Here are my thoughts on the Ballot Amendments.   Note:  Both CONA (Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations) and Protect Siesta Key have endorsed only the County Referendums.  The following my personal recommendations so if you don't agree that is fine. Just wanted to share my thoughts.

November ballot.  I recommend voting

Amendment 1 – NO

Amendment 2 – NO

Amendment 3 – NO

Continue County’s Environmentally Sensitive Land purchase program – YES

Allow $250 million bond to buy more lands for protection? – YES

Why I will vote No on Amendment 1

Florida already has a rainy-day fund to cover revenue shortfalls and emergencies. Amendment 1 proposes two major changes:

1. Raise the fund's limit from 10% to 25% of state general revenue
2. Allow withdrawals for "critical nonrecurring state needs"

HERE'S MY CONCERN: The amendment does not define "critical state needs." Could the Legislature use this money to build a new highway for a big donor's development by labeling it a ‘critical need’? Potentially, yes. Nothing in the amendment expressly excludes such projects. 

The proposal expands how these funds can be spent, without clearly defining the new spending purposes. It sounds like the beginning of a new slush fund for legislators.

Why I will vote NO on Amendment 2

Amendment 2 would eliminate property taxes on qualifying agricultural equipment and machinery. While intended to help farmers, there are important concerns.

1. SMALL FARMS VS. BIG CORPORATIONS: The exemption has no dollar cap and would apply to qualifying equipment owned by both small farmers and major corporations, potentially including Big Sugar companies such as U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals (who should pay more to clean up their environmental messes) and large marijuana companies like Trulieve. 
2. LOST LOCAL REVENUE: Florida's legislative analysis estimates $31 million annually in lost local property tax revenue, affecting funding available for public services. Smaller counties that depend heavily on agriculture could be disproportionately affected by these revenue losses.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Amendment 2 offers agricultural tax relief without distinguishing between small family farms (who could use it) and major corporations (which we should not subsidize).

Why I will vote NO on Amendment 3

AMENDMENT 3 – PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SOME, BUT AT WHAT COST?

Amendment 3 promises property tax relief for qualifying property owners, but there are important consequences voters should understand.

1. PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING: Although the amendment contains language protecting certain public safety expenditures, it does not guarantee that police, firefighters, and emergency services will receive the same funding they receive today. A smaller budget is still a smaller budget, regardless of how the remaining money must be spent.
2. HIGHER TAXES AND FEES? Local governments facing substantial revenue losses may seek to make up the difference through other taxes, increased fees, or cuts to essential services such as libraries and some parks. I believe we will pay more taxes in the long run.
3. NOT ALL TAXES DISAPPEAR: School property taxes would remain, along with other applicable assessments and fees. Homeowners would still have these expenses.

MY CONCERN: We may save money on one portion of our property tax bill, only to pay more elsewhere or receive fewer public services.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It's how our communities will replace the lost revenue and what essential services could be affected.

Why I will vote YES on both of the County’s referendum on the Environmentally Sensitive Land program

SARASOTA COUNTY IS RUNNING OUT OF LAND TO PRESERVE!

Former Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton recently warned that only about 10% of Sarasota County's land remains available for future development or conservation. The other 90% is either already protected, developed, or has development planned.

That leaves very few opportunities to purchase additional land for public parks, wildlife habitats, flood protection, and environmental preservation.

As Sarasota County continues to grow, the amount of land available for conservation will only become more limited.

Once these lands are developed, the opportunity to preserve them may be lost forever. We need the opportunity to buy more land for preservation before it is too late.

Both CONA (Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations) and Protect Siesta Key have endorsed these two referendums.

REMEMBER: These are the LAST TWO QUESTIONS on your ballot. Don't overlook them!

First of all, don’t use the drive thru wash at the Shell on Clark and Honore. My car ended up looking worse after spending $13 on “the works.” Asked for a refund and they refused. Cool!

Anyway…got recs for places south of Fruitville, ideally? What’s up with Larry’s on Clark by all the fancy dealerships?

As the title says- looking for quieter, more relaxed areas with a chance to meet friends our age. (mid 30s)
Not into city nightlife or cities in general. Don’t need to be right up on the beach, but a short drive would be nice. Maybe an area with nice local bars and restaurants.
Ive read about Gulf Gate, Siesta Key, etc, but also read about homeless problems.
Budget: ~3,000 a month

Only helpful, positive answers please. I’ve lived in both Austin, TX and the Cayman Islands, so I don’t need any more lessons about gentrification and overtourism.
Thanks!

Looking for restaurant ideas. Cincinnati native with baby traveling to visit family will be driving from Tampa to Sarasota on Saturday and want to have dinner with a water view in or near Sarasota. Ages 9 months to 85 years old will be at the dinner. Ideas so far Evies, Tarpon Bay, Turtles. Tarpon Bay makes for the shortest drive, but I remember it being more like a bar and that's not my scene so much these days

Did anyone see a small plane or a big drone flying around over the Sarasota Lakes area last night? I couldn’t tell if it was a really small aircraft or a car sized drone. I only saw it airborne for like 30 seconds and it was very close to the ground. I was at a red light and it caught me off guard. I think it may have been a drone because it circled the intersection I was at and then appeared to land somewhere further east like on a large property or something. I couldn’t see it after it went down behind the visible tree line. I’m just curious if anyone else saw it or know what the deal was with that.

He’s hanging out in the doctor’s parking lot

Very cool! I have no idea how that streak happened tho?

Does anybody know of trustworthy, and effective service dog training in the Sarasota area? I am looking for a trainer that will be able to train our dog for service with medical alerts, (Low blood pressure, and faint episodes) and depression and anxiety. In person training with professional, not DIY. My dog is a Poodle Mix and is very well tempered, she is incredibly smart. If anybody has any reputable trainers specifically for service dog training please let me know!

Thank you so much!