County Ponders Tax for Bus Rapid Transit

Sarasota County Commissioners Monday in a workshop pondered the finances of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system between the Airport and the Southgate Shopping Center at Siesta Drive, and came up about $7 million short.

As always the devil is in the funding details. The federal government could devote a maximum of $75 million towards the $100 million project. The state could pick up half of the remainging $25 million, leaving Sarasota County to find the other $12.5 million.

The county already has earmarked $5.5 milion to the project, leaving it about $7 million short. Plus the county would pay the $1.5 million annual operating budget.

“We’re not looking for a financial decision today, but guidance to help shape our presentation” said Rob Lewis, executive director of planning and community development. He’ll come back in late January or early February to update commissioners with better estimates.

Steve Botello, the interim chief financial planning officer, presented a couple of options for commissioners to fill the gap.

One would be a sales tax for regional transportation. It would require public approval – like the three surtax referendums already approved.

“The transit tax could be up to one percent, and require a majority vote of the electorate,” said Botello. “It could be for transit, roads and bridges. A full one percent would raise about $54 million annually.”

Some of that could be used to directly support Sarasota County Area Transit, liberating monies used now from the general fund. 

Botello had another alternative – the public service tax on electricity, natural gas, LP gas and water. This could be adopted by ordinance without the need for a referendum. Cities use this tax frequently. The maximum levy would be 10 percent, and that would raise $15.5 million annually.

“Staff is not recommending any of these,” Lewis said.  

The BRT route would follow the old Seminole Gulf Railroad roadbed to Orange Avenue, then divert to the downtown bus transfer station, and then tie into U.S. 41 down to Siesta Drive. The 8.7-mile route could handle near 3,000 daily riders, said County Transporation Manager Tony Beckford. Buses would come every 10 minutes during rush hour, and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours. 

Commission Chair Nora Patterson urged staffers to talk with Manatee County. “The BRT doesn’t make long-term sense unless Manatee County is doing the same.” The two counties do cooperate on transit, using a common fare card system and jointly operating a route connecting Sarasota with Bradenton. 

Commissioner Joe Barbetta said, “It’s imperitive to get the city [of Sarasota] to the table. Their land-use decisions [along the BRT route] are critical to the success of this program.”

Last month during a joint city-county meeting, Sarasota City Commissioner Paul Caragiulo said, “I want to discuss the potential of another joint meeting on transportation issues, SCAT, the BRT, the downtown circulator. Is there any concensus?”

City and county commissioners agreed. On Monday commissioners said they would hold their workshop first, in late January or early February, and then meet with the city once the details began to firm up.