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BCC-Regular April 21, 2026 09:00 a.m. MINUTES BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ROBERT L. ANDERSON ADMINISTRATION CENTER 4000 SOUTH TAMIAMI TRAIL COMMISSION CHAMBER VENICE, FLORIDA Ron Cutsinger, Chair, District 5 Mark Smith, Vice Chair, District 2 Teresa Mast, District 1 Tom Knight, District 3 Joe Neunder, District 4 Also present were: Jonathan Lewis, County Administrator Joshua Moye, County Attorney Karen E. Rushing, Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller Beatrice Patrizi, Deputy Clerk (09:00 a.m.) INVOCATION Office of Financial Management Director Kimberli Radtke (09:01 a.m.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Shaun Rycroft, Petty Officer Third Class, United States Navy (09:01 a.m.) PROCLAMATIONS International Firefighter's Day National Hurricane Preparedness Week National County Government Month Arbor Day (09:29 a.m.) RECOGNITION Tree City USA (09:30 a.m.) 1. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Items submitted: A copy of an image and a copy of a presentation Vicky Eggleston commented on authorizing golf carts on side walks. (See Item 15 later this meeting.) Kelly Bauman, Elva Ring, Tina Haise, and Barbara Heissenbutter commented on East Manasota Beach Road. Michael Holderness, David Smoker, and Bonnie Whisman commented on Siesta Beach Lots, LLC settlements. (See Item 25 later this meeting.) Julie Morris, Carol Hawkins, Miri Hardy, and Jennifer Hawkins commented on Hawkins Ranch. (See Item 19 later this meeting.) Jon Thaxton commented on Hawkins Ranch and Bay Park Conservancy. (See Items 19 and 20 later this meeting.) John Patterson and Shawn Fontana commented on Siesta Key Watersports. (See Item 10 later this meeting.) Phil Secord commented on Centennial Park. Jim Wotowski commented on in-person neighborhood workshops and overdevelopment. Steve Sorrentino commented on the Keyway Road extension. Andre Trotter commented on Breeze Plus. Martin Hyde commented on the County budget. CONSENT SECTION: Chair Cutsinger requested a motion to approve Consent Items 2 through 16 with the exception of 10 and 14. 10:29 a.m. Board Action: So moved. Moved by Smith, seconded by Mast, carried by a 5-0 vote. 2. BREEZE TRANSIT To adopt a resolution repealing and replacing Resolution No. 2026-053, regarding the signing of the Public Transportation Grant Agreements with the Florida Department of Transportation Section 5310 Grant for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, to correct a scrivener’s error. 3. CAPITAL PROJECTS To approve and authorize the County Administrator, or designee, to execute an agreement with AtkinsRealis USA Inc., for engineering services for the Englewood Isles Parkway bridge replacements, in an amount not to exceed $3,059,630.58. 4. CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COUNTY COMPTROLLER To approve the State of Florida Annual Local Government Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025, in accordance with Florida Statute 218.32. 5. COMMISSION SERVICES To ratify the previously issued proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness month. 6. EMERGENCY SERVICES To adopt a resolution approving the allocation of Florida Department of Health annual funds from the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund to Emergency Medical Services and certifying that the Emergency Medical Services County Grant funds received shall be used to improve and expand pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services and not supplant the existing County Emergency Medical Service budget. 7. EMERGENCY SERVICES To approve an affiliation agreement with the EMS Training School, LLC dba School of EMS (SOE) to allow students of SOE to ride on Sarasota County rescue trucks for the clinical portion of the Paramedic Training Programs. 8. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES To approve an agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the continued regulation of water well construction and permitting within Sarasota County, for a five-year term through May 31, 2031. 9. OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT A. To adopt a resolution authorizing the borrowing of an amount not exceeding $2,799,000.00 from the Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program of the Florida Local Government Finance Commission to refinance a portion of the loan previously made to finance costs of the West Dearborn Street Improvement project; B. To adopt a resolution authorizing the borrowing of an amount not exceeding $1,190,000.00 from the Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program of the Florida Local Government Finance Commission to refinance a portion of the loan previously made to finance costs of the West Dearborn Street Low Impact Design and Associated Improvements project; C. To adopt a resolution authorizing the borrowing of an amount not exceeding $582,000.00 from the Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program of the Florida Local Government Finance Commission to refinance a portion of the loan previously made to finance costs of the Fire Station #21 renovation and SCBA project; D. To adopt a resolution authorizing the borrowing of an amount not exceeding $7,913,000.00 from the Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program of the Florida Local Government Finance Commission to refinance a portion of the loan previously made to finance costs of the Fire Station #23 project. (10:30 a.m.) 10. OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT To adopt a resolution authorizing the borrowing of not to exceed $20,770,000.00 from the Pooled Commercial Paper Loan Program of the Florida Local Government Finance Commission to finance costs of the Stickney Point Road Property NPP Land Acquisition and Start-Up project. 10:30 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder moved Item 10 to bring back at the May 5th meeting as a discussion Item. Seconded by Mast, carried by a 5-0 vote. 10:42 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Cutsinger directed Staff to bring back an update with additional detail, and potential design, concept plans and also what are the possibilities, things we discussed about, existing businesses, is there something we can do, to be creative and, again we are dealing with proper procedure, but is there something we can do and so we will look for those options when this comes back. Seconded by Neunder, carried by a 5-0 vote (See Item 1 earlier this meeting.) 11. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES To appoint Ian Michalopoulos to serve a one-year term on the Parks Advisory and Recreation Council (PARC) as the Students Taking Active Roles (STAR) in Government Youth Leader representative, effective through April 2027. 12. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES To approve and authorize the County Administrator, or designee, to execute the term contracts with the following vendors, for the supply and installation of Certified TIFTUF Bermuda Turf Sod on an as-needed basis, for a three-year period, in a total amount not to exceed budgeted funds. a. Sunbelt Sod & Grading Co. b. Greenscape Innovations, Inc. c. Lake Jem Farms, LLC d. Rick Richards Inc. e. Gentry Sod Farms, LLC f. Perez Trucking and Sod Inc. g. Sunshine Sod Commerce LLC dba Sunshine Sod 13. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES To approve a license agreement with 50:10 Ranch L.L.C. for historically significant livestock grazing and public education at Urfer Family Park in the amount of $1.00 per year. 14. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES To approve the relinquishment of County property rights, if any exist, over a parcel along University Parkway to the Board of the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida through execution of a County Deed, finding that the rights, if any exist, are not required by Sarasota County for public use, and authorizing the Chair to execute the County Deed. Note: Item 14 has been deferred to a date uncertain. 15. TRANSPORTATION To authorize a public hearing on an ordinance adding Section 122-172 to the County Code, relating to golf cart operation on specific sidewalk segments. (See Item 1 earlier this meeting.) 16. CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COUNTY COMPTROLLER To ratify and approve the Warrants dated March 23, 2026 through April 03, 2026, in the amount of $92,681,627.41, as detailed in the voucher packages filed in the Finance Department. RECESS : 10:40 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. DISCUSSION SECTION: (10:53 a.m.) 17. STORMWATER A. To appoint one individual to fill an unexpired three-year term on the Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee, as an At-Large representative, effective through August 2026, and an additional three-year term, effective through March 2029; B. To appoint one individual to fill an unexpired three-year term on the Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee, as an At-Large representative, effective through April 2027. Staff Presenter: Watershed Engineering Manager Scott Woodman 10:54 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder nominated Jeffrey Birnbach. 10:54 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger c losed the nominations, without objection. 10:55 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger noted consensus by the Board to appoint Jeffrey Birnbach. 10:56 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder nominated Alexandra Bittle. 10:56 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger c losed the nominations, without objection. 10:56 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger noted consensus by the Board to appoint Alexandra Bittle. (10:56 a.m.) 18. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES To appoint one individual to serve a four-year term on the Sarasota County Planning Commission, effective through August 31, 2029. Staff Presenter: Planning and Development Services Manager Todd Dary 10:57 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder n ominated Randy Boyd. 10:57 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger c losed the nominations, without objection. 10:57 a.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger noted consensus by the Board to appoint Randy Boyd. (10:57 a.m.) 19. PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES To add the Hawkins Ranch site to the County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program Protection Priority List as a new protection priority site and approve the Work Plan for the site. Staff Presenter: Environmental Services Resource Protection Services Environmental Specialist Kim Heuberger 11:02 a.m. Board Action: Commissioner Knight moved to add the Hawkins Ranch site to the County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program Priority List as a new protection priority site and approve the Work Plan for the site. Seconded by Mast, carried by a 5-0 vote. (See Item 1 earlier this meeting.) (11:08 a.m.) 20. ADMINISTRATION To receive an update from the Bay Park Conservancy. Staff Presenters: Deputy County Administrator Steve Botelho and County Administrator Jonathan Lewis Public Presenter: AG Lafley 12:00 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Knight moved that we request to the County Administration to incorporate $ 282,875.00 in fiscal year 2027 Budget to go towards the Bay Conservatory Program. Seconded by Smith, carried by a 5-0 vote. (See Item 1 earlier this meeting.) RECESS : 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: PUBLIC HEARINGS - PRESENTATIONS UPON REQUEST: (01:00 p.m.) 21. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (Public hearing) To adopt Ordinance No. 2026-010, approving Rezone Petition No. 25-21 for property located at 1115 Twin Laurel Boulevard, Nokomis, from CG with stipulations to CG with amended stipulations. 01:00 p.m. Board Action: Closed the public hearing. Closed by Cutsinger, without objection. 01:02 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder moved for approval. Seconded by Knight, carried by a 5-0 vote. (01:01 p.m.) 22. OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT A. (Public hearing) To adopt a resolution relating to the Local Government Infrastructure Sales Tax (Surtax 3) Project List, replacing Thirty-seventh Revised Exhibit A with Thirty-eighth Revised Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 2007-087, to revise the project implementation dates and proceeds among projects; B. (Public hearing) To adopt a resolution, Budget Amendment No. B2026-043, amending the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to incorporate General Fund budget reductions, in the amount of $5,460,000.00. Chair Cutsinger read into the record the text for Item 22. 01:01 p.m. Board Action: Closed the public hearing. Closed by Cutsinger, without objection. 01:02 p.m. Board Action: So moved. Moved by Neunder, seconded by Knight, carried by a 5-0 vote. REPORTS SECTION: (01:02 p.m.) 23. CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND COUNTY COMPTROLLER Filed for Record List. (01:02 p.m.) 24. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Presentation of the quarterly update on the 2026 Policy Agenda. Staff Presenters: Deputy County Administrator Steve Botelho and Assistant County Administrator Brad Johnson (01:06 p.m.) 25. COUNTY ATTORNEY To consider a proposed settlement amendment received from Siesta Beach Lots, LLC. Staff Presenter: County Administrator Jonathan Lewis 01:39 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Knight moved for the County Attorney and County Administrator's Staff to reengage Mr. Holderness and his team and have a dialogue, what they heard here today, and offer another settlement agreement which could potentially be the current agreement we have in front of us. Seconded by Smith, carried by a 5-0 vote. (See Item 1 earlier this meeting.) (01:41 p.m.) 26. COMMISSIONER MAST Staff Presenter: County Attorney Joshua Moye 01:42 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Mast moved to direct Josh Moye to seek an outside land use counsel and the AGO, to provide an opinion regarding Live Local Act with a time certain response from the outside counsel, not the AGO, the outside counsel to have their opinion back to the Board by May 6th Board meeting. Seconded by Cutsinger, carried by a 4-1 vote; Smith voted "No." (01:54 p.m.) 27. COMMISSIONER SMITH Staff Presenter: County Administrator Jonathan Lewis 01:54 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Smith moved to direct to our County Attorney to contact FAC on the position that FAC has on the Live Local Act. Seconded by Neunder, carried by a 5-0 vote. 01:57 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Smith requested a Board assignment directing Staff to see what the County's obligations with regard to the MS4 permit and the maintenance of this particular drainage pipe or other pipes that are similar. Seconded by Neunder, carried by a 5-0 vote. (02:00 p.m.) 28. COMMISSIONER KNIGHT - No report. (02:00 p.m.) 29. COMMISSIONER NEUNDER Commr. Neunder commented on Midnight Pass. Staff Presenter: County Administrator Jonathan Lewis 02:02 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder moved that we put together a Citizenship Advisory Board for budgetary transparency purposes. 02:08 p.m. Board Action: Chair Cutsinger noted consensus of Commissioner Neunder to withdraw his motion. 02:09 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Neunder moved to bring back as a discussion Item, the creation of an ad hoc Budget Review Citizen Committee. Seconded by Smith, carried by a 5-0 vote. (02:09 p.m.) 30. CHAIR CUTSINGER - No report. (02:10 p.m.) 31. ADMINISTRATION Outstanding Board Assignments. Staff Presenter: County Attorney Joshua Moye County Attorney Moye stated that in order to do an AGO opinion we are going to have to have the Chair sign that request, because it has to come from this Board, so if you don't mind doing a motion authorizing the Chair to sign the AGO opinion that would be great, that way we won't have to wait until May 5th '., if you could authorize him to do that now. 02:12 p.m. Board Action: So moved. Moved by Mast, seconded by Neunder, carried by a 5-0 vote. (02:12 p.m.) 32. ADMINISTRATION Board Meeting Schedule. DISCUSSION SECTION: (02:12 p.m.) 33. GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS To receive a workforce development year-end update and evaluation report from CareerEdge Funders Collaborative. Staff Presenter: Governmental Relations Director Rob Lewis Public Presenter: Dan Sidler (02:28 p.m.) 34. EMERGENCY SERVICES To adopt the Office of Fire Marshal Fire User Fee Study, and to direct staff to bring forth a resolution to update life safety inspection and standby service fees in accordance with the study. Staff Presenter: Emergency Services Director Rich Collins Public Presenter: Fire Chief David Rathbun 03:01 p.m. Board Action: Commissioner Knight moved to go forward with the Resolution to update your Life Safety Inspections Fees and your Standby Fees. Seconded by Mast, carried by a 5-0 vote. (03:01 p.m.) 35. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Item submitted: A copy of a document Patricia Cumming and Jane Armstrong commented on East Manasota Beach Road. (03:10 p.m.) 36. OTHER BUSINESS ADJOURNED: 3:10 p.m. MINUTES APPROVED: _______________ ______________________________ Chair