Weekly Newsletter

Friday, July 4, 2025

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We’re here to keep you informed on the local issues that matter most. Each week, we share our latest in-depth reporting, along with the most important stories from around the region, so you stay connected and up to date with what’s happening in your community.

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NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

Sarasota County stormwater crisis sparks major shakeup after public trust erodes

Under pressure from angry residents and damning investigative reports, Sarasota County commissioners voted Tuesday to create a separate stormwater department — breaking it off from Public Works — in a major shake-up of how the county manages flooding and infrastructure.

The move comes just days after a joint investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident revealed systemic failures in the lead-up to catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Debby. Residents packed Tuesday’s budget workshop, demanding accountability from Public Works Director Spencer Anderson and County Administrator Jonathan Lewis for years of mismanagement and poor communication.

Before the public spoke, Anderson defended his team’s qualifications and outlined the county’s stormwater efforts — particularly along Phillippi Creek. But residents pushed back, citing delayed maintenance, unfilled staff positions and the county’s mishandling of a dredging permit that will now delay creek work until at least 2026.

“You don’t just have a flood problem; you have a trust problem,” one speaker said.

Commissioners signaled they’d had enough. They approved sweeping structural changes, bypassing a pending report and pressing Lewis to act swiftly. Both Anderson and Lewis now face heightened scrutiny as the county scrambles to restore public trust ahead of another hurricane season.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

Stormwater chief defends dredging permit and flood response, saying he divided rainfall forecast by 3

Just days after our joint investigation outlined serious failures in Sarasota County’s stormwater system, the county’s top stormwater official defended his department — and offered a surprising explanation for how he interpreted rainfall forecasts.

Public Works Director Spencer Anderson said he divided the National Hurricane Center’s projection of up to 12 inches of rain by three, assuming the storm would be spread evenly over three days. That meant staff planned for 4 inches of rain per day — not the potential for 12 inches in a single day.

Two seasoned forecasters told Suncoast Searchlight that’s not how forecasts should be used.

"No, you don't want to do that," one of them said.

He also pushed back on criticism of his absence in the lead-up to the storm, saying it had no bearing on the county's handling of Tropical Storm Debby, and insisted his staff was adequately prepared.

Anderson additionally confirmed the county’s emergency dredging permit for Phillippi Creek was ultimately rejected, pushing any potential work into next year — if not 2026. A federal biologist told reporters the creek never qualified for emergency dredging and that the county had been told that months earlier.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

Sarasota's budget keeps growing. Can the county keep up?

Sarasota County is on track to approve its largest budget ever — more than $2.5 billion — with nearly every department and constitutional office requesting additional staff, equipment, or upgrades. But the county’s own projections show trouble ahead: By 2028, expenses are expected to outpace revenues by more than $31 million. That shortfall grows to nearly $41 million the following year.

The largest driver of that growth is the sheriff’s office, whose proposed $225 million budget has risen sharply over the past four years. Personnel costs are a big factor — the average cost to hire a deputy is now close to $250,000. Sheriff Kurt Hoffman says the increases are necessary to meet staffing needs, modernize equipment and sustain a decline in violent crime.

Commissioners have not proposed raising taxes or cutting costs, though Commissioner Mark Smith questioned whether spending at this pace can continue.

“I’m not questioning the need,” he said. “Is there going to be a leveling off?”



County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said the budget reflects strategic investments, not excess. But some observers, including former commissioner Christine Robinson, said it would be wise to start trimming now — before the projected deficits turn into real ones.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

FACT BRIEFS

Suncoast Searchlight is partnering with Gigafact to produce weekly fact briefs — concise, 150-word news stories that take real claims circulating online and fact check them. Each brief offers a direct “yes” or “no” answer to the question or claim, followed by a clear explanation backed up by credible, high-quality sources.

READ THIS WEEK'S FACT BRIEFS:

• Does Sarasota prohibit wearing a mask at protests?

• Is Sarasota County responsible for maintaining Phillippi Creek?

HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE RECOMMEND READING THIS WEEK

POWERFUL FLORIDA DEVELOPER HEARS A RARE RESPONSE FROM MANATEE COUNTY: NO!

