2020 IMPACT Report - Sarasota County, Florida

AT A GLANCE SARASOTA COUNTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sarasota County officially broke ground on the renovation of the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, along with the construction of a new two-story, four-court South County Courthouse in Venice. These improvements and new construction will address the immediate and near-term growth in various court- related and general government services provided from the existing Administration Center. In 2020, 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 2020 results showed that the proportion of respondents who rated their quality of life in the county as excellent or good was 96 percent, and 94 percent surveyed are satisfied with services provided by Sarasota County. Sarasota County celebrated the start of the Legacy Trail Extension, with a ground-breaking ceremony at the future site of the Ashton Road Trailhead. This segment will extend from Proctor Road to Bahia Vista Street with a Trailhead at Webber Street. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings announced “AA+” rating for the Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 and “AAA” rating for the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2020. These ratings reflect the County’s superior financial management, solid operating profile and are an indication of the economic health of the organization and the County’s growing, strong and diverse local economy. A high Fitch Rating and S&P Global Rating affords our organization the acquisition of debt at a lower rate. Also, for the first time, Fitch Ratings has assigned an “AAAf” International Fund Credit Quality Rating and “S1” Fund Market Risk Sensitivity Rating to the Sarasota County Investment Portfolio. The “AAAf” indicates the highest underlying credit quality (or lowest vulnerability to default). The “S1” rating indicates a very low sensitivity to market risk. 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 6 Impact Report 2020