State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, still lists an “e-fairness” bill as one of his top priorities this year, but acknowledges the tax reform package may not advance in 2019. Still, he says Florida continues to leave $400 million to $600 million uncollected that could go into state coffers.

“The hardest pitch is, this isn’t a tax increase,” Gruters says. “This is just a way to make it convenient to consumers to collect these taxes.”

When consumers buy from Florida retailers over sites like Amazon, they don't get charged a sales tax. But Gruters says that, technically, the buyers owe that tax. Many other states do charge a tax, even if consumers don’t notice that line show up on their bill.

Gruters filed legislation this year that would both set up collections for the sales tax and slash Florida’s business rent tax. The latter tax, charged by Florida alone, has long frustrated economic development officials who say the charge hinders recruitment efforts.

At a town hall held by Gruters Saturday, retailers in the audience thanked Gruters for filing the bill. Many brick-and-mortar companies say online sales have dramatically hurt their revenues, in part because consumers want to purchase goods tax-free.

"Brick and mortar stores are getting crushed," Gruters says. "You see malls going down. It's tough to compete."

But in the conservative state House, there has been little hunger for anything that may feel to consumers like a new tax.

Gruters also serves as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, and he hopes that position allows him to give cover to other Republicans.

“This whole discussion is about how the press frames this debate,” he says. “If they call it a tax increase, we lose. But this is a tax you owe and you are responsible for. This makes a convenience for consumers.” 

Photo by Jacob Ogles

The SRQ community came out in force this past Friday for some sold-out fun and food at the Aloft Hotel—where SRQ celebrated the 2019 Best of SRQ Local Awards. With a courtyard packed to the corners with revelers and partygoers, folks enjoyed not only some of the finest weather this side of the sunset, but select offerings from several of the competition’s winners, such as Duval’s and Element. Beginning with sliders from Patrick’s, tacos from El Toro Bravo and sushi from Jpan, guests washed it down with brews from Calusa, vodka from State Street Eating House and a special single-barrel bourbon courtesy of Mattison’s. Desserts flew fast and thick, including donuts from Five-O Donuts, meringue and donuts from OfKors Bakery, baklava from Zildjian Catering and brownies from The Overton, which also served up cold brew to boost flagging spirits at the end of a long Friday. And for those looking for a healthful pick-me-up between the bar and the dance floor, CROP juice brought more than enough all-natural, cold-pressed goodness for the kind of nightcap that starts the next party off right.

Thanks to all of our voters and sponsors for another successful competition—and a special thanks to all the local vendors and businesses that give SRQ something to party about each year. 

Pictured: The Overton preps caffeinated pick-me-ups and chocolate goodies for the 2019 Best of SRQ Local celebration. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Horizon Mortgage Corporation has led the way in commercial mortgage banking on the West Coast of Florida since 1979. With a milestone of 40 years to celebrate, the Sarasota-based enterprise’s SRQ BrandStory looks back on Horizon Mortgage's humble beginning and its upwinding success as a father-daughter powerhouse—grown to be one of the most trusted and sought-after mortgage lenders in the region. With four decades of building contacts, market insight, operative leverage and customer relations in the financial marketplace, Horizon Mortgage Corporation remains a force as a full-service real estate advisory group at its core. Having developed the ability to secure loans not typical of what most banks offer, which are inclusive of land loans, mezzanine or second mortgage financing, portfolio loans, equity raises, construction financing and more, it continuously pioneers what it means to be a mortgage broker in such a fluctuating and variable market. Horizon’s invaluable capability to close any type of commercial transaction can be ascribed to the unique background and story of President/Founder N.J. Olivieri and daughter Kelly Gilliland, Executive Vice President. Together, they’ve created a collaborative balance in business, using both their strengths to excel as a household name in the industry. From genuine customer service and taking the time to understand every client’s personal and financial situations as well as their goals, to their tireless focus on eliminating risk, and providing intuitive expertise in underwriting both the asset in question, as well as the credibility of the borrower and the marketplace, customers find themselves in caring and capable hands at Horizon Mortgage. 

