[{"_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",6474396,"mediaKeyId","5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36","parentId",5740105,"title","Votes at a glance: Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approve consent items, utility bonds, budget amendments and settlement","audioSeconds",867,"startMs",848000,"endMs",1715000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36&start=848&end=1715","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36/thumbnail_848000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474396/Sarasota-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Sarasota-County-commissioners-unanimously-approve-consent-items-utility-bonds-budget-amendments-and-settlement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474396-bfb326014f75e949f794330ac755be21/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421184&Signature=dxYzzSPSwUgoM-aA7Rvk7Sj4V0IfzRQW-0p15XqknqnO5D2wZIaHjFFlwRSvegn7I9wvSD5xcyWwdnkKBtDY0d5x1KTS8kC0Xd1TNdJJ-wQqt-tiPsU9Xn2fQ-awwn5hi7--VS9O5TBrwKGH63A-eTsG2wLIQnOUQ9LMdy5x-sC0M78jV3dhKO63fE856ICkNWovdrVJ4t66kTg4sR7f6XxWJq0mgXnNGJBMO9qrEFht1GlXgoqbXa3R8GjtX6A9k-5ZGnSqvQ8BQ4zXwtt6fnmK-YFz9sVqE-Eci4qESKTW0XSHpMyEfpap5DfwP4grA3NV-saqnghT70xzqAN-KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sarasota County","date","2025-09-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a series of routine and substantive items by unanimous votes, including a correction to a consent parcel acreage, authorization for utility revenue bonds to fund a wastewater facility expansion in Venice Gardens, budget amendments and a proposed settlement.

Key votes (all recorded as passing unanimously):
- Consent agenda: Items 2 through 25 were approved in a single motion. The board pulled item 9 for a correction; staff noted the parcel referenced in 9C was listed as approximately 5 acres but is approximately 1 acre in the purchase and sale agreement and other packet documents. The board approved the corrected motion to reflect 1 acre.
- Sarasota County Transportation Authority: Consent items 26A and 26B were approved; item 26C was approved separately when the board reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.
- Tax collector budget amendment (agenda item 29): The board adopted Resolution B2025‑64 amending the fiscal year 2025 budget to appropriate funds per the Department of Revenue’s approved amendments; commissioners characterized the action as ministerial.
- Utility bonds and Venice Gardens capital project (agenda item 30): The board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of up to $158,000,000 in utility system revenue bonds to finance construction of the Venice Gardens water reclamation facility expansion and conversion to advanced wastewater treatment, and approved a budget amendment (B2025‑60) to appropriate $69,945,570 for the capital project; the board also authorized supplements to original tax certificates on prior utility bond series.
- Settlement (agenda item 33): The board approved the proposed settlement in Princess Varai Wood v. Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners as presented by the county attorney.

Why it matters: The bond authorization and budget amendment enable financing and appropriation for the Venice Gardens wastewater improvements; the tax collector budget amendment reflected Department of Revenue changes and does not confer new policy discretion. The corrected acreage in consent item 9 clarified a scrivener’s error in the agenda packet.

Vote records and procedural notes: Where roll‑call recording was not given, the board verbally signified unanimous approval with the chair voting aye alongside commissioners. Motions and seconds are recorded in the meeting transcript where available. The county attorney advised the board on the acreage correction and staff described the tax collector action as ministerial because it follows DOR approval.

Actions list (summary): Each action below lists the motion, mover/second when named in the public record and the recorded tally.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sarasota County - BCC-Consent / Discussion / Public Hearings","oneSentenceSummary","The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a series of routine and substantive items by unanimous votes, including a correction to a land parcel acreage, utility bond authorization for a Venice Gardens wastewater project, budget amendments and a proposed settlement.","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},6474401,"County says Hermitage campus restoration will take time; design, permitting may push reopening into late 2026",442,1798000,2240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36&start=1798&end=2240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36/thumbnail_1798000.jpg","/articles/6474401/Sarasota-County/Florida/County-says-Hermitage-campus-restoration-will-take-time-design-permitting-may-push-reopening-into-late-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474401-ecefb3816de406f4e060038e79b98c12/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421184&Signature=QjQHTahhucLqbXf16HArVPJoaBeuYnx9fnC7dPwvJXbPlB4yBWnoaN0K9SET-id-DPVmgXl1wafqQpCpWPiHrWVB7CJyMhCeyEhZ07Fprza5x~m6VgE13RNjxBAfhOrwAOda013DG7jegCgRM80pwSHjK4PFYeGyDA-sY~CeETr9B4jwZaRyDl63fi~znGd5eEP2o0HN-SOckQ--QcIYFYCUI9oiYByKzPMm~~zc8iz5B7iVnb8fayprjo~rHa-JwZw5le6YUsM8FkrPTGmrYw-sbxFhbg7TH8NgswAzEVEY9Bsm1~cXwRxBnfGSIiZ~1BnyFeTJXT3CctbaEMm~pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nicole Rizzler, director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, told the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that damage from the 2024 hurricanes left multiple Hermitage buildings with about four feet of saltwater intrusion and that permanent repairs require extensive design, engineering and permitting because the campus lies seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rizzler said the county received proposals from a design‑build contractor and is meeting with the firm and with grant and FEMA staff to develop contract amendments and a permitting timeline. She told the board that construction costs had not been included with the initial proposals because the county must complete design, engineering and permitting first; staff estimate it may be a year from contract amendment to construction start, and they do not expect full campus restoration for operation before late 2026.

Rizzler also said county staff have documented more than 10 prior instances since February 2021 in which the Hermitage or entities associated with the site performed work without required permits or approvals. During a site visit staff observed recent unauthorized uses, including temporary electrical wiring and solar panels affixed in ways that may be inconsistent with historic‑resource requirements, and post‑storm sand movement that was not surveyed or graded.

Why it matters: The Hermitage is a historically designated, beachfront cultural asset and its condition affects public access, county recovery funds and potential FEMA reimbursement. Rizzler said the county is prioritizing mitigation steps designed to preserve structures and to maintain eligibility for federal funding by reducing future repetitive losses.

What the county will do next: Staff plan to proceed with full campus restoration unless the board directs otherwise; they will complete design and permitting, continue meetings with the contractor and FEMA experts, order appraisals and a land‑use analysis, and bring a fuller presentation back to the board in October. Staff also said they will investigate newly observed unauthorized activity and pursue an acceptable resolution with the Hermitage representatives.

Quotes and context: Rizzler told commissioners, “Complete campus restoration time line is still unclear... we do not believe it's likely that the campus will be fully restored for operation until late 2026.” She said mandated design and engineering work are needed to address drainage, electrical conduit replacement and mitigation to reduce the risk of repetitive FEMA losses.

Limitation: Rizzler and staff said restoration timing depends on state and local permitting and historical approvals and that cost estimates will come after design and permitting work is completed.","Parks director Nicole Rizzler told commissioners the Hermitage campus on a barrier island sustained severe saltwater damage and will require full design, engineering and permitting before restoration; staff said full reopening is unlikely before late 2026 and reported repeated unauthorized work by the Hermitage.",{"_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},6474406,"County approves agenda for October affordable‑housing workshop, adds focus on obstacles",452,1054000,1506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36&start=1054&end=1506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36/thumbnail_1054000.jpg","/articles/6474406/Sarasota-County/Florida/County-approves-agenda-for-October-affordablehousing-workshop-adds-focus-on-obstacles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474406-87df3d6227e9f7c05895eacc271b09e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421184&Signature=GQob6LtSms6Eor8ylkaa4NZU~KE9ukUHBon5Ry-6Uj8xHatg1CzuE0e7HVCanyJYyCs4baIPggxqe0-UpoqGHStbc4-Nfj0QanGK3e-zwi0XavrwhGzkS4ric95LWe97qJ-b-qY5EzAyUG6Mz7XzSlHwDV-Us16iaXwqcqOx6vkEmqnQ-89DFSm86Scf0BsD6gds938LiYZTbw8LU9gzS-566FFERW4CMU~YWy5KbGt6jep97nIcikeTTmnm~5UyODsYT1N5Weq6wZvVYkW1lbpFsb9g0Tp4BunG-Ww4AXs1nF67jSi4Qh06oufEMNPibyVJtNAVFpmVqoYizXqu-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday finalized the agenda for an Affordable Housing Workshop set for Oct. 7 at the Venice Community Center, adding a specific session on obstacles, challenges and opportunities for local affordable‑housing development and directing staff to include updates from the recent legislative session on the Live Local Act.

Mattis Drought, director of the Planning and Development Services Department, reviewed the proposed workshop agenda and a list of subject‑matter experts and organizations the board had previously asked to be given preferred seating in the conversation. The agenda topics include local demographic context, current regulatory incentives such as accessory dwelling unit rules and reduced parking requirements, county‑owned property that could be leveraged for projects, funding strategies and recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

Commissioner Mass moved to adopt the agenda with the additional item on obstacles, challenges and opportunities; Commissioner Smith seconded. The board approved the motion unanimously.

Why it matters: Commissioners said they want a structured, evidence‑based discussion with developers, nonprofit partners and lenders to identify barriers the county can address, and to ensure the board and invited stakeholders fully understand changes in state law that could influence local policy and permitting.

What the board asked staff to do: Commissioners asked staff to secure the invited experts, include a clear presentation on the Live Local Act and its recent changes, provide a funding overview from county finance staff, and present Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommendations. The board set the workshop for Oct. 7 at 9 a.m.

Quotes: Drought summarized the purpose of the workshop and the invited participants; Commissioner Mass said, “I move that we take it with the recommendations of what the agenda item is with the additional item of obstacles, challenges, and opportunities to be added.”

Next steps: Staff will finalize invitations and report back on confirmations; the county administrator said most invitees had confirmed in the prior two days and staff would continue outreach.","Sarasota County commissioners finalized the agenda and guest list for an Oct. 7 Affordable Housing Workshop, adding a requested session on obstacles, challenges and opportunities and asking staff to include recent changes to the Live Local Act.",{"_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},6474410,"Sarasota officials outline monitoring, emergency triggers to keep Midnight Pass open",5396,3364000,8760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36&start=3364&end=8760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5740105-9ef4ca67f02ce69ccd04fa98f5b35b36/thumbnail_3364000.jpg","/articles/6474410/Sarasota-County/Florida/Sarasota-officials-outline-monitoring-emergency-triggers-to-keep-Midnight-Pass-open","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474410-2ee22e06877ef8c7d0550d0e9b4774d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770421184&Signature=ckI3vxrRZISOA--UQXwqkYUDMxc5fW1yFH0tYQyFWscxymOmbdc6iZmA5iHAEwc1~AV5p55uAuhdfSrLVwStptXqnxyRYBFP0VsdDyjVpr~Mj3WcckwP~1qSjUa~seQEY5iXcSs2kf8uiqo7b03ZxBhj4jGNKJSV~EGXgs4DwHUFgX8yGE~1AvAKCPokejBVcOvhgGY-huL3-QxDFpbhqjlGGGH84eM~OrhF6p~SEg93db06q8H35rMegk~tPT3-KcswlPdRB~O-HooX4IU7LwijFiFGGDFEfKMCvP9SkgP0gS3qPLMBV879I3qwWbLuWaxPeCbbrVZ7ygwC1pWeGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarasota County officials said Wednesday that the storm‑created Midnight Pass has remained open since October and that monitoring and modeling so far show a generally favorable trend, but they outlined specific triggers that would prompt emergency action if the inlet begins to close.

The county’s hydrodynamics consultant, Dr. Mike Jenkins of ATM Geosyntec, told the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners that the inlet “has remained open post Milton and is exhibiting behavior consistent with an evolving, unstabilized coastal inlet.” Jenkins said weekly surveys and recent current measurements show the inlet’s cross‑section and tidal flows have generally increased since a January low and that peak flows measured in August reached roughly 120 cubic meters per second.

County staff and consultants said the monitoring program is focused on whether the inlet will remain open, and on providing data to regional models and to state regulators. Commissioners and staff described three formal “triggers” that could prompt an emergency response if the pass begins to close: the inlet throat shrinking toward roughly 500 square feet, a rapid northward migration of the deepest channel centerline, or an abrupt storm‑driven closure.

The board’s staff said the county has been collecting cross‑section profiles since late October and is doing repeated current and tidal‑prism measurements at multiple locations. Jenkins summarized work to update regional hydrodynamic models to reflect the new inlet and showed an animation the county said indicates increased water exchange across the bay system since the pass opened.

Why it matters: Midnight Pass has been a long‑running local priority because an open inlet changes tidal exchange, navigation and local water quality. County staff said the state is engaged and that the county has already sought cost‑share funding for ongoing monitoring and management.

What officials plan next: Staff recommended continuing weekly profile surveys, repeating current measurements, updating models, sharing data with academic and nongovernmental partners, and keeping open lines with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Jenkins and staff advised that a formal inlet management plan under Florida rules would be a multiyear permitting effort and only be triggered if the county pursued corrective construction such as jetties or permitted dredging. In the shorter term, the county described the option to pursue a narrowly limited emergency action under a board emergency order — done in consultation with DEP — if the inlet showed signs of imminent closure.

Commissioners asked staff to expand planning for related community needs, including signage, safety outreach and seagrass protection as the inlet and adjacent shallow areas evolve. Commissioners and staff also agreed to pursue public engagement (town hall/forum) so residents can hear technical findings and ask questions.

Quotes and context: Dr. Mike Jenkins, the county’s engineering consultant, summarized the monitoring: “The minimum cross section we observed was in January of 629 square feet. Our maximum cross section we just saw in July was 1,543 [square feet].” County staff added that measured peak flows in August were roughly 120 cubic meters per second — an order of magnitude higher than winter peaks — and that these flows help explain why the inlet has so far remained open.

Limitation and next steps: Jenkins and staff cautioned there are no guarantees — inlets evolve over years and the county is only about 10 months into this new condition — and that long‑term corrective measures would require formal permits and environmental review. For now, county staff said it will continue monitoring, coordinate with DEP and partner organizations, and return to the board if emergency conditions trigger corrective action.","County engineers and consultants told commissioners that the storm‑created Midnight Pass has remained open for nearly a year, is showing signs of stabilizing, and will be monitored weekly; staff described emergency triggers and said long‑term inlet management would require years of permitting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approve consent items, utility bonds, budget amendments and settlement

County says Hermitage campus restoration will take time; design, permitting may push reopening into late 2026

County approves agenda for October affordable‑housing workshop, adds focus on obstacles

Sarasota officials outline monitoring, emergency triggers to keep Midnight Pass open