Government Digest 12/11/09

Mileage rates drop
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mileage rates for 2010 are following lower gas prices down. Motorists using vehicles for business purposes will receive less reimbursement under new limits issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The new rates for business miles driven are 50 cents per mile, down from 55 cents in 2009; 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 24 cents; and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, no change. Taxpayers have the option of calculating actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using standard mileage rates.

Plan amendment deadline
PASCO COUNTY — The deadline for submission of comprehensive plan amendment requests for 2010 is Thursday, Dec. 17. Letters of interest describing proposed amendments and explaining how the amendments further the county's strategic plan should be submitted by the deadline. Applications will be screened by staff and the county commission in January. Completion of the amendment cycle is planned for October 2010. For additional information contact Carol Clarke, executive planner, with the planning and growth management department, at (727) 847-8193, ext. 8419.

Van Wezel subsidy cut
SARASOTA — The city of Sarasota's subsidy to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall dropped 65% during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. The subsidy declined from $1 million during fiscal year 2007-08 to $350,000 in fiscal year 2008-09. Two key reasons cited by the city for the reduction: the number of full-time employees at the Van Wezel has been cut by more than 50% over the past three years; and the Van Wezel Foundation committed $1 million to education programming over four years. Last year and this year, the foundation committed an additional $150,000 per year for education, bussing and Mainstage sponsorships.