The City of Sarasota is around 800-thousand dollars short in its general fund. Now, it looks like taxpayers will have to make up the difference. City Commissioenrs last night gave initial approval to a plan that would raise the city’s tax rate for the first time in four years. The hike amounts to about eight cents per thousand dollars of taxable value. Commissioners say it will free up funds for key projects and avoid deep budget cuts that would trim any more services or employee positions.