24 Dec 2021

ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW – Pt. 1


January:

County Health Department staff urging patience as state provides limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine


Atkins North America wins $274,450 county contract marking first major step in conversion of two more wastewater treatment plants to Advanced Wastewater Treatment status


Brown formally named Sarasota city manager


Benderson Park lost about $19 million in expected economic impact in 2020 because of the novel coronavirus pandemic


DiPino resigns as Sarasota chief of police


February:

Even though Planning staff says proposal does not meet all applicable county criteria, County Commission votes 4-1 to approve a 46-home development between Rim Road and Palmer Boulevard


Formal County Commission approval of budget amendment puts Siesta Village parking space project and Midnight Pass Road/Beach Road roundabout on track to construction


Water quality ‘Playbook’ released by Gulf Coast Community Foundation in effort to improve environmental health of region’s waterways


Another 15,408 residential dwelling units to be needed in Sarasota County within next 10 years, staff projects


Cosentino launches new effort to incorporate Siesta Key


March:

 

Operator of vessel that repeatedly struck 10-year-old Sarasota Youth Sailing student cited for careless operation of vessel on the water


Sandy Cove community on north Siesta Key experiencing significant erosion, just as Army Corps of Engineers’ model predicted if dredging of Big Pass took place


Court of Appeal rules city should pay only $1.4 million instead of close to $50 million to company that originally had contract to build Palm Avenue parking garage, plus adjacent hotel and condominiums


After Sheriff Hoffman requests help with years-old facilities needs, county commissioners offer multiple suggestions but fail to reach consensus


April:

 

County Commission deletes section of County Code that allowed as few as 20 registered voters to submit publicly initiated Comprehensive Plan amendments


Fourth hotel, with 100 rooms, proposed on Siesta Key property where Wells Fargo bank operated


City of Sarasota prevails in Siesta Key Association appeal regarding removal of sand from Big Pass to renourish Lido Key Beach


County commissioners ask Charter Review Board to ‘revisit’ Single-Member Districts Charter amendment and talk, too, about potential of referendum to eliminate it


May:

 

County commissioners move forward with planning for Mental Health Care Special District under their governance, with funding decisions yet to be made


SCAT’s new Mobility on Demand service set to launch in four zones first week of June


New state law raises contribution limit from $200 to $1,000 for persons seeking seats on Sarasota city and county commissions


Neighborhood associations encouraged to join Florida League of Cities initiative on local government control, as legislators ramp up efforts to pre-empt ‘home rule’


SWFWMD Governing Board gives unanimous approval to Bobby Jones Golf Club water quality project


June:

 

With funding plans yet to be determined, the County Commission approves Mental Health Care Special District that it would govern


Development restrictions for Quads win full County Commission support, as Conservation Foundation of Gulf Coast and Sarasota Audubon work on management plans for parcels


On 3-2 vote, County Commission approves eliminating Local Business Tax over three years starting in 2023 fiscal year


Court of Appeal rules against Cosentino in five-year-old North Beach Road case


Hi Hat Ranch development proposal wins full County Commission support, in spite of residents’ objections

 


OPINION (free):

 

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