[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6516617,"mediaKeyId","5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072","parentId",5534647,"title","Votes at a glance: Board authorizes stormwater 'not‑to‑exceed' rate option, ordinance review, TRIM notice and several CIP amendments","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",2532000,"endMs",2621000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072&start=2532&end=2621","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072/thumbnail_2532000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6516617/Sarasota-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-authorizes-stormwater-nottoexceed-rate-option-ordinance-review-TRIM-notice-and-several-CIP-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516617-1a45498dfa5616b7b159726615948f17/orig.mp4?Expires=1775334592&Signature=aJvnihy7ZDjpV2pLaNx4P8LJqysv1lpOqxSk0Ut3pOm581Soj5qbNTsbzHFhRT341nwgbNNu77ppcXHiAAcQO9MrYXPRMQneBlQuYiy4VZ1zEYDyFyMNsRDNxIzRZZi21DiPS3JDj2Cm~bVKlQRuIlcbRDvXiWGaaJzCUVLu-wY5weyXIcFFwX3WmDinTYBtav4M8IAeakhyOhIzz-Rv2ih0d-Puus2L4-xBcTAKbRHnBAVbVFots4O3r5vXf7UOPsQNbaWvPe6EcLuw52-3TtfKNlJl3WqNUOEon54nO1RJCg2vX9hoELc3tGuBNaG4poZhp1MWWLpyXhwCFReygg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sarasota County","date","2025-07-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of County Commissioners took several formal actions during the July 2 meeting. The items below summarize motions, outcomes and short notes about each action. For detailed staff reports, refer to the agenda packet and departmental presentations.

Votes and formal actions (summary)
1) Stormwater assessment: advertise highest (Option F) assessment as a not‑to‑exceed TRIM figure
- Motion: Commissioner Knight (mover) / Commissioner Mast (second).
- Vote: Passed unanimously (4–0; one commissioner temporarily absent).
- Notes: Board directed staff to publish the highest option so the board retains flexibility to lower the final adopted assessment during the budget process; action is procedural to permit lowering later but not raising above the advertised cap.

2) Ordinance review: direct County Administrator and County Attorney to review ordinances related to stormwater and new department creation
- Motion: Commissioner Kutzinger (mover) / Commissioner Knight (second).
- Vote: Passed unanimously (4–0).
- Notes: Staff was asked to produce a comprehensive list of code changes needed to create a separate stormwater department, to match policy intent (definitions of waterways, maintenance categories, assessment authority, etc.), and to return to the board for authorization to advertise code changes (target: August meeting).

3) Non ad valorem assessments: authorize mailing and publishing of notice of public hearing for FY‑26 non ad valorem assessments
- Motion: moved and seconded on the record (mover not specified in public audio).
- Vote: Passed unanimously (4–0).
- Notes: This authorizes publication and mailing of TRIM/assessment notices; the board retains the ability to set final assessment levels at the September public hearing and to reduce advertised figures before adoption.

4) CIP / Surtax and budget amendment approvals (agenda item 6A–6E)
- Motions: Board approved a set of resolutions to revise the surtax 3 and surtax 4 project lists (replacement exhibits), to add library renovation/digitization projects to the 5‑year CIP and to adopt a budget amendment to appropriate surtax funding for the newly identified projects.
- Vote: All motions passed unanimously (4–0).
- Notes: Included appropriations for several smaller library and parks projects and the digitization initiative; these items were on the publicly‑adopted surtax project lists but required appropriation to be added to FY‑25/26 CIP programming.

