyFloridaLegal.com or call 1-866-9-NO-SCAM. Before hiring anyone, check the contractor's license at MyFloridaLicense.com.
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