Read Horizon Mortgage's BrandStory Here

Sarasota Memorial Hospital was named one of the world’s best hospitals this week in a global ranking of hospitals compiled for the first time by Newsweek magazine. SMH was one of six Florida hospitals to make the inaugural list, which spotlights 1,000 hospitals across 11 countries. Newsweek compiled the list in collaboration with global market research and consumer data company Statista Inc. Hospitals were selected based on medical performance indicators that included low mortality, complication and readmission rates, as well as recommendations from medical professionals and patient survey results.

The list includes such renowned academic medical centers as the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic in the United States, Singapore General Hospital and Charité, one of the largest research-based university hospitals in Europe. 

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

RE/MAX Platinum Realty ranked 442 out of 8,229 RE/MAX offices worldwide, according to data from the REAL Trends 500 survey of 2018 production. That places the franchise in the top 5.37% of RE/MAX offices worldwide. With five locations in Sarasota and Manatee counties, RE/MAX Platinum Realty was part of the most productive brand in the survey. For the 9th consecutive year, the RE/MAX network had more brokerages qualify for the REAL Trends 500 than any other brand. In addition to the REAL Trends survey, the RE/MAX network was named in the Top 10 of Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Top Global Franchises Rankings. At No. 7 in the global rankings, RE/MAX rises four spots from No. 11 in 2017 to join McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, Dairy Queen, Dunkin’ Donuts and other household names. 

RE/MAX Platinum Realty

Neal Communities, one of southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilders, reported a robust rebound in homes sales during the first quarter of 2019 with 279 sales in January through March and a record-breaking month with 124 new home company-wide sales in March. With 31 communities spanning from Apollo Beach to Naples, the builder’s three fastest-selling communities in its north division during the first quarter of 2019 included Grand Palm and Milano in Venice and two Parrish communities of Silverleaf and Canoe Creek.

According to the REALTORAssociation of Sarasota and Manatee, the median sales price of single-family homes in the local market is up 5.3 percent, and the number of homes sold is up 4.2 percent. The amount of available inventory in the market is up 13.6 percent from last year with 5.4-month supply of available inventory in the Sarasota County market. Other factors that were likely contributors to March’s record-breaking sales numbers include favorable market conditions, such as positive consumer confidence, low unemployment rates and the lowest mortgage rates in more than a year. 

Neal Communities

Ryan Perrone, the owner/founder of Nautilus Homes, has recently named Brittany Perrone as the firm’s office and marketing manager. Perrone will serve as the initial point of contact for clients, subcontractors and visitors. She will also oversee and implement Nautilus Homes’ marketing initiatives and strategies. In addition, she will design, implement and lead the firm’s marketing strategies. Digital expertise is also part of Perrone’s track record. In her spare time, she owns and operates a socially responsible online boutique that benefits global aid projects worldwide. She is also a student and teacher of yoga and Pilates around Sarasota. 

Nautilus Homes

The law firm of Williams Parker recently hosted an educational seminar for clients and the community regarding the roles, responsibilities and risks of serving as a fiduciary and evaluating the selection of a fiduciary for an estate plan. The event took place at Michael’s on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota with over 70 people in attendance. Topics included the role and selection of a fiduciary for an estate plan; essential duties and responsibilities of a fiduciary, including necessary tasks when administering an estate or trust and deciding how to best invest assets of the estate or trust; tax and accounting matters such as tax obligations and reporting, federal and state tax compliance, and fiduciary accounting and reporting to beneficiaries; as well as issues and challenges that can arise in the context of appointing or serving as a fiduciary.

The firm also recently added Aubrey J. Lynch, a CPA and formerly a principal with CS&L CPAs, as director of fiduciary tax matters. Lynch oversees tax and accounting matters as they relate to the firm’s fiduciary services, facilitating fulfillment of trustee’s duties and responsibilities in coordination with legal counsel. 

Williams Parker