Procedure and next steps
- Staff will advertise the TRIM/not‑to‑exceed rates, and will return with ordinance language, proposed code updates and complete rate analyses for final board decisions in August and at the September public budget hearings.
- The board’s TRIM decision preserves flexibility to lower but not raise the published not‑to‑exceed amounts during the FY‑26 budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sarasota Board of County Commissioners Budget Workshop 4\tJuly 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board voted unanimously to publish a maximum (not‑to‑exceed) stormwater assessment option, directed a formal review of stormwater ordinances to support a new standalone stormwater department, authorized TRIM/assessment mailings, and approved surtax/CIP amendments and a FY‑25 budget amendment.","taxTitle","Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",2880,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516631,"County splits off stormwater department, approves 'not to exceed' stormwater rate to preserve options for waterway dredging program",458,656000,1114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072&start=656&end=1114","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072/thumbnail_656000.jpg","/articles/6516631/Sarasota-County/Florida/County-splits-off-stormwater-department-approves-not-to-exceed-stormwater-rate-to-preserve-options-for-waterway-dredging-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516631-3e8fe1ceffade846d4d9eb4f6dd00a6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775334592&Signature=BReaFjBS6Dx~wopP22L2dB85RMSJo6o2j-Xb3Nt2CzTKqV3s6fcbNlcuJUNqbZB-~u0B0iExFajEye9ws3ZVNBGHsFKBneoMywZYBQN04QbWozou6wdKHuxKXTugLRKJ~JWxwlf7GFSXD6rqnxI8aCIzIv5UM23Wdy3O8nkQno0v1v-rsGlxun2ZI9Ozf8PKXYkJ1J8A5qbBp5kL0vCWaCUvTO3-Nt6AXQAvIEGdaCQXZTnB7OmiZfEDUAKiGI6R-tsKZ4nV-fvQUnxfBj~mdaWfnxnuOAHjxw5mBDrQJyCVMJ48sISfkFjVYluVezHzclWCkWJ4RlbTicKOvjcptA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners directed staff to separate stormwater from Public Works into a new, standalone stormwater department and approved public notice of a ‘not to exceed’ stormwater assessment rate that preserves the board’s flexibility to set the final rate later in the budget process.

The move came after public comment and extensive staff presentations on service levels, possible staffing and equipment increases, and an option that would add a countywide annual waterways maintenance line of about $10 million. Public Works Director Spencer Anderson told the board the county has identified about $90 million already for dredging and coastal maintenance—starting with a multi‑part effort on Phillippi Creek—and that staff is proposing a programmatic dredging budget to cover other coastal streams and creeks going forward.

Why it matters: The board’s direction sets a new organizational structure (a dedicated stormwater department) and signals willingness to consider a larger, countywide waterways maintenance program. Commissioners said they wanted the highest possible notice set for TRIM/trim mailings so the board would have room to reduce the proposed assessment if it chooses, rather than having to restart the TRIM process to raise it.

Key details
- Department separation: Commissioners voted to establish stormwater as a separate county department; County Administrator Jonathan confirmed the job posting for a stormwater director and said staff expected candidate outreach and a status update within days. Commissioner John Smith reported he had contacted a potential interim, Steven Swat, who “is willing to come in and help, on a temporary basis.”
- Not-to-exceed trim option: Public Works presented three assessment scenarios for FY‑26: current level of service; level of service increases excluding waterways; and level of service plus a $10 million/year waterways dredging program. The board voted unanimously to publish the highest (not-to-exceed) figure so the board can lower the final FY‑26 rate before adoption if it chooses. Commissioner Knight moved the motion; Commissioner Mast seconded; the motion passed unanimously.
- Program funding and sources: Anderson said $5 million was approved earlier this year for Phillippi Creek, another proposed $10 million was on the agenda for board action next week to advance Phillippi Creek work out of the stormwater utility fund balance, and an additional $75 million was identified through the Resilient SRQ (Resilient SRQ) federal funds program for coastal work tied to SRQ Resilient initiatives. Anderson characterized the $10 million figure as an early placeholder for a countywide programmatic dredging effort.
- Policy and ordinance updates: Commissioners directed County Administrator and County Attorney staff to review and draft necessary ordinance changes (including definitions of waterways and maintenance, permitting thresholds and other code updates) and return to the board for discussion; staff said an August work session was targeted to present a comprehensive list of needed code changes and recommended policy directions.

Dissent and next steps
Several commissioners urged a careful, basin‑by‑basin policy approach rather than a flat assessment across all customers. Commissioner Kutzinger and others asked staff to explore whether some dredging work could be funded temporarily from Resilient SRQ appropriations while the long‑term assessment and ordinance structure are debated. Staff said next steps include continuing recruitment for a permanent stormwater director, preparing the TRIM notice materials, and returning ordinance language and policy options for the board’s August meeting.

