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):