FROM FLORIDA PHOENIX

There’s a tradition that when someone sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” everyone has to stand. So please rise as I warble several heartfelt hallelujahs over what the Manatee County Commission did last week. The headline in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune tells only half the story: “Manatee County commissioners deny development of hundreds of homes in Parrish.” Missing words from this summary include “in a flood-prone area.” Also missing: “Wetlands were going to be wiped out” and, most surprisingly, “The developer is one of the most politically powerful people in the state.” Oh, and, “The commissioners were unanimous in rejecting it.” Of course, the developer, former state senator Pat Neal, told the Herald-Tribune he plans to fight the decision: “Standby. This is not over.” I picture him singing this like King George III in “Hamilton” telling the rebellious Americans, “You’ll be back!”

READ THE STORY HERE

TIT FOR TAT?

MANATEE CO COMMISSIONER BLASTS GOVERNOR FOR SIGNING SB180 INTO LAW

FROM THE BRADENTON TIMES

Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse (R-D7) took to social media on June 27 to blast Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of SB 180, which will extend a prohibition on communities enacting stricter land use regulations (including expanding wetland buffers) for another year. Kruse wrote on his official Facebook page: Unfortunately, yesterday, without the usual photo ops and fanfare, the Governor signed the destructive SB180 into law. What was otherwise a very solid bill to manage post-storm emergencies was hijacked as a Trojan horse to carry this terrible language pushed by a single Manatee County developer.

READ THE STORY HERE

DeSANTIS VETOES MANATEE CO COMMISSIONERS FUNDING REQUESTS, BUT APPROVES OTHER LOCAL APPROPRIATIONS

FROM THE BRADENTON TIMES

Days after Kruse's Facebook post, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed all four of the Manatee County Commission’s funding requests. The local projects/programs requested by commissioners and recommended by lawmakers for state funding included the Veteran Connections Hub, the Gateway Greenway Trail, Washington Park, and the Fresh Start Manatee Program. Commissioners requested a $1 million investment toward each item.

READ THE STORY HERE

NEW STORMWATER DEPARTMENT MIGHT UP TAXES

FROM THE DAILY SUN

As the dismantling Sarasota County’s Public Works continues, so does more specific guidelines for its operation and budget. While separating the department gives more focus to stormwater management, Tuesday’s budget workshop showed its funding price tag might cost residents a tax hike. Currently, up to a $79.25 increase to the annual Stormwater Environmental Utility impervious area rate for the average single family home is on the table for discussion. An official decision hasn’t increased taxes. Instead, it adds flexibility to the county budget, due for finalization in September.

READ THE STORY HERE

IS SARASOTA TRYING TO KILL US?

FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE

A new study from national maritime and resort injury law firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. found that Sarasota is the deadliest place in the United States to visit in the summer. The findings are based on data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Coast Guard about drownings, alcohol-related deaths, boating incidents and extreme heat, ranking cities on a 100-point risk score. Sarasota earned 90 out of 100 possible points. The data is straightforward. Sarasota averages 17.28 drowning deaths per 100,000 people; 23 alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 people; 39.17 boating accidents per 100,000 people; and 52 extreme heat days per year—that is, days when temperatures shoot above 90 degrees. (In 2024, the United States experienced its hottest year in recorded history.

READ THE STORY HERE

TRUSTEES APPROVE NEW COLLEGE FOUNDATION'S FINANCES

FROM WSLR

Even though it was on the agenda, there was no discussion of the New College Foundation’s finances over the past year. The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the college, and it has been the target of questions surrounding its role in funding most of Richard Corcoran’s $1.1 million pay this year. In its draft budget, the college administration revealed for the first time that, in the current financial year, the Foundation paid $865,000 for “executive salaries”—three times as much as for scholarships and more than one-third of the total support it provided to New College. In the same year, the Foundation fell short by $1 million of the contributions it was expected to make to the college. Even so, the trustees unanimously approved the Foundation’s finances.

READ THE STORY HERE

ARE HOME PRICES FALLING IN MANATEE AND SARASOTA COUNTIES? SEE THE LATEST TRENDS

FROM BRADENTON HERALD

Home prices continue to fall in Manatee and Sarasota counties, according to the latest housing market report. According to the Sarasota and Manatee Realtor Association, inventory growth is slowing and it’s taking longer to sell a house. In Manatee County, there were 786 single-family homes sold in May. That is a 1.9% decrease year-over-year. The median sale price also declined. Compared to May 2024, prices fell 8.9% to $478,195. In Sarasota County, single-family home sales fell 7.3%, with 788 homes sold compared to 850 year-over-year. The median sale price plummeted 12.3% to $465,000.

