Citizens Tax Oversight Committee Meeting Summary: April 29, 2025

The Citizens Tax Oversight Committee met on April 29, 2025, in Council Chambers in Venice, Florida. Members present at roll call were Mr. Belasco, Dr. Safati, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Bolan, and Ms. Bamonte. The committee elected a chair, approved two sets of past minutes, and received a presentation from Finance Director Linda Sini on the Infrastructure Surtax proposed projects, revenues, and expenses. There was no public comment.

Election of Chair

• Dr. Safati volunteered for the chair position and was nominated and seconded.
• The committee elected Dr. Safati as Chair by roll call vote.

Approval of Minutes

• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the April 21, 2022 regular meeting.
• The committee unanimously approved the minutes of the December 5, 2023 regular meeting.

Discussion Items: Infrastructure Surtax - Proposed Projects/Revenues and Expenses

• Finance Director Linda Sini reported actual one-cent sales tax revenues of approximately $5.7 million in fiscal 2023 and $5.8 million in fiscal 2024. Other revenues included grants, interest on investments, and private contributions forwarded through Venice Heritage Inc. for the Old Betsy display. Total fiscal 2023 expenditures were reported as approximately $3.15 million.
• The one-cent sales tax was reauthorized by voters in November 2021 and runs through 2039. It is collected countywide in Sarasota County and distributed to local governments through a state population-based formula. It can be used only for capital projects and improvements, not for operating expenses or personnel.
• Major projects discussed include Fire Station Two and the relocation of the solid waste and fleet maintenance facility. A $50,000 down payment was made on land for the fleet and solid waste facility. Fire Station Two is in design, ground clearing has started, and the guaranteed maximum price from construction firm Willis Smith is expected within 30 to 60 days.
• The projected Fire Station Two cost was discussed at about $23 million, with an estimated $19.125 million debt issuance figure that may change once final costs and design are known. The presentation noted a contingency of 5 to 10 percent of construction costs.
• The fund has a target reserve policy of $2 million, and the reported excess available was $12.9 million. Staff said the excess would be used toward large projects, with any shortfall covered by debt.
• The city transfers about $200,000 to $300,000 per year into the beach renourishment fund; the next beach renourishment is planned for fiscal year 2026.
• Committee members asked how projects are selected. Staff explained that departments submit capital project requests, staff prioritizes them with the city manager and department directors, and city council reviews them during budget workshops before adopting the budget in September.
• A committee member expressed concern that the one-cent sales tax increase could be a temporary fix and might require another referendum in the future. Staff noted the voter-approved surtax cannot increase beyond one cent until 2039, and any extension would require another countywide referendum.
• Members also asked about procurement, the debt estimate, and whether the city uses best-and-final-offer processes. One member with smart-city development experience offered to assist with departmental decisions and vendor selection.
• A member asked about sidewalks near Ryder Fields; staff clarified they were funded by grant and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, not the one-cent sales tax.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made. The chair noted on the record that there was no public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Dr. Safati was elected Chair by roll call vote.
• The April 21, 2022 minutes were approved unanimously.
• The December 5, 2023 minutes were approved unanimously.
• The committee received the Infrastructure Surtax report and suggested staff add column and line numbers to future financial handouts.
• The meeting was adjourned after discussion and no public comment.