Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran took office in 2024 promising fiscal discipline. Records reviewed this month show his office’s monthly spending has climbed more than 50% compared to his predecessor, with double-digit budget increase requests two years in a row. More than $500,000 has gone to consultants, lobbyists and a public relations firm, including $96,000 a year for Google review generation. Travel costs have nearly doubled, $38,939 went to employee uniforms, and about $678,000 landed in a new “special pay” category.
There’s more than spending on the ledger. The Florida Auditor General found Moran received a $100,767 payment from the Florida PACE Funding Agency that violated state law. He also withheld over $2 million from a voter-approved school tax, prompting a lawsuit and a new state law restricting the practice. Fellow tax collectors Anne Gannon and Mike Fasano have publicly questioned the outlays. Moran defends the spending as necessary for technology and customer service, and no criminal charges have been filed.
For Suncoast homeowners, the timing stings. County budgets are already tight, Amendment 3 on the November ballot could cut property tax revenue further, and constitutional officers are being asked to keep budget increases under 2%. If you own property in Sarasota County, this office handles your money. What would you want to ask Mike Moran directly? Drop your question in the comments.
