Tax collector and election opponent converge at budget workshop

Being a tax collector hardly seems like first prize in a popularity contest, but as an elected countywide position, it actually is. 

The two candidates running for Sarasota County Tax Collector met up during the Sarasota County Commission’s three-day budget workshop June 19-21 with 10-term incumbent Barbara Ford-Coates, a Democrat, sitting opposite Commission Chairman Mike Moran, a Republican, whose second and final term at the dais expires this fall.

Following a polite introduction by Moran, Ford-Coates proceeded to present her fiscal year 2025 budget request, sounding much like the fiscal conservative Moran espouses himself to be, perhaps setting the campaign season stage for a role that is arguably apolitical in nature.

Photo by Petra Rivera

Ford-Coates’ entire presentation highlighted the frugal fashion in which she operates the constitutional department, initially pointing out that the average cost for county tax collectors in Florida is 50% higher than her office, and 120% higher throughout Southwest Florida.

“To put this in perspective, my budget would be $5 million more if I were operating at the state level, and $10 million higher if I were operating at the same rates as other counties in southwest Florida,” she told commissioners.

For fiscal year 2025, Ford-Coates’ budget request is for a 5.9% increase. From just more than $11 million to $11.73 million, that’s an increase of $653,818.

“That consists of a 3.2% increase for continuation if services that I do control, and the remaining 2.7% is from expenses that I do not control including health insurance rates, internal service charges and retirement rates,” she said.

Ford-Coates said over the last 16 years the annual tax collector’s office increases were among the lowest of all county departments even though the office was required by the state to take over driver’s license services, resulting in a workload increase of 30%, and as the population of the county grew by 25%.

The office employs 103 full-time equivalent positions.

“I give full credit for that efficiency to my exceptional staff of over 100 dedicated public servants,” she said. “Because we are able to keep our costs so low, we estimate returning approximately $19 million this year. That represents revenue of $29 million less our expenses.

“If this were the private sector, we would call it profit.”

The office generates revenues from fees to collect property taxes, which amounted to $16.3 million to the county in fiscal year 2023, From that, $1.9 million was paid to the tax office from the county’s general fund.

“With the continued high rate of inflation, keeping our continuation increase at only 3.2% is a testament to the efficiency of my staff,” Ford-Coates said. “Please note that our increase for next year will be more than offset by an increase in revenue of $2 million. 

“I'm happy to answer any questions.”

There were none.