Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.
Local Government
Sarasota agenda targets brownfield rezoning, food truck rules
The Sarasota City Commission's Oct. 5 agenda included a final vote on rezoning the contaminated Marian Anderson site in Newtown for industrial use, a zoning code overhaul allowing food trucks in the Downtown Bayfront and more than $4.1 million in US 41 safety agreements with FDOT. Official results have not been released.
Local Government
Myakka River protection bill clears House subcommittee
H.R. 642, the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act, cleared a House subcommittee hearing Sept. 2 after Rep. Greg Steube testified in support of federal protection for a 34-mile Sarasota County stretch of the Myakka River, backed by a broad local coalition including the Sarasota County Commission.
Sarasota, FL
83°F
Sunny
Feels like 87° · 0% rain
TueSunny88°F0%
WedSunny89°F0%
ThuSunny90°F22%
FriSunny88°F41%
SatIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms85°F45%
SunIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms83°F42%
MonIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms84°F32%
Local Government
Sarasota agenda targets brownfield rezoning, food truck rules
The Sarasota City Commission's Oct. 5 agenda included a final vote on rezoning the contaminated Marian Anderson site in Newtown for industrial use, a zoning code overhaul allowing food trucks in the Downtown Bayfront and more than $4.1 million in US 41 safety agreements with FDOT. Official results have not been released.
Local Government
Myakka River protection bill clears House subcommittee
Sarasota, FL
83°F
Sunny
Feels like 87° · 0% rain
TueSunny88°F0%
WedSunny89°F0%
ThuSunny90°F22%
FriSunny88°F41%
SatIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms85°F45%
SunIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms83°F42%
MonIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms84°F32%
Local Government
Sarasota agenda targets brownfield rezoning, food truck rules
The Sarasota City Commission's Oct. 5 agenda included a final vote on rezoning the contaminated Marian Anderson site in Newtown for industrial use, a zoning code overhaul allowing food trucks in the Downtown Bayfront and more than $4.1 million in US 41 safety agreements with FDOT. Official results have not been released.
Local Government
Myakka River protection bill clears House subcommittee
Sarasota, FL
83°F
Sunny
Feels like 87° · 0% rain
TueSunny88°F0%
WedSunny89°F0%
ThuSunny90°F22%
FriSunny88°F41%
SatIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms85°F45%
SunIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms83°F42%
MonIsolated Showers And Thunderstorms84°F32%
Local Government
Failed pump sensor left St. Armands Circle underwater during July 23 storm
A failed pump sensor left St. Armands Circle businesses flooded during a July 23 thunderstorm that dropped 2.2 inches of rain in two hours, reigniting merchant frustration over recurring drainage problems as the county's $13.7 million flood-resiliency project remains years from completion.
Local Government
North Port breaks ground on $16.7 million Warm Mineral Springs rehabilitation
North Port broke ground Monday, July 27, on a $16.7 million project to rehabilitate three 1959 buildings at Warm Mineral Springs Park, a National Register site drawing 150,000 visitors a year, after the City Commission approved a $4.08 million budget increase on July 7 to cover rising costs.
Local Government
State fire marshal investigating Longboat Key duplex fire that gutted two units
The Florida State Fire Marshal is investigating a July 15 early-morning fire that gutted a two-unit duplex at the Dock on the Bay condominium on Longboat Key, with the Sarasota Fire Department among multiple agencies that responded. No injuries were reported, but the blaze set back the community's ongoing hurricane recovery.
Local Government
Sarasota launches online map tracking every affordable housing project in the city
The City of Sarasota published an interactive online dashboard on Wednesday, July 23, that maps every completed and proposed affordable and attainable housing development within city limits, giving residents a single tool to track the city's housing progress.
Local Government
Downtown business owners demand Sarasota roll back expanded parking hours
Downtown Sarasota business owners packed the July 6 City Commission meeting to demand a repeal of expanded paid-parking hours, and the commission is set to revisit the policy at a workshop on Monday, August 31, according to Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch.
Local Government
Sarasota County still needs about 400 poll workers for Aug. 18 primary
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner says only about 400 of the 800 poll workers needed for the Aug. 18 primary have been recruited, and he's urging residents to apply at SarasotaVotes.gov while training slots remain.
Local Government
Sarasota approves $51 million overhaul of aging wastewater plant
The Sarasota City Commission approved a $51 million rehabilitation of the 12th Street wastewater treatment facility on Monday, July 20, financed through a 20-year state loan, with construction scheduled from summer 2027 through the end of 2030.
Local Government
Free cooling supplies, safety classes target Sarasota County's hottest neighborhoods
UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is distributing free cooling supplies and running heat-safety classes in North Sarasota, Venice, and North Port after Florida Health data showed approximately 34 county residents are hospitalized for heat illness each summer.
Local Government
North Port opens annexation talks with Sarasota County over 3,148-acre Winchester Ranch
North Port's City Commission unanimously authorized annexation negotiations with Sarasota County over the 3,148-acre Winchester Ranch property, a potential 6,000-home expansion of Wellen Park, after the county rejected a development application earlier this year and the local water district said it couldn't afford $144 million in infrastructure.
Local Government
Gulf tropical system likely to become Tropical Storm Bertha; Sarasota may see rain, rip currents
Tropical Depression Two is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Bertha later Monday, July 20, with its center tracking toward the Florida Panhandle. Sarasota residents may see 2 to 4 inches of rain from outer bands and life-threatening rip currents through the week.
Local Government
Gulf low-pressure system may bring heavy rain to drought-hit Sarasota next week
The National Hurricane Center is tracking a low-pressure system expected to form over the northeastern Gulf this weekend, giving it a 20% chance of tropical development that could bring heavy rain to drought-stricken Sarasota early next week.
Local Government
Sarasota commission to vote Monday on $7.95M contract to plan utility burial on St. Armands, Lido Key
The Sarasota City Commission will vote Monday, July 20, on a $7.95 million contract with Utility Consultants of Florida to assess and potentially design the burial of overhead power lines on St. Armands and Lido keys, a resilience project that would be funded by property owner assessments.
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©2026 The Sarasota Record
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