June is National Safety Month. A safe community benefits everyone and promotes a good quality of life. Luckily, there are many ways we can work with our neighbors to foster safe homes, streets, and communities.
Form a neighborhood watch: Start by contacting your police or sheriff's office and the National Crime Prevention Council. They can provide information on crime patterns, safety tips, crime prevention techniques, and Neighborhood Watch signs and window decals.
Going out of town?: When neighbors are away, be sure to keep an eye on their house and help keep it safe by making it look lived in. Ask neighbors who are going on vacation if you can collect their mail and newspaper, make sure fliers are out of sight, put stray lids back on the garbage cans, and put them away after trash day.
Design with purpose: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach for reducing crime through urban and environmental design and the management and use of built environments. CPTED strategies reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, build a sense of community and reduce opportunities for crime and minimize the fear of crime. In practice, CPTED may look like well-trimmed bushes and adequately lit common areas. Email us to learn more about how you can get connected to a CPTED expert.
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To stay safe, neighborhoods must both prevent and prepare. And with hurricane season officially upon us, now is the time to get informed and make a plan. Sarasota County offers tips, resources, and guidance for all residents. Learn about your evacuation level, shelters, how to receive important alerts, and more by clicking the link below.
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Are you or your neighbors interested in learning more about disaster preparedness? Consider forming or participating in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The Sarasota County CERT Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area. CERT members learn to assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. |
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Sarasota County Libraries offer on demand programs, perfect for summer learning or for those looking to have fun while beating the heat. From Storytime reading for kids to STEM Classes to digital tutorials and language lessons, on demand videos are suitable for all! |
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What is a Petition?
A petition is a proposal to modify land use. Petitions are submitted by the property owner, processed by staff, and ultimately approved or denied by the Board of County Commissioners. The Sarasota County Planning and Development Services Department offers a series of interactive maps that allow residents to view petitions in their area. Check out a map by clicking the link below.
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A Trolley Ride Through Time |
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"Sway to its rhythm, tap into the neighborhood’s heartbeat, visit landmarks and meet its courageous trailblazers who built a thriving community. Newtown is a resilient community undergoing revitalization and redevelopment. It has a rich legacy and is located on Florida’s Cultural Coast considered “the cultural center of the southeastern United States." - New Town Alive |
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Newtown Alive is a local organization that celebrates, promotes, and champions the unique past of New Town and Overtown, nestled right here in Sarasota County.
The Neighborhood Services team had the privilege of joining staff from the Florida Department of Health on a New Town Alive Trolley Tour. The tour immersed guests in the rich history and personal stories surrounding black history in Sarasota. This experience is a wonderful way to become inspired by the power of community and its ability to preserve history. Click below to learn more about New Town Alive, its mission, and its trolley tours.
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Who doesn't love a good book? Or a scenic hike? Now, one pass gives you access to both! Florida State Parks are partnering up with the public library system to offer you free park admission to Florida State Parks. There are 175 state parks throughout Florida and two are here in Sarasota County! Click below to learn more. |
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ON NOV. 8, Sarasota County voters will have the opportunity to continue the one-cent sales tax that helps fund local community projects.
WHAT DOES THE ONE-CENT SALES TAX FUND?
Roads, parks, schools, libraries, water quality, environmental and public safety projects.
WHO BENEFITS?
Sarasota County, the cities of Sarasota, North Port and Venice, the Town of Longboat Key, and the School Board.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
- Tourists and visitors contribute more than 20% of the revenue, and every penny is spent right here in Sarasota County.
- Sarasota County voters first authorized this sale tax in 1989 and have extended it twice. Extending it again will continue this revenue source for another 15 years.
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT?
QUESTION NO. 1: Continues funding for LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS through renewal of ONE-CENT sales tax; maintains citizen OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES
- 100% local
- Renews the existing penny
- Visitors contribute
- Citizen oversight
- Transparent and accountable
QUESTION NO. 2: ACCELERATES COMMUNITY PROJECTS through issuance of voter-approved ONE-CENT sales tax bonds
- Saves money, reduces inflation risk
- Starting sooner lowers costs
- Applies only to approved projects
- Bond limit and timeframe
- Voter approval required
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Time to drain the swimming pool? With a little planning, you can do your part to maintain a healthy environment and avoid potential violations:
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Before draining your pool, ensure the amount of chlorine is less than or equal to 0.01 mg/L
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Pool water should not be cloudy or murky. Any solids or particles should be allowed to settle out and not be discharged with the water.
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Ensure the pH is between 6.5 and 8.5.
- Do not discharge on areas recently treated with herbicides or pesticides.
- Direct the discharge of pool water over a vegetated surface so that some level of filtration can occur.
- Control the rate of discharge to avoid erosion and nuisance conditions for neighboring properties.
Please contact Sarasota County Environmental Protection Division staff at 941-861-5000 or email: reportpollution@scgov.net for more information or to report pollution.
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Does your house need repair? New roof? A/C? Plumbing? Electrical? Do you need grab bars in your shower or a ramp leading up to your door? If you own your home and qualify as low-income, you may be eligible for a 0% deferred-payment loan for home repairs.
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