OUR COUNTY Incorporation and Municipalities: • Sarasota County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida and was formally incorporated in 1921. • The County includes unincorporated County and four municipalities: the Cities of Sarasota (County seat), Venice, North Port and the Town of Longboat Key. Geography: • located on the southwest coast of Florida • 725 square mile area (including water areas) with outstanding natural beauty Population: • approximately 441,508 permanent residents Authority to tax: • empowered to levy a property tax on both real and personal property Services provided for citizens: • law enforcement • fre and rescue protection • construction and maintenance of street and trafc systems, highways, bridges and other infrastructure • preservation and maintenance of beaches, parks and environmentally sensitive lands • recreational facilities, programs and cultural activities • comprehensive planning and community development • community information and education programs • health and human services • water and wastewater utilities • solid waste disposal facilities • stormwater utility facilities • public transportation Sarasota County fscal responsibility: • shared by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller (Clerk and Comptroller) • The BCC and the Clerk and Comptroller are separately elected constitutional ofcers vested District 1 City of Sarasota City of Venice City of North Port District 3 District 5 District 4 District 2 with separate powers, according to Florida law. This separation of power provides checks and balances within the County government to help safeguard the assets of the County. • The BCC is responsible for adopting an annual budget for all departments under the commissioners. The budget is prepared by the Ofce of Financial Management, under the direction of the County Administrator, and presented to the commissioners for approval. The budget governs expenditures by the departments. • Clerk and Comptroller pre-audits every expenditure prior to payment to ensure that all expenditures are legal, budgeted and in compliance with County policies and procedures. Impact Report 2021 7
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