Sarasota commissioners voted unanimously on Sept. 9 to redirect $5 million from Bobby Jones Nature Park to the golf clubhouse next door. The transfer is the largest in a nearly $16.5 million reshuffling of penny tax capital funds across city projects.

The resolution amends the project lists for Surtax III and Surtax IV, the infrastructure penny taxes voters approved in 2007 and 2022. A public hearing was required because the changes alter spending plans presented to voters, as the Sarasota Observer reported.

Vice Mayor Raises Concerns Over Fund Shift

Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich, who spent more than a decade pushing for the nature park as part of a neighborhood coalition, supported the resolution but flagged the Bobby Jones transfer.

"I'm a big fan of Bobby Jones, both the nature park and the golf course, but I don't like taking money away from one in favor of the other," Ohlrich said.

Official Says Other Funding Sources Will Cover Gap

Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle told commissioners the nature park's Phase 2 would not suffer. He pointed to a $3.5 million fundraising agreement with Big Waters Land Trust, approved 5-0 by the commission on Feb. 17, plus $1.6 million in park impact fees. Combined, Fogle said, those sources exceed the $5 million being redirected.

That assurance carries a condition. Fogle acknowledged the Big Waters money depends on a capital campaign still underway: "We will have enough funding if indeed they're able to raise the funds."

Clubhouse Project Already Underway

Big Waters Land Trust holds a conservation easement over the entire Bobby Jones property. The 110-acre nature park opened in December 2023, and Phase 1 was formally completed with a ribbon-cutting on July 13. The clubhouse project is already moving. City records show the commission advanced a $514,957 design contract with Jon F. Swift Construction and set aside $1,179,006 in the Bobby Jones Golf Course Construction Fund earlier this year.

Finance Director Explains Reallocation Process

Director of Financial Administration Kelly Strickland told commissioners the penny tax programs span 15 years and carry no fixed order. She said the reallocations reflect emergency spending on hurricane recovery and shifting project timelines.

Hurricane Repairs Drive Bulk of Reallocated Funds

Beyond Bobby Jones, the package steers roughly $4.4 million toward Hurricane Debby, Helene and Milton infrastructure repairs, $1.37 million to seawall rehabilitation, $2.33 million from streetscapes to five Complete Street projects and $475,000 from traffic calming to intersection improvements. Smaller transfers fund ADA upgrades at City Hall, Arlington Park and Lido Beach.

Nature Park's Next Phase Set for Late 2026

Phase 2 of the nature park would add a bird blind, boardwalk, overlooks and up to 2,000 trees. Work is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.