Sarasota County, Florida
FACT 22 OF 28
VERIFIEDOne city CUT its debt in HALF. The county grew its own 76%.
−50.9%
North Port's total debt, FY2021–FY2024 — the county's rose 76.4%
While North Port halved its debt, Neunder and Smith voted for every county bond that pushed county debt up 76%.
SarasotaCountyFacts.org
Follow the Money. Know the Truth.
See the detailed breakdown
Debt per resident, most recent audited year
North Port
$446
per resident — total debt CUT ~51% ($84.0M → $41.2M). Charter requires voter approval for any debt.
Sarasota County
$2,838
per served resident — debt UP 76% ($629.8M → $1.11B). No referendum required or held.
Same county. Same economy. Same years. One asked its voters.
Source: North Port ACFR FY2021 (Note H) & FY2024 (Schedule 14); County ACFR FY2025; City of North Port charter