Sarasota County · Fiscal Audit
Local Government Accountability Institute · Independent Fiscal Research · Nonpartisan
Independent Research · Sarasota County Commission
The Fiscal Record — Deep Dive
A comprehensive look at the $876M expansion: where the money went, who voted for it, and what the audited records show.
11 questions · Approximately 5 minutes · 100% anonymous
This survey is published by the Local Government Accountability Institute (LGAI), the parent research organization, and SarasotaCountyFacts.org, LGAI’s Sarasota County investigative project.
Using a proprietary AI-driven fiscal audit system, LGAI processed five years of Sarasota County Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (FY 2021–FY 2025, audited by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), every Board of County Commissioners meeting minute, and every bond authorization on record. Every fact below is sourced and verifiable. For 21 documented findings, line-item analysis, and full source documents, visit SarasotaCountyFacts.org.
Which best describes you?
Are you a registered Republican voter in Sarasota County?
How likely are you to vote in the August 18, 2026 Republican Primary for Sarasota County Commission?
Did you know that from FY2022 to FY2025, Sarasota County spending grew from $823 million to $1.22 billion — an increase of $395 million — while Commissioners Neunder and Smith voted YES on every budget with zero recorded NO votes on any spending item?
Did you know that Sarasota County's bonded debt grew from $630 million to $1.11 billion (+76%) during the same period, and both commissioners voted YES on every bond authorization?
Commissioner Mark Smith stated publicly during an August 2025 budget workshop: "We're spending money that we are not going to have. And we're running out of track and not slowing down." He then voted YES on the record $2.524 billion FY2026 budget at both public hearings. Which best describes your reaction?
As Commission Chair, Joe Neunder presided over approval of a new $100 million Administration Center on Fruitville Road featuring a television production studio, wellness center, and commissioner offices with premium views of the Celery Fields — while the average Sarasota worker earns approximately $45,229 per year. Was this an appropriate priority for taxpayer resources?
Sarasota County now ranks #6 out of 67 Florida counties in per-person General Government administrative spending at $4,688 per resident. Given the 48% growth in overall county spending during Neunder and Smith's term, is this level of administrative overhead justified?
Knowing the documented record — $876 million in combined new spending and debt, zero NO votes on any budget during their entire tenure, approval of the $100 million administration building, and the county's own projections of multi-year deficits — how likely are you to support the re-election of Commissioners Joe Neunder and Mark Smith on August 18, 2026?
Both incumbents campaigned in 2022 as fiscal conservatives promising small government and tax restraint. Their record shows they voted YES on every spending increase and bond authorization. Does this align with your definition of fiscal conservatism?
Would you be more likely to support a challenger who commits in writing to reviewing recent spending and debt increases, restoring county reserves, and applying stricter oversight to future budgets and capital projects?
How likely are you to share factual information about Sarasota County's recent spending and debt record with friends, family, or neighbors before the August 18 primary?