READ THE STORY HERE

SPACEX PLANNING TO BUILD A NEW PROJECT IN MANATEE COUNTY, RECORDS SAY

FROM BRADENTON HERALD

The commercial spaceflight company SpaceX filed preliminary paperwork to build a satellite communications facility in Myakka City, according to county records. SpaceX, which Elon Musk founded in 2002, has become a leader in aerospace and is known for its rocket launches and partnership with NASA. Located at 3350 County Road 675, the project’s proposal is to build a fenced, gravel compound on a 0.73-acre area with 40 satellite antennas and one headend equipment rack, according to building records. The property is just south of Lake Manatee, west of Waterbury Road.

READ THE STORY HERE

138 NEW STATE LAWS HIT THE SHELVES

FROM DAILY SUN

Tuesday marked the first day of more than 100 new state laws for Floridians to follow, from stricter speeding penalties to education changes and bans on weather modification. Of the 138 laws that take effect July 1, some will affect many residents.

READ THE STORY HERE

'CRUELTY FOR CRUELTY'S SAKE': PROTESTS RING OUT AS TRUMP TOURS 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ'

FROM WUSF

As President Donald Trump toured the new Florida Everglades migrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" on Tuesday, protesters gathered at the controversial facility's entrance decrying what they called its potential environmental harm and the "cruelty for cruelty's sake" behind its concept. Chanting, "Alligator Alcatraz, we say No!", the loud but smaller than expected crowd of demonstrators — who were vastly outnumbered by the media throng on Tamiami Trail — held up signs with messages such as "Communities, Not Cages," and "Hands Off Our Everglades." The 5,000-bed tent-building site, which opened Tuesday after hasty construction that started last week, will house suspected undocumented immigrants arrested under Trump's sweeping deportation campaign.

READ THE STORY HERE

PLANNING BOARD DEBATES AFFORDABILITY OF SARASOTA HOUSING PROGRAM

FROM SARASOTA OBSERVER

Is affordable housing really affordable to those who need it? During its deliberations over a proposed apartment complex on a portion of the property owned by Temple Beth Sholom, members of the Sarasota Planning Board deviated into a debate over the true cost of renting the planned affordable and attainable units to be included in the project. The board unanimously voted to recommend denial of the project to the City Commission, in part because even though the plan provided three times the number of required affordable units per city code, they said it wasn’t enough for the density benefit Gilbane Development would gain as a tradeoff for a Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezoning.

READ THE STORY HERE

FATE OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR THOUSANDS IN SARASOTA, MANATEE, HINGES ON 'BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL'

FROM SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE

Local health care providers and policy experts say that the $4 billion in Medicaid cuts Florida is expected to sustain if the GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill passes would have wide-ranging effects for everyone. Various estimates project that tens of thousands of residents in the Sarasota-Manatee County area would lose health care coverage as a result of the legislation in coming years, with the impact reverberating through the hospital and health care economy as well.

READ THE STORY HERE

DID YOU MISS OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER?

HERE'S WHAT WE SHARED:

OUR JOINT INVESTIGATION WITH FLORIDA TRIDENT:

Sarasota County officials downplayed flood risk. Tropical Storm Debby exposed their failures

A five-month investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident found that Sarasota County’s stormwater system was in disarray well before Tropical Storm Debby flooded homes, damaged infrastructure and claimed a life last year.

Despite public assurances that the county was well-protected against flooding, internal records and interviews show officials ignored maintenance warnings, failed to follow emergency protocols and left key positions unfilled.

Among the most serious failures: a berm near Laurel Meadows that hadn’t been inspected in decades gave way during the storm, sending water rushing into homes. Stormwater gates meant to manage flooding at Celery Fields and Cow Pen Slough were not operated according to county protocols. And despite knowing for years that sediment buildup was choking Phillippi Creek, the county failed to act — even as residents and other agencies repeatedly raised concerns.

