This piece is editorial, column, or advocacy reporting. Sarasota County Facts cites factual claims where supported; we attribute — and do not adopt — the author's conclusions.
The story
Commissioner Tom Knight's Herald-Tribune column argues Sarasota County and constitutional officers grew accustomed to rising property values, population growth, and federal aid — funding fancy parks, new buildings, and added staff. He notes nearly all officials campaigned as conservative Republicans yet kept spending. The column is Knight's opinion; the vote record tying Neunder and Smith to every adopted budget is public.
Key quotes
“campaigned for office as 'conservative' Republicans”
“increase of more than 56% in the county's budget”
By the numbers
Between FY2022 and FY2025, Sarasota County added $876 million in new spending and debt obligations — Neunder and Smith voted yes on every dollar.
$876 million added to your tab in three years.
From FY2022 through FY2025, neither Neunder nor Smith cast a recorded vote against any budget or bond.
Not one vote against a budget or a bond.
The adopted FY2026 total budget reached $2.52 billion — the largest in the modern record.
The biggest budget in the modern record passed over the only 'no' in the room.