Letter to Editor...
VOTE YES ON SURTAX
The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County supports the continuation of the 1 percent sales tax in Sarasota County.
In the past 10 years this tax has funded many projects that have improved the quality of life in Sarasota, Payne Park being the most recent addition to our pleasures. A continuation of that tax will continue to improve our libraries, parks, roads, public safety, schools - all improvements that will also protect and increase our real estate values.
As the League of Women Voters of Florida asserts, "Local governments should be authorized through enabling legislation to utilize additional sources of revenue to finance capital improvements and major maintenance projects." We also "believe that Florida's tax structure should be reformed in order that a greater proportion of taxes would be levied on the basis of ability to pay." In the meantime, this 1 percent sales tax will help keep Sarasota a beautiful place to live in and spread the cost of needed maintenance and improvements evenly among the local citizenry and the visiting and part-time residents.
Vote "Yes" Nov. 6 on the Referendum to Continue the Sales Tax and the Citizen Tax Oversight Committee.
Cindy Guest, president
League of Women Voters