
Email Address
Phone Number
941-822-7840
Sign the Petition to get Incorporation on the Ballot for Siesta Key – Click Here
Why Incorporation?
According to our
survey results – 89.6% of SK Residents do not feel represented and 94.9% are
interested in incorporating the island. The same survey confirmed the
community’s biggest concerns are overdevelopment, traffic, and pedestrian
safety.
Siesta Key is a small
fraction of the 440,000 residents of Sarasota County, yet we are a major income
source for the county. As a community, we have stood up to voice our opposition
to decisions being made at the county level and we have not been heard. We have
filled Commission meetings as well as inboxes to express our desires for our
community with zero results. It is time for the Siesta Key Community to have
our own voice.
How much will
incorporation cost property owners?
The .25 mill ad
valorem tax for a property owner in the proposed Town, with the average
property value of $440.602 (don’t forget all those condominiums) and a $50,000
homestead exemption, would be $97.95 per year.
What will happen with
our current services ?
The new town will
enter into new intergovernmental agreements with Sarasota County or negotiate
new service contracts with private providers. These services include mosquito
control, water, garbage and recycling, stormwater, and others. Please refer to
the feasibility study for a more detailed list.
The greatest cost for most municipalities is police service. Currently, the Sarasota County Sheriff provides these services and will continue to provide services for the new town. We received a letter from the Sheriff on August 11, 2021, that stated “…the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide law enforcement services to the incorporated area at current levels of service.” We would not expect an increase in costs unless the community demands an increase over current services.
What about all this
development?
We support the Siesta
Key Coalition who is currently fighting the proposed hotels that will
significantly change the vibe of our island. We may not be able to stop what
has already been approved, but with incorporation, we will have more control on
future proposals. .
What will happen with
zoning and code enforcement?
Currently Sarasota
County provides building inspections, planning, zoning, and code enforcement
services. The intention is to continue these services at the current rate until
the town adopts a comprehensive plan Once a new plan is completed the town will
assume control of planning, reviewing, zoning and code enforcement functions.
Within 2 years of formation, a new town is required to develop a comprehensive
The Siesta Key Overlay District will be a great starting point for our
newly elected officials.
Will the whole island
be incorporated?
Save Siesta Key is
focused on the unincorporated portion of the Island. We are aware that the
small area on the North end of the Siesta Key that sits within the City of
Sarasota has interest in joining the Town once incorporated. It is critical to
our success that we stay focused on the unincorporated area.
Isn’t this another
layer of government?
The people of Siesta
Key will elect government officials who are residents of the Island. With our
own town, you will be heard by decision makers who live right here in our
neighborhoods; people who understand the challenges our community faces. We
hope to see committees of residents and business owners working hand in hand
with the elected leadership to take on the issues that affect us and to ensure
that our island vibe remains.
How does the incorporation proposal weigh against other municipalities of like kind?
Millage and Total Taxable Property Value for Selected FL Municipalities
(Total Taxable Value = Market Value minus Assessment Reductions and Exemptions)
Total Taxable | |||
Siesta Key (proposed) | Sarasota | 0.2500 2022 | $5,774,102,594 2021 |
Estero | Lee | 0.7726 2019 | $6,913,761,445 2020 |
Bonita Springs | Lee | 0.8173 2019 | $11,788,144,518 2020 |
Ft. Myers Beach | Lee | 0.9500 2019 | $3,716,753,191 2020 |
Naples | Collier | 1.1500 2021 | $26,906,819,836 2021 |
Marco Island | Collier | 1.7088 2021 | $11,848,619,361 2021 |
Sanibel | Lee | 1.8922 2019 | $5,417,871,020 2020 |
Anna Maria | Manatee | 2.0500 2019 | $1,200,147,787 2019 |
Longboat | Sarasota/Manatee | 2.1144 2021 | $6,472,621,158 2021 |
Sarasota | Sarasota | 3.1372 2021 | $12,456,717,891 2021 |
Venice | Sarasota | 3.7000 2019 | $4,843,152,349 2021 |
North Port | Sarasota | 3.8735 2019 | $5,772,979,693 2021 |
Ft. Myers | Lee | 8.2500 2019 | $7,792,082,870 2020 |
Millage, Total Taxable Property Value, and Tax Revenue for Selected FL Municipalities
(Total Taxable Value = Market Value minus Assessment Reductions and Exemptions)
(* indicates the municipality pays for their own police department)
Total Taxable | ||||
Siesta Key (proposed) | Sarasota | 0.2500 2022 | $5,774,102,594 2021 | 1,443,526 |
Estero | Lee | 0.7726 2019 | $6,913,761,445 2020 | 5,341,572 |
Bonita Springs | Lee | 0.8173 2019 | $11,788,144,518 2020 | 9,634,451 |
Ft. Myers Beach | Lee | 0.9500 2019 | $3,716,753,191 2020 | 3,530,916 |
Naples | Collier | 1.1500 2021 | $26,906,819,836 2021 | 30,942,843 |
Marco Island | Collier | 1.7088 2021 | $11,848,619,361 2021 | 20,246,921 |
Sanibel | Lee | 1.8922 2019 | $5,417,871,020 2020 | 10,251,696 |
Anna Maria | Manatee | 2.0500 2019 | $1,200,147,787 2019 | 2,460,303 |
Longboat | Sarasota/Manatee | 2.1144 2021 | $6,472,621,158 2021 | 13,685,710 |
Sarasota | Sarasota | 3.1372 2021 | $12,456,717,891 2021 | 39,079,215 |
Venice | Sarasota | 3.7000 2019 | $4,843,152,349 2021 | 17,919,664 |
North Port | Sarasota | 3.8735 2019 | $5,772,979,693 2021 | 22,361,637 |
Ft. Myers | Lee | 8.2500 2019 | $7,792,082,870 2020 | 64,284,684 |
What can I do to help?
Sign up to stay
informed. Link >
Sign a petition, ask
your neighbors to sign petitions spread the word. Link
>
Write your legislative
delegation members and tell them why they should vote yes on incorporation for
Siesta Key. Link >
Take our surveys so we
can hear your voice. Link >
Review our feasibility
study. Link >
Educate yourself and
others on the importance of this topic. This website has an abundance of
education and links to our community meetings. Help us SAVE SIESTA KEY
941-822-7840