2019 IMPACT Report - Sarasota County, Florida

6 Impact Report 2019 SARASOTA COUNTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sarasota County officially broke ground on The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office new Support Services Facility in July 2019. The main building will be 42,650 square feet and include 12 maintenance bays, 6 radio shop bays, administrative areas, and a combination training and breakroom. There will be a 13,764-square-foot, fully enclosed, ancillary vehicle storage building used to store specialty vehicles, and a 11,551-square-foot property storage area enclosed by chain-link fencing and covered by a metal roof. In 2019, Sarasota County was named one of the top 10 places to retire in the U.S. and Sarasota County Government was named one of the “Best Workplaces for Commuters.” Each year, Sarasota County has an annual citizen survey completed by the University of South Florida for citizen satisfaction of county services, and responsiveness of the employees when contacted. The 2019 results showed that the proportion of respondents who rated their quality of life in the County as excellent or good remained at 97% for the fourth year in a row, and 96% surveyed are satisfied with services provided by Sarasota County which is a record high. Sarasota County voters approved a referendum to acquire and improve The Legacy Trail extension railroad corridor as a safe trail for walking, running and cycling. The purchase of the rail corridor will pay for initial design and engineering of the trail extension, a nearly 8-mile extension that will enhance connectivity from North Port through Venice to downtown Sarasota, and include improvements such as crossings, overpasses at Clark Road and Bee Ridge Road, amenities and increased accessibility. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings announced “AA+” ratings for all 3 Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds and “AAA” rating for the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019. These ratings reflect the County’s superior financial management, solid operating profile and are an indication of the County’s economic health and growth. A high Fitch Rating and S&P Global Rating affords the County the acquisition of debt at a lower rate. AT A GLANCE GOALS OF SARASOTA COUNTY • Encourage Economic Growth • Ensure Fiscal Sustainability • Provide Excellent Service • Plan for Positive Development and Redevelopment • Promote Quality of Life • Be Environmental Stewards • Maintain and Enhance Existing Infrastructure • Cultivate an Innovative Organization