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Original SCF investigations and the outside coverage that corroborates them — every story tied to the public record.

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Smith vs. Sargent: The Tale of the Tape — District 2 Sarasota County Commission Primary

Sarasota County added $876 million in new spending and debt in three years. District 2 Commissioner Mark Smith voted for all of it. The audited record — and the challenger who says she'll audit every dollar.

SCF InvestigationJul 3, 2026

Featured Investigation

The Investigation

◆ SCFINVESTIGATIONJul 10, 2026

The $876 Million Man

Source: Local Government Accountability

Joe Neunder ran as a fiscal conservative with no ties to developers. We read every budget, every vote, and every campaign check. Here is what the public record actually says.

The Commission Investigations· District 2 & 4

District 2

Smith vs. Sargent: The Tale of the Tape — District 2 Sarasota County Commission Primary

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District 4

You Can't Afford Sarasota Anymore. Joe Neunder's Votes Cost Your Family $7,189. — District 4 Primary

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Latest Investigations

Original Reporting

Neunder & SmithINVESTIGATION

$876 MILLION IN NEW OBLIGATIONS EXPOSED: The Biggest Spending Explosion in the Modern Record

Mar 30, 2026

NeunderEDITORIAL

Joe Neunder Promised Small Government. The Record Shows the Opposite.

Mar 30, 2026

Neunder & SmithBY THE NUMBERS

$79 a Second: What County Government Costs You

Jun 9, 2026

Outside Press

Other media, for reference

Sarasota Herald-TribuneTHEY HELD THE RATE. THE BILL STILL WENT UP.Jun 11, 2026 · EDITORIAL

Sarasota Herald-Tribune$15M FOR A DEVELOPER'S ROAD — UNANIMOUSJan 14, 2026 · Archival · on file

Your ObserverMark Smith won by 373 votes — then helped approve a $2.52 billion budget.Sep 30, 2025 · BY THE NUMBERS Suncoast SearchlightOne full-time job no longer covers a two-bedroom in Sarasota County.Aug 7, 2025 · BY THE NUMBERS Sarasota Herald-TribuneTHE GRAVY TRAIN IS OVER — SAYS A COMMISSIONERJul 31, 2025 · EDITORIAL

Sarasota Herald-Tribune373 VOTES — NOW $876M LATERNov 8, 2022 · Archival · on file

Local Government AccountabilityWhat Joe Neunder Cost Your FamilyJul 10, 2026 · INVESTIGATION Local Government AccountabilityWhat Mark Smith Cost Your FamilyJul 10, 2026 · INVESTIGATION

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