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THIS WEEK IN SUNCOAST HISTORY
Aug. 28, 1937: Owen Burns, one of the most prolific developers in Sarasota history, died suddenly at home. Burns had arrived in Sarasota in 1910 and bought a substantial amount of the young city, dredged and developed portions of the bayfront and barrier islands, built roads and seawalls and developed landmarks including Burns Court and the El Vernona Hotel.
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| | NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT: | |
TRUMP WANTS CHEAPER BEEF. DESOTO COUNTY RANCHERS WORRY THAT PLAN WILL BACKFIRE
In DeSoto County, where there are more cows than people, Newt Keen’s herd of almost 300 cattle is considered a small-scale operation.
But like many local ranchers, he said he’s worried about the future of the industry, especially after President Donald Trump announced he will be easing tariffs for foreign beef — a move some agricultural experts fear could further weaken the country’s future beef supply.
“In the final analysis, do I know that what he’s doing will make beef prices go down for me? No, I don’t,” Keen said. “But I think any time you try to artificially manipulate any market, there are problems.”
| NEW FROM FLORIDA TRIDENT — WITH EDITING SUPPORT FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT: | |
AUDITORS SAY SARASOTA TAX COLLECTOR'S $100,767 PAYOUT VIOLATED STATE LAW
Six days after Mike Moran took office as Sarasota County’s newly elected tax collector, another government agency he had just left paid him $100,767.
The money came from the Florida PACE Funding Agency, an independent special government district Moran ran for more than five years while also serving as a Sarasota County commissioner. Moran resigned from PACE after winning the tax collector’s race. But on his way out, the agency agreed to pay him for six months of “transition services” — and then paid the entire amount upfront.
State auditors now say the agreement violated Florida law and that PACE could not produce a single record showing Moran performed any services for the money.
| NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT & ARTSBEAT: | |
SARASOTA COUNTY APPROVES ARTS GRANTS WITHOUT DEI DEBATE, LEAVING URBANITE BEHIND
When arts organizations in line for tourist tax grants were asked in July to acknowledge new diversity, equity and inclusion stipulations to receive public funds for 2027, most hoped the Sarasota County Commission would either provide more clarity or overlook the culture war issue.
Instead, without much discussion or further clarification, commissioners on Wednesday approved $2.1 million in county support to 33 organizations.
The lone exception was Urbanite Theatre, which declined to sign the DEI acknowledgement circulated by the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Commissioners redistributed its $40,230 grant equally among the other groups, all of which signed the acknowledgement.
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TWO YEARS AFTER DEVASTATING FLOODS, SARASOTA COUNTY APPROVES $32 MILLION IN FIXES
Two years after devastating storms exposed serious weaknesses in Sarasota County’s flood-control system, commissioners have approved $32 million in projects aimed at preventing a repeat.
The work targets some of the areas hit hardest in 2024, including Bahia Vista, St. Armands and Celery Fields, where a critical gate was left open during Hurricane Debby, worsening flooding in nearby neighborhoods.
The investments follow a Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident investigation that found the county had downplayed flood risks and ignored warnings that its infrastructure was ill-equipped for a major storm.
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LIGHTS MAY DIM ON CASINOS IN MANATEE AFTER COUNTY FINALIZES ORDINANCE
More than a year after a Suncoast Searchlight and Bradenton Herald investigation exposed more than 20 illegal gambling dens operating across the region, Manatee County commissioners have finalized an ordinance aimed at cracking down on the storefront casinos — and stopping new ones from opening.
The ordinance would give the Sheriff’s Office more tools to go after operators, including cease-and-desist orders, civil citations and, in some cases, misdemeanor charges carrying up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Commissioners