30 Dec 2022

ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW – Pt. 1


January:

Siesta Key incorporation effort fails on 3-3 vote by members of Sarasota County Legislative Delegation


County terminates contract with Miami company hired to handle sewer pipeline project on Beneva Road and Bahia Vista Street


Conservation easement over Bobby Jones Golf Club and contract for restoration of Donald Ross course win City Commission approval


With Mayor Arroyo voting ‘No,’ city commissioners refuse to settle lawsuit by selling property associated with Paul Thorpe Jr. Park


Tourism records fall in 2021 fiscal year, county’s Tourist Development Council members learn


February:

Brody files this week as Democratic candidate for County Commission District 2 seat held by Ziegler


Political action committee linked to Republican activists in Tallahassee trying to sway Sarasota County voters ahead of March 8 Single-Member Districts referendum


Developer of Lakewood Ranch to work with Sarasota County staff on new type of 2050 Plan development with streamlined planning process


Land swap with Benderson Development wins County Commission support, with new Administration Center to be built on property off Fruitville


Siesta resident takes second approach in challenging County Commission approval of hotel on Calle Miramar


March:

 

No significant changes in wave energy affecting Siesta Key found in aftermath of Lido Beach Renourishment Project, Army Corps of Engineers says


Final flat segment of Legacy Trail North Extension opens two years and nine months ahead of original schedule


57% of county voters support keeping Single-Member Districts voting method for county commissioners


Holderness’ shielding of agreement with buyer of 99 Beach Road property factors into Special Magistrate’s siding with County Commission in denial of house plans seaward of North Beach Road


Revised City of Sarasota tree ordinance wins support on 4-1 commission vote, with mayor in minority


April:

 

On 4-1 vote, Sarasota city commissioners agree to keep current form of government, instead of asking voters to decide on electing mayor for four years


With 3-2 vote, City Commission approves agreement with Van Wezel Foundation for new Sarasota Performing Arts Center


County commissioners commit $25 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act money to construction of close to 700 affordable housing units countywide


After changing timing of April 12 discussion, County Commission votes unanimously to end economic incentive grants for job creation


$79 surcharge on tickets to performances projected to enable City of Sarasota to pay for new performing arts center, CPA who was auditor for Broadway’s Shubert Theatre finds in analysis


May:

 

Sarasota County leaders celebrate official opening of South County Courthouse in Venice


County commissioners fully in support of $20 million allocation for Benderson Park boathouse/indoor sports complex, with funding to come out of ‘bed tax’ revenue


With height bonuses removed, City Commission votes 4-1 to transmit attainable housing proposals to state officials for formal review


$5.95-million settlement approved between Sarasota County and former Southside Elementary teacher


New county Enterprise Information Technology office building and data center, plus employee health facility, to be built on Southwest Quad near Celery Fields


June:

 

Shooting on Siesta Key Beach sends one female victim to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries


On split vote, County Commission keeps Local Business Tax in place


Holderness seeking $4.8 million from Sarasota County for property located seaward of North Beach Road to settle two lawsuits he filed against county


Sheriff’s Office adding 19 new positions in budget for 2023 fiscal year, including four new deputies to handle residential growth in eastern part of county


Frances Carlton Condominium in downtown Sarasota first in city to undergo detailed inspection that new state law requires for older complexes