Sarasota County Commission District 3: Neil Rainford

Age: 37

Current occupation: Sarasota County Commissioner, District 3

Resident of Sarasota County: 14 years

What are the three top priorities/issues facing the county, and how should the commission address them?

1. Public Safety. Making sure we fully fund our sheriff and firefighter/EMS so that they have the best personnel and equipment to protect our community. We have worked with Sheriff Kurt Hoffman to re-open the previously closed south county sheriff substation, and we continue to increase services provided at that location. We are working to make sure our firefighter/EMS have a third person on each unit to reduce turnaround times and provide the best outcomes possible. We are also working to pay to make sure we are the most competitive in the area to retain the best talent.
2. Infrastructure. Prioritizing traffic-reducing projects, including moving forward with the four-lane Lorraine Road extension east of the interstate; finishing River Road; and adding Manasota Beach Road to the capital infrastructure projects list to relieve congestion within Wellen Park.
3. Affordability. Moving forward with the largest millage reduction in more than 25 years to put more money back in the taxpayers pocket. We are also working on long-term flood reducing projects to reduce insurance premiums.

Why are you running for office?

It is imperative that we plan the future of South County before we lose its charm and vibrancy to unplanned growth.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed me to make sure all that Sarasota County has to offer and has continually blessed our family with remains intact. My wife and I both are involved with family-owned companies that were started in Sarasota County more than 45 years ago. We believe in servant leadership where we are able to give back our time and efforts to make our community better in the future.

Have you ever run for public office before? If so, for what office?

Yes, I ran successfully in 2018 for the Charter Review Board and then was later appointed to the Sarasota County Planning Commission.

What makes you more qualified than your opponents for this office?

I have worked in the private sector my entire career growing our company from 83 employees to more than 250 employees.

In the private sector, we have budgets, but no one fully funds our budget. Each day we must earn our customers’ support and make difficult decisions to ensure our financial success.

Our success as a company then provides for the 250 families that each of your team members go home to.

My opponent has been a career politician that has already retired three times and has had the benefit of being given taxpayer money in all his roles.

I will make sure your tax dollars go farther and more importantly reduce taxes as much as possible. Gov. DeSantis appointed me and rejected him.

Affordable housing — what can the Sarasota County Commission do to increase the supply of workforce housing?

Affordability is always a concern as we want our children and grandchildren to be able to live here. I started this important work on the planning commission to allow the free market to provide 1/2 dwelling units for young entrepreneurs, nurses, firefighters and sheriffs. I don’t believe government housing is an option and would not be supportive of project style developments.

What is your philosophy toward zoning?

Zoning is how property can be used, and it is important that we protect those rights of the individual landowner and of those adjacent landowners.

Growth — What is your philosophy on how population growth should be addressed in Sarasota County — particularly east of Interstate 75?

Sprawl is never a good thing, and we need to make sure that any growth happens within the urban service corridor where utilities and services exist. The rich heritage of farmlands and large-acre lots east of the interstate are among our greatest features of our community and worth protecting.

Roads/Transportation — What should the County Commission’s strategy be to address the county’s road needs?

I believe, after public safety, infrastructure is the most important priority.

We are currently working on a traffic-reducing project with Lorraine Road and River Road. Previous commissions have put funding to new county building and programs that do not affect our everyday commutes. Since I was appointed by Gov. DeSantis to encourage building new roads, that has been my priority. We need to build these roads prior to any growth.

What is your position on impact fees?

Impact fees are a cost that is ultimately passed on to the end consumer, and therefore we need to make sure that any building is encouraged within the urban service corridor in lieu of far east of the interstate so that our community remains affordable.

What is your position on land acquisition for conservation and preservation?

Our commission has put a huge emphasis on land preservation and conservation. We continue to purchase many additional parcels through our Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program to create nature corridors. I have also individually lobbied to stop development overreach at the Warm Mineral Springs to protect this asset that is very unique to our community.

What is your position on using tax increment financing around the Bay Park to fund 50% of a new performing arts hall?

I believe there are a lot of great benefits of the Bay Park phases already built, especially the improvements to water quality. However, I would not be supportive of any additional tax on our residents.

What grade would you give the County Commission on managing the county’s tax dollars? What needs to be changed in the county fiscal management? 

I would give a B. We have the second lowest millage rate out of 67 counties in Florida, but we should be first. I have called for a millage reduction to the lowest in more than 25 years to put more money back in your pocket. I believe citizens can manage their money better than the government.

Can you identify any area where you think the county’s spending should be cut, or any area where more needs to be spent?

If it’s not imperative for public safety or infrastructure, I will always be looking to reduce or eliminate spending. Of the dollars we plan to spend, traffic reducing projects need to be in focus.

What is your position on the county’s current millage rate — is it satisfactory? Too high? Too low?

I have already called for the lowest millage rate in more than 25 years, and I believe it is achievable. Being fiscally responsible is a necessity in the private sector, and I don’t see why the public sector should be any different.

How would you describe your philosophy on the role of government and on taxation?

Government is there as a stopgap for public safety and infrastructure when it is not able to be done a different way. I believe in the lowest possible taxes, and that government should operate within its means.