Ending note: The board’s vote preserves flexibility: the published TRIM “not‑to‑exceed” numbers put the public on notice of the maximum proposed assessments, but the board kept authority to set lower final rates during the summer budget process.","The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners voted to make stormwater a separate department and approved publishing a not‑to‑exceed stormwater assessment rate so the board can later reduce the amount if it chooses, while continuing debate over adding a countywide waterways dredging program.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516621,"County staff warns of water and sewer rate increases tied to Peace River purchase and advanced wastewater treatment projects",740,11292000,12032000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072&start=11292&end=12032","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072/thumbnail_11292000.jpg","/articles/6516621/Sarasota-County/Florida/County-staff-warns-of-water-and-sewer-rate-increases-tied-to-Peace-River-purchase-and-advanced-wastewater-treatment-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516621-449389b374551ad18f5ba9151a791178/orig.mp4?Expires=1775334592&Signature=OUu39I8-xKtwJYeyIX2BP1Xm1seFQxUw-ixF1FXV~PPzK373HabulUTctpbxcxMmNKJYBj1i-jm~KZblbklikxRnrMKvFtqYrysPV76P51IAr17z3FtoAWQtO83GIlYg5PaDDBF6CEZWtzd~4ZsKgSNN6wlEzKyaAn5maZ1VdkU3APHr5oKRQTslAg~0MBEwJeD~u6K~3B-1HlWBrmmGZ3ORTtV3Jb-yMG~lcE~MO7eBzTQikrDVJuZb0LerQpXUIqm4b6NGVYo4XiMXgF2-mS0hGjW3EAH3shATOiDkHGDsLSuxX-ZAhQU6wScIR1iyDh4sV93OT0-CQQEc3kawLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarasota County Public Utilities told commissioners the department will seek higher water and wastewater rates in FY‑26 to fund operations, staffing for new advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) facilities, and the county’s estimated share of a regional Peace River water purchase.

Why it matters: The county is moving multiple wastewater facilities to higher‑treatment standards (advanced treatment that approaches potable quality), and Public Utilities said state law requires 24/7 staffing at those facilities. Staff also said the county’s partial participation in a regional Peace River source purchase would add significant long‑term debt service that affects the water rate component of a typical residential bill.

Key items from the presentation
- Advanced wastewater treatment staffing: Public Utilities Director Brooke Bailey said converting the Venice Gardens facility to AWT requires dedicated 24/7 operations and create eight new positions (five operators and three maintenance staff) to meet regulatory requirements. The Bee Ridge and Carlton treatment facilities were also discussed; staff said preventative, on‑site maintenance crews reduce long‑term costs and increase reliability for hardened treatment plants.
- Peace River purchase: Bailey said county staff had been briefed on a regional Peace River water purchase and that preliminary estimates put the county’s share at about $337 million; staff said that purchase would increase the county’s debt service obligations and that the precise county share and GMPs were still pending. Public Utilities staff said the increase would change projected water rate needs through FY‑30 and beyond.
- Proposed rate changes: Public Utilities proposed a wastewater increase of roughly 5% tied in part to AWT startup costs and a water increase in the 6% range (a prior Florida Public Service Commission step of 2.23% is in place for a small component of water rates). Bailey said a typical single‑family home using about 4,000 gallons per month would see a combined water and sewer increase of about $6.30 per month under staff’s current scenario.
- Meter replacement, staffing and equipment: Public Utilities reminded the board of an ongoing advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) meter replacement program and related annual cellular charges for new meters; Bailey said the department is installing cellular meters to allow near‑real‑time leak detection and billing data. Staff also requested additional project‑management resources to oversee large contracts and a communications position to increase public outreach and education about utility changes.

Board discussion and next steps
Commissioners asked about the timing and scale of the Peace River purchase and about alternatives to spreading costs to all customers. Staff said more detail on GMPs and financing would be available in August and that a public hearing and rate adoption would follow the county’s budget timetable if the board approves the advertised TRIM/not‑to‑exceed numbers. Bailey said the Venice Gardens conversion and other AWT projects are expected to move to operation in the coming 12–24 months and that staffing/wear‑and‑tear tradeoffs favor dedicated maintenance crews.

