In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Sarasota County commissioners have taken that potential mental health taxing district referendum off the table, at least for a year

SARASOTA COUNTY — Commissioners in January took a step toward addressing the area’s mental health funding deficit by unanimously voting to pursue a voter referendum this fall on a proposed property tax to pay for services.

Shortly afterward, the county began circulating a survey to solicit stakeholder and public input, gauging residents’ support for the idea of a mental health care special taxing district and assessing areas of greatest need.

Now, in light of the coronavirus pandemic, commissioners have taken that idea off the table, at least for a year.

"Timing is everything," said Michael Moran, the County Commission chairman who spearheaded the idea. "And the timing on this couldn’t be any worse."

As COVID-19 and its related shutdowns rip the economy, commissioners were concerned about additional adjustments to property taxes. Existing county programs could also be in jeopardy, commissioners feared.

If the referendum had been approved by voters, the commission would have annually set a property tax rate and controlled distribution of the budget to local service providers.

"It’s a really testy time to raise people’s property taxes," Commissioner Nancy Detert said. "This is almost an act of God, a moment that was totally unpredictable."

Commissioner Al Maio said he was concerned about the potential need to cut existing services to balance the budget, which county leaders are expected to begin doing in May.

"It’s a topic that could possibly bring people out for public participation," County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said. "We want to be careful about that right now."

Another fear was a necessity for extensive public input for the referendum, something almost impossible amid the COVID-19 public health emergency, Commissioner Charles Hines said.

County leaders will begin considering opening up virtual neighborhood workshops at its next meeting on Wednesday. The process, approved on a case-by-case basis, will sunset at the conclusion of the state of emergency.