Editor's Note: This is the second installment in a six-part series. Each candidate for Sarasota City Commission was asked to answer identical questions on city issues in advance of the March 10 city election. David Morgan is running in District 2.

What would be the first priority at the start of your new term when you get elected? Bridging the relationship with our County Commission is my first priority. The fractured relationship has the potential to result in the meaningful loss of funding for our parks, the sunset of the downtown CRA and county cooperation with the Bayfront 2020. At present the County is exploring a Bond Referendum to move county services out of the City of Sarasota. Additionally, without county support taxes will more than likely keep increasing.

What past or present Sarasota City Commissioner do you believe you would be most like in terms of how you govern? Danny Bilyeu. Danny was a representative who exhibited characteristics as a great listener, thoughtful, a strong leader skills and he has great hair. As a coalition builder Danny was well respected across party lines and diverse interests groups.

What do you believe should be the city’s next step in terms of handling the homeless issue in Sarasota? The city needs to recognize the difference between vagrancy and true homelessness. The city needs to support proven agencies, such as VIP-ER, Sarasota Police Department, Harvest House and the Sarasota Housing Authority, of which I am chairman of the board. Congress is exploring an additional $300 million in congressional funds for the homeless Continuum of Care grants and another round of VASH (vouchers for our chronically homeless veterans), we need to be competitive and not lose out on this funding. If the city is seriously exploring Housing First, they should call the Sarasota Housing Authority, where we’re actually doing it. As the only candidate that actually worked on these programs, I can bring a positive and practical perspective to the issue.

What is the greatest financial challenge for the city right now and what is the most prudent way to handle it? The city needs to plan for and be opened to exploring balanced development in Downtown and throughout the city. Projects, such as, 1350 main represent a significant portion of our tax base and bringing back the Downtown Resident Overlay District could have a positive impact on our budget, fund some affordable housing projects and transportation. This one project alone brought $3 million towards transportation and affordable housing. We need to diversify and expand our tax base to avoid the necessity of raising taxes.   

What is one change you would like to see in the way city business is conducted today? Coalition building. Coalition building within the city council, coalition building between the city council and non-profits, and coalition building between the city and for-profits partners. It’s important that we leverage all of our resources for the benefit of the city. Perhaps it was best said by Thomas Jefferson, “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.” I certainly believe everyone is here to do what is best for our city.