Ending note: Public Utilities linked new treatment requirements and a potential regional source purchase to higher near‑term rates; staff recommended careful public education and work to identify grant and financing options ahead of the August/September budget decisions.","Public Utilities briefed commissioners on staffing and rate implications for upcoming advanced wastewater treatment plants and the county's share of a regional Peace River water purchase. Staff proposed a water increase and a wastewater increase to help cover debt and operations if Peace River acquisition proceeds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6516626,"Sarasota sheriff seeks budget increases for personnel, records system, radios and aviation as county marks public safety priorities",2535,5931000,8466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072&start=5931&end=8466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5534647-ca526d017bc5250d7ff18c1773418072/thumbnail_5931000.jpg","/articles/6516626/Sarasota-County/Florida/Sarasota-sheriff-seeks-budget-increases-for-personnel-records-system-radios-and-aviation-as-county-marks-public-safety-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6516626-4875767ed590ea17b7782fe2bef8b9bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775334592&Signature=b6KAwky20pm9LoqNmOjf2u1Caq3wcy4HjW3DrYvhYc80w9dVGnxmf2IvDR8M8BmfrNZwkWUQRXUAe28Q1t7NQ-RlIvHXLCX149CklFe2M4El9seVpqRkUTZ~h~srfjb3jckn8KofuwLUlgJCZwgRrc8bTzDjM~MVn4j77~4xso7sHI54vfGEJF54944y-IODx-oj1me~5w8mU40Oj3OMLw5dTID4d7pNnAwYqtOJU1aA0Eky1KDyA8a8wj3phDAXEpQQ71WIQ~pGdeZB46p4b5Tk8F2XpVyTqFj1FImUmwbm78GhrHWmd1CXnFEKaAMX8TDmqDmjv2jCvSLEmUWXjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman presented the sheriff’s office FY‑26 budget request to the Board of County Commissioners, citing personnel costs, health insurance and retirement rate increases as major drivers and urging investment in modern records technology, radio replacement and aviation maintenance.

Why it matters: The sheriff framed the request as an investment to sustain recent declines in violent crime and to maintain response capacity as the county’s population and visitor numbers grow. Major items driving FY‑26 costs are health insurance and pension/FRS increases, upgrades to an aging radio fleet, replacement of a long‑running records management system, and recurring aviation maintenance for the county’s helicopters.

What the sheriff asked for
- Personnel and benefits: The sheriff said about 73% of the department’s budget is personnel, and called out large increases for health insurance and FRS (Florida Retirement System) rates that account for a large share of the requested increase. He also described efforts to retain employees via targeted compensation actions and periodic parity adjustments for high‑demand field positions.
- Records, jail and analytics systems: The sheriff said the office needs to replace its 1990s records management system and jail management system, and requested funds for an initial phase of records/jail modernization and a “real‑time information center” to consolidate license‑plate readers, camera and RMS/JMS data for investigations and interagency sharing.
- Motorola radios: The sheriff requested $2.6 million in initial funding for a multi‑year replacement of portable radios; Motorola will sunset support for older radios. The sheriff described the radios’ safety and operational benefits and proposed a multi‑year phase‑in.
- Aviation and operations: The sheriff said aviation is a critical countywide capability and asked for continued funding for routine maintenance, which is costly but widely used for search‑and‑rescue and major incidents.
- New and backfilled positions: The sheriff’s request includes sworn and civilian positions across courts, investigative units, fugitive tasking and traffic enforcement. He emphasized targeted new detective positions (including an investigator dedicated to cold cases and more economic crimes capacity), a court deputy linked to an additional circuit judge, and new traffic enforcement squads to address persistent high crash and fatality counts.

Sheriff’s argument and data
Hoffman said Sarasota ranks among the safest large Florida counties for violent crime and described a 62% reduction in violent crime over a multi‑year period with continued reductions in recent years. He said those gains were the result of sustained, targeted, intelligence‑led and tactical efforts, but that further technology investment (RMS/JMS, LPR data integration) is necessary to keep improving.

Board reaction
Commissioners questioned staffing levels, procurement timing and alternatives. Several commissioners expressed support for a balanced approach combining staffing and technology. The sheriff said his team will continue to search for internal savings and grant revenue while emphasizing that a core portion of the request is driven by fixed costs (pensions, insurance) and vendor timelines (radio support).

Ending note: The sheriff asked the board to weigh long‑term technology upgrades and modest additional staffing against rising fixed costs; the presentation set the stage for budget hearings this summer.","Sheriff Kurt Hoffman presented a FY‑26 budget request driven by rising personnel and benefits costs, replacement of a 1990s records/jail management system, a phased Motorola radio replacement and continued aviation maintenance. The sheriff highlighted falling violent crime and urged investment in technology and staffing to sustain gains.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board authorizes stormwater 'not‑to‑exceed' rate option, ordinance review, TRIM notice and several CIP amendments

County splits off stormwater department, approves 'not to exceed' stormwater rate to preserve options for waterway dredging program

County staff warns of water and sewer rate increases tied to Peace River purchase and advanced wastewater treatment projects

Sarasota sheriff seeks budget increases for personnel, records system, radios and aviation as county marks public safety priorities