Sarasota County Facts

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

14 Investigations/63 Press items/77 total

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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

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

'WE'RE ON A PATH TO DESTRUCTION' — The Commissioner Who Tried to Stop It

Mar 31, 2026

Outside Press

Other media, for reference

Sarasota Herald-TribuneTHEY HELD THE RATE. THE BILL STILL WENT UP.Jun 11, 2026 · EDITORIAL Your ObserverMark Smith won by 373 votes — then helped approve a $2.52 billion budget.Sep 30, 2025 · BY THE NUMBERS Sarasota Herald-TribuneTHE GRAVY TRAIN IS OVER — SAYS A COMMISSIONERJul 31, 2025 · EDITORIAL WWSB ABC7The county's spending is racing ahead of its revenue — by its own projections.Oct 9, 2025 · BY THE NUMBERS

Sarasota Herald-TribuneDeSantis appoints Sarasota real estate attorney, Hi Hat developer to regional water boardSep 3, 2025 · Archival · on file

Florida Trident (Florida Center for Government Accountability)Celebratory photo fuels scrutiny over $7.5M grantApr 22, 2025 · INVESTIGATION Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota County signals it will allow Hi Hat developer to build road through public landApr 11, 2025 · INVESTIGATION

Sarasota Herald-TribuneSarasota County Commission delays latest Lakewood Ranch Southeast expansion voteFeb 27, 2025 · Archival · on file

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