The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Community Connections  is a very nicely done electronic newsletter that goes out weekly. Oddly, the County does not post it on a blog or site where one could link to it. If you wish to sign up to receive it, go here. Here are excerpts of this week's mailing: County partners with EPA's WaterSense program  Sarasota County has joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WaterSense program to help consumers save water for future generations and reduce utility bill costs. WaterSense reduces indoor and outdoor water use through water-efficient products and simple water-saving practices. The program encourages customers to look for WaterSense labeled products, which have been independently certified for efficiency and performance, and promotes water-saving techniques that reduce stress on water systems and the environment. (MORE) == Mobile health services offered at 15 county sites in July    The Sarasota County Health Department's Hea...

Paperwork from the County indicates that Lake Sarasota residents have the option of choosing 3% financing to cover the "water capacity fee." If you do the math, that 3% figure may seem misleading. Essentially, it's 240 payments of $15.09 over 20 years. If one paid 0% interest, the payments would be $11.33. Over 20 years, the total paid is $3621.60. If paid in full up front, the total is $2720. So the cost of financing the bill in actual dollars is 33% more. Was this a misprint in the describing documents? No, it's the result as figured with the compound interest calculator used by the county utility. And according to the utility, it's accurate, the math is right. The point? Always do the math for yourself, so you know what's what. "3%" sounds pretty low - and financing might still be the way to go. But it seems wise to know how much it's costing in actual George Washingtons.

A resident of Lake Sarasota asks: I would like to know if anyone in Lake Sarasota is weary of the high priced water bills? As a single male, my water bill is never less than $50.00 per month. Water is not a luxury, it is a necessity. I have talked with someone else who has a family where their water bill is in the hundreds. After paying an enormous amount about 3 weeks ago, I have another bill nearly $60.00 I would like to know if we can organize a petition. I believe anything would help when finances are so strained with so many foreclosures here in our own neighborhood. The county liason replied to an email asking about the rates: I have not heard this from other groups (i.e. Nokomis water lines customers). A petition won't influence water rates. They are adopted by the BCC and are the same for everyone. In other words, there are uniform water rates throughout the county for all our customers. Conservation and efficient use of this precious resource is the only wa...