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COMMISSIONER SEEKS TO PROFIT FROM LAND DONATED TO COUNTY FOR CONSERVATION
FROM FLORIDA TRIDENT
Sarasota County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger sought to buy a strip of mangrove shoreline in Englewood that was donated to Sarasota County for conservation in 1998, pushing to declare it surplus and sell it to himself and neighbors despite its environmental value and his personal real estate dealings nearby. For more than a year, Cutsinger argued the donated land was a wild deed done in “spite” to block views of Lemon Bay and prevent the construction of docks across the mangroves. A wild deed is a legal term used to describe a recorded deed unconnected to the official chain of title. James Hiller Hardie — one of the family members who signed the deeds gifting the land to the county — disputes Cutsinger’s assertions. “Absolutely not,” said Hardie in response to Cutsinger’s claim that the land gifts were done out of spite.
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CUTSINGER FLIPS ON SURPLUSSING COUNTY LAND ON LEMON BAY
FROM VENICE GONDOLIER
Sarasota County Commission Vice Chair Ron Cutsinger asked his colleagues Tuesday to kill a proposal to declare more than a mile of land along Lemon Bay surplus following a news report about how he might benefit from the action. Referring to the Trident as a “so-called news blog,” Cutsinger said that its report contained “several factual inaccuracies” and its accusation he was acting out of self-interest “could not be further from the truth.” His interest was solely to see that the water rights of the people who own along Bay Shore Drive are restored, he said, and declaring it surplus was staff’s recommendation to clear up any title issues.
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NEW COLLEGE HAS A STUDENT RETENTION PROBLEM
FROM WLSR
More than two years after the takeover by the governor, it admits that New College of Florida has a retention problem. The 2025 Accountability Report was the first instance the new New College administrators publicly admitted they are facing retention challenges, while promising improvement and presenting fixes. The current graduation rate is at 40% – an all-time low – but administrators promise that figure will jump to 60% for the class that enrolled last year – which would be an all-time high.
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IS DEVELOPMENT 'OUT OF CONTROL?' MANATEE WANTS DEVELOPERS TO PAY FOR MORE FOR IT
FROM THE BRADENTON HERALD
As development booms in Manatee County, leaders want to start charging builders millions more to pay for issues caused by growth. At a recent meeting, commissioners reviewed a plan to raise impact fee rates for local development to the maximum allowed by state law. The one-time fees collected from developers help pay for infrastructure like new roads, water and sewer utilities, schools, parks, libraries and emergency services. Manatee County’s past handling of impact fees has drawn criticism from some residents and officials, who say that developers are not paying their fair share for problems caused by rapid building.
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WITH A NEW TERMINAL, NEW BUSINESS AND LOTS OF WEALTHY TRAVELERS, SARASOTA BRADENTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS SOARING
FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE
Sarasota Magazine's in-depth series on Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) chronicles its transformation from a modest regional hub into a bustling gateway for travelers nationwide. The airport's rapid growth is highlighted by the addition of a new terminal, an influx of new businesses and a surge in affluent travelers. Outgoing President and CEO Rick Piccolo reflects on his 30-year tenure, during which SRQ diversified its revenue streams, bringing in $3.5 million and enabling the airport to weather economic downturns and fund future improvements. The series also delves into the airport's history, its impact on the local economy, and the lifestyle of private jet owners like Jesse Biter, who likens his Embraer Phenom 100 to a "Suburban in the sky."
READ THE SERIES HERE
SARASOTA COUNTY WANTS TO CREATE A NEW STORMWATER DEPARTMENT, BUT THE DETAILS ARE MURKY
FROM SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE
The Sarasota County Commission is considering creating a new department whose sole focus would be managing stormwater, after public trust in their ability to prevent flooding has cratered entering the 2025 hurricane season. County Administrator Jonathan Lewis has been tasked to find out how the new department would work logistically and financially. He said in a statement that he would eventually present the commission with scenarios involved with “staffing, funding, functions, assets, and logistics of eliminating the Public Works Department and creating two departments − one a Stormwater Department, and most likely, the other would be a revamped Transportation Department.” Lewis’ goal is to have all this ready to present to commissioners by July's budget workshops.
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COMMISSIONERS APPROVE MEASURE THAT RESTRICTS NEW RETAILS PET STORES FROM OPERATING IN MANATEE COUNTY
FROM THE BRADENTON TIMES
During a BOCC meeting on Tuesday, commissioners voted to approve the adoption of a county ordinance that will prohibit the opening of any new retail pet stores within Manatee County. Ordinance 25-33 came before the commissioners after a 6-0 vote in February instructed staff to draft such a provision, modeling a similar ordinance adopted by commissioners in Pinellas County.
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