Unanimous votes cast after initial disagreement over nominations
Following the swearing in of the newly elected Sarasota city commissioners on Nov. 8, initial splits in nominations for mayor and vice mayor ultimately resulted in Liz Alpert continuing for another term as mayor and Commissioner Debbie Trice taking over the position of vice mayor from Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch.
Alpert won her re-election bid by a margin of 53.2% to 46.8% over her District 2 opponent, Ron Kashden of Laurel Park.
(The results remain unofficial, as shown mid-week on the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office website. Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner says in a note on the homepage, “We are currently working to certify and audit the November 5 General Election.”)
Commissioner Kyle Battie who had captured 55.58% of the 5,567 votes cast in District 1, besting challenger Sequoia Felton, to earn a second four-year term on the board, nominated Alpert.
However, new Commissioner Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, who defeated Commissioner Erik Arroyo by winning 52.53% of the 6,497 votes cast in District 3, had nominated Ahearn-Koch for mayor.
Like Ahearn-Koch, Ohlrich has been an advocate for neighborhood interests. During the City Commission campaigns this year, opponents of the three incumbents criticized them for their support from developers and for votes that had been seen as earning developers’ support.
In fact, after Alpert, Battie and Ohlrich completed taking their oaths of office, Alpert refused to take Ohlrich’s hands when Ohlrich extended them to Alpert.
Battie, on the other hand, ended up hugging Ohlrich before the three seated themselves at the dais in the Commission Chambers in City Hall.
In putting Alpert’s name forward for a second. year-long stint as mayor, Battie talked of her having “demonstrated exceptional leadership through unprecedented challenges, including the aftermath of three hurricanes …” He added that her “ability to navigate these disasters, manage recovery efforts and secure vital resources for our community has been crucial to our city’s resilience.”
He also pointed out, “The city is still recovering and rebuilding. Extending the mayor’s term will ensure these issues related to disaster recovery, infrastructure rebuilding, and economic development continue to move forward without interruption.”
Moreover, Battie told Alpert, “I know what it is you have done to navigate these waters during the troubled times, especially during this tumultuous political season.”
“Well, I don’t know what to say,” Alpert responded, appearing to have been taken by surprise by the nomination. “It is very, very touching and very moving,” she said. “As mayor,” Alpert added, “I hadn’t thought of that … You make some good points, that we’ve got a lot in transition right now.”
Still, Alpert pointed out, it would be up to the majority of the commissioners to decide whether she should continue as mayor.
When Ohlrich asked if it would be appropriate for her to speak at that point, City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs noted that no one had seconded Battie’s motion. Alpert ended up doing so.
Then, while expressing her appreciation for Alpert’s “fine work,” not just in her most recent term but in her previous terms on the board, Ohlrich said that because the mayor is a ceremonial role in Sarasota, “I feel it’s important to rotate the position instead of keeping the same person in the role over an extended period of time.”
When Alpert asked whether anyone else wished to offer comments, Commissioner Trice told Alpert, “I was so impressed by your actions during the hurricanes, being out there in the community and being the face of Sarasota on national television that, you know, I do support Commissioner Battie’s position …”
Battie added that Alpert had “handled [herself] with great dignity, grace and poise.”
When Griggs called for the voice vote, all of the board members supported Battie’s motion.
Then Ohlrich nominated Commissioner Ahearn-Koch to serve another term as vice mayor. “It seems consistent with what we’re doing,” keeping both mayor and vice mayor in place, Ohlrich added.
When Griggs asked for a second of the motion, Alpert responded, “I’ll second it for purposes of discussion.”
After Battie asked Alpert whether she wanted to offer any comments on the motion, Alpert said she had planned to nominate Trice for vice mayor. When Trice won her at-large commission seat in 2022, Alpert pointed out, Trice had said she planned to serve only one term. In light of that, Alpert continued, to give Trice an opportunity to hold the mayor’s position before her term ends, Alpert felt Trice first should serve as vice mayor.
(Both Battie and Alpert indicated, nevertheless, that Trice could change her mind about the solitary term.)
“I’m really torn here,” Alpert told her colleagues.
Battie noted that he had planned to nominate Trice, as well.
Alpert ended up withdrawing her second of the motion for Ahearn-Koch to serve as vice mayor and nominated Trice. Then Battie seconded that nomination.
Alpert did note that Ahearn-Koch previously had served as mayor, as well.
When Griggs called for the vote, all of the commissioners approved Trice as vice mayor.
In accord with the provisions of the Sarasota City Charter, the Nov. 8 session was a “statutory meeting.” Such a session is conducted following each election. The new members are sworn in, while outgoing members have the opportunity to offer remarks.