A 2022 consultant report warned the county it lacked the staff and long-term planning needed to manage its sprawling stormwater system. Most of its recommendations were delayed or ignored.

Now, with another hurricane season underway, many of those vulnerabilities remain unresolved — leaving communities across Sarasota County at continued risk.

Phillippi Creek won't be dredged this hurricane season, no emergency permit issued

For years, homeowners living near Phillippi Creek warned Sarasota County the sediment-choked waterway needed dredging, then demanded answers when its overflowing banks flooded them during Tropical Storm Debby.

Now, with hurricane season already underway, those same neighborhoods remain vulnerable. 

The county fumbled an emergency dredging request, filing paperwork at the last possible moment — and without key details — prompting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny the expedited request and reclassify it as a standard application, according to interviews and documents obtained by Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight.

The move could delay permitting of the project by up to eight months, pushing it well beyond the original estimate of late July.

“County staff totally missed the ball on the maintenance of Phillippi Creek,” County Commissioner Tom Knight told reporters. "I would go so far as to call it negligence. Unfortunately, now our citizens are dealing with the consequences of that."

Sarasota Ballet dancers leave in droves, citing toxic culture and instability

Nearly half of Sarasota Ballet’s dancers — including its top two female principals — have departed after a tumultuous season marked by what many describe as a toxic work environment. In interviews with Suncoast Searchlight, 13 of the 18 dancers who are leaving detailed a culture of fear, instability, and artistic control under longtime leaders Iain Webb and Margaret Barbieri.

The dancers described mercurial casting decisions, harsh public critiques and a leadership style that discouraged input and stifled artistic expression. They said even high-ranking soloists hid their job auditions from management out of fear.

Though Webb and Barbieri have been widely credited with elevating the company’s national profile through a focus on Sir Frederick Ashton’s ballets, former dancers say the directors’ failure to evolve has created an unhealthy environment. One former dancer called it a “mental game” that left company members insecure and questioning their value.



As LGBTQ+ rights face setbacks, Suncoast elders reflect on pride and perserverance

As Pride Month unfolds in an increasingly hostile political climate, many older LGBTQ+ residents across Florida’s Suncoast are reflecting on past struggles and warning that hard-won progress is at risk.

In interviews with Suncoast Searchlight, elders described a growing sense of déjà vu as new state laws target LGBTQ+ rights in schools, healthcare and public life — reviving fears many thought they had left behind.

From anti-trans legislation to rising social stigma, the shift has left many LGBTQ+ seniors weighing how visible they can safely be, and whether to step forward once again to defend their rights. Some, like longtime activist India Miller, have doubled down on advocacy, while others have pulled back, fearing harassment or discrimination.

At the same time, community spaces like Silver Pride and affirming churches are offering connection, support, and visibility for LGBTQ+ elders — many of whom are navigating concerns about safe aging, housing and legal protections in a state that’s become a testing ground for rollbacks.

Florida troopers tapped surveillance network for immigration searches, raising alarm

Florida Highway Patrol conducted more than 250 immigration-related, license-plate searches using a private network of plate readers run by Flock Safety, newly obtained search logs show. The searches spiked this spring during Operation Tidal Wave — a mass enforcement sweep that led to over 1,100 arrests statewide.

While more than 100 Florida law enforcement agencies use Flock’s cameras for criminal investigations and traffic cases, FHP stood out for using the system to aid immigration enforcement. Civil rights advocates warn the practice fuels fear in immigrant communities. It also appears to violate Flock’s own policies, which prohibit use of its technology for immigration enforcement.

The effort coincides with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to crack down on undocumented immigrants. Though ICE has no contract with Flock, Florida law enforcement agencies — including FHP — have signed agreements to assist with immigration enforcement. Records show troopers tagging searches with terms like “immigration overstay” and “assist ICE.”

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Suncoast Searchlight is a 501c3 nonprofit news organization whose mission is to produce investigative and explanatory journalism that serves and empowers the residents of Florida’s Suncoast region (Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties). We shine a light on critical issues affecting our community. Through independent reporting and collaboration with diverse media partners, we foster transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the public has access to the information they need to drive meaningful change.

CONTACT US:

Suncoast Searchlight

PO Box 99 Sarasota, FL 34230

(941) 724-4450