Government Digest: July 30 - Aug. 5

Sink leads in PPP poll

FLORIDA — Apparently taking advantage of the mud-slinging in the Republican primary for governor, Democrat Alex Sink leads the two main Republican candidates, according to a survey by Public Policy Polling.

Sink leads Rick Scott 36-30 and Bill McCollum trails by 37-23 though the two Republicans are better known than Sink. The poll of 900 Florida voters was conducted July 16-18. Bud Chiles, an independent and a late entry in the race, finishes third with less than one sixth of the vote in each three-way race.

Scott leads McCollum 43-29 for the Florida Republican Party gubernatorial nomination.

According to a July 21 press release of Raleigh, N.C. based PPP, “Despite leading the race Sink has relatively low name recognition, 54% of Florida voters say they have yet to form an opinion of the Democratic nominee. She is fairly unknown amongst Democrats as well.”

I-75 widening nine years sooner

PASCO COUNTY — A section of Interstate 75 through Pasco County will be widened beginning in 2011, nine years earlier than first planned. The previous scheduled year of construction for the segment was 2020. The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has amended the fiscal year 2010 through 2014 Transportation Improvement Program to advance the $33 million widening of I-75 from four to six lanes from south of SR 56 to north of CR 54.

Interim assessments authorized

TALLAHASSEE — Property appraisers may provide interim assessments for properties believed to have lost value due to the BP oil spill. Gov. Charlie Crist approved Executive Order 10-169 on July 21. It authorizes property appraisers in the 26 counties under the current state of emergency, which includes the eight Gulf Coast counties from Pasco to Collier, to provide an interim assessment of any property that may have declined in value due to the oil spill. Property owners can then use the interim assessments to substantiate claims against BP or other responsible parties.

Debt per resident among highest

COLLIER COUNTY — In fiscal year 2008, the county's debt per resident was nearly three times the state average, according to a Naples Daily News analysis. That's based on financial data from the Florida Department of Financial Services Local Government Reporting database and state population estimates. The county's debt per resident was $2,325, exceeding that of all Florida counties except for Duval and Miami-Dade. According to the state data cited by the Daily News, the county's total debt was $774 million in fiscal 2008. That debt figure has dropped slightly to $765 million today. According to the report, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties also ranked in the top 10 in debt per resident in fiscal 2008. One reason cited for the four counties relatively high debt levels is the few number of cities in these counties that otherwise might hold a larger share of the countywide debt.

MEETINGS

MANATEE COUNTY

The Enterprise Zone Development Agency meets at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at the University IFAS and Manatee County Extension Service, Hailey Room, 1303 17th St., Palmetto.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Charlotte Harbor Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee meets at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug 2, at the Administration Center, room #119, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The Hillsborough County Charter Review Board will hold two public hearings to discuss amending the county charter to increase the number of single-member districts from four to five, and increasing the number of at-large districts from three to four. The first hearing is at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, and the second hearing is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12. Both hearings will be held at the County Center, second floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.

SARASOTA COUNTY

A free Community Disaster Preparedness Workshop for local homeowner associations, business and nonprofit organizations and others, will take place from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Topics include the role of Sarasota County Emergency Management, potential hazards and vulnerabilities, preparedness plans and lessons learned from other locations and disasters. For more information, visit the Sarasota Community Organizations Active in Disaster website www.sarasotacoad.org.

LEE COUNTY

The Horizon Council Executive Committee will meet at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at the Lee County economic development office, 12800 University Drive, suite 325, Fort Myers. For more information, call (239) 338-3161.

CANDIDATE FORUMS

The Manatee Tiger Bay Club will host a candidates' forum at noon Thursday, Aug. 5, at Mattison's Riverside, 1200 First Ave., Bradenton. Candidates for county commission, school board and Florida House District 67 are invited. For more information, see www.manateetigerbay.com.

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club holds a forum for gubernatorial candidates at noon Thursday, Aug. 5 at Michael's On East, 1212 East Ave. (Midtown Plaza) Sarasota. Bill McCollum and Bud Chiles are on the panel, so far. For more information, email [email protected] or call (941) 925-2970.

A Lee County School Board candidates' forum will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. Seven candidates representing three districts will present their qualifications and platforms. The participating candidates are Don Armstrong, Mary Fischer, Arnold Gibbs, Elinor Scricca, Tom Scott and John Traube. A question-and-answer session will follow candidate remarks. The forum is free and open to the public.