Jan 3, 2025 ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW – Pt. 2 July: Property values rise again in reports released to meet state’s July 1 deadline Neunder and Rainford lead charge to eliminate Embracing Our Differences, Sarasota Chalk Festival and WSLR’s Fogartyville concerts from arts grants list for 2025 funding Sarasota City Commission to continue paying Battie’s legal fees in defamation case through 12th Judicial Circuit Court process Requested adjustments for construction of 327-foot-tall tower at 1260 N. Palm Ave. tweaked again in new materials project team submits to City of Sarasota staff Pilot jail diversion program to be reconstituted into permanent initiative for those with substance abuse and behavioral issues, thanks to opioid settlement money coming to Sarasota County August: Sarasota County experiences highest Tropical Storm Debby rainfall amount of all Florida counties, according to state (free) More than 6 millions of gallons of raw sewage flows to Sarasota Bay after tropical storm overwhelms City of Sarasota wastewater treatment plant County’s Public Works staff trying to pinpoint problems that produced severe flooding in Laurel Meadows Knight easily wins Republican Primary for District 3 seat on County Commission, while Mast defeats Coe in District 1 race National Weather Service predictions for Sarasota County rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby, which guided Emergency Management actions, highly inaccurate, County Commission hears Sarasota County fire assessments set to go up another 15% for 2025 fiscal year (free) September: Open waters of Sarasota Bay from Siesta Drive to Venice Inlet unsafe for water recreation, based on fecal bacteria counts, executive director of Sarasota Bay Estuary Program warns (free) On 4-1 vote, County Commission approves resolution opposing Amendment 4 on Nov. 5 ballot With concerns about potential effects, County Commission declines to act on proposed amendments involving voluntary demolition and reconstruction of Siesta condo complexes Wastewater fees going up 8.24% on Oct. 11 for customers in unincorporated Sarasota County On 4-1 vote, County Commission approves 122-unit apartment complex between University Parkway and Desoto Acres, in spite of staff’s recommendation for denial of application October: Senior employee with City of Sarasota interested in interim manager’s position, Human Resources director tells commissioners Hurricane Milton damage in unincorporated Sarasota County estimated at more than $331 million (free) Obsidian wins city staff approval Congressman Steube urges Corps of Engineers to make permanent the restoration of Midnight Pass on Siesta Key, with hurricanes having created new channels On 3-2 vote, County Commission approves $300,000 grant for Early Learning Coalition November: Circuit Court judge clears way for construction of 112-room hotel on Siesta Key, near public beach ‘Population growth/new development’ remains most important issue facing Sarasota County, latest Citizen Opinion Survey shows Moran to succeed Ford-Coates as tax collector, while Knight easily wins County Commission seat and Ohlrich beats Arroyo in City Commission race EPA seeking public comments on modified ‘fish farm’ permit for facility planned off Sarasota County coast Once again, judge rules for Sarasota City Commissioner Battie in Franklin’s defamation litigation County customers receiving postcards with details about size selection for new automated garbage carts (free) December: Decrying proposal to remove 14 Grand Trees from development site within Fruitville Initiative, County Commission agrees to continue hearing on 390-unit residential community City Planning Board agrees on 3-2 vote that Bay Plaza residents are aggrieved party and therefore have right to appeal city staff approval of 1260 N. Palm Residences project Jan. 21 County Commission workshop on flooding produced by Tropical Storm Debby to focus on consultant’s and staff research into reasons behind devastation in specific areas Unanimously agreeing on need to protect Myakka River, County Commission denies variance for two seawalls at Diocese of Venice retreat
