The Informed Voter

Right now, before any facts — how likely are you to re-elect Commissioner Joe Neunder (District 4) on August 18?

Right now, before any facts — how likely are you to re-elect Commissioner Mark Smith (District 2) on August 18?

Is Sarasota County government headed in the right direction or the wrong direction?

FACT: County spending grew from $823M to $1.22 BILLION (+48%) in three years — 6x faster than the population. Both voted YES on every budget. ZERO no votes. Did you know?

FACT: Bonded debt more than DOUBLED — $484M to $1.11B — 30-year debt your grandchildren inherit. Both voted YES on every bond. Did you know?

FACT: Smith warned "We're spending money we won't have" — then voted YES on the record $2.524 BILLION budget. Did you know?

FACT: They approved a nearly $100M administration building by the Celery Fields — bond-financed, no public discussion — while the average worker earns $45,229. Did you know?

FACT: "Small government" Sarasota ranks #6 of 67 Florida counties for administrative bureaucracy — $4,688 per resident, more than Palm Beach, Hillsborough, and Pinellas. Did you know?

FACT: $18.1 MILLION for a 2-acre boatyard — the seller had paid $8.9M two years earlier, a 103% profit on your dime. Did you know?

FACT: Population grew about 8%. Inflation accounts for roughly another 12–15%. Together that justifies a spending increase of about 20%. Instead spending rose 48% and debt rose 76% — leaving roughly $200 MILLION in spending that growth and inflation cannot explain. Were you aware?

NOW KNOWING THE FACTS: How likely are you to re-elect Joe Neunder (District 4)?

NOW KNOWING THE FACTS: How likely are you to re-elect Mark Smith (District 2)?

Two challengers — Jim DeNiro, a 30-year Sarasota PD sergeant endorsed by the Florida PBA, and Kristina Sargent, a U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran and former prosecutor — are running on written commitments to audit the spending, restore reserves, and stop the debt. Would you consider a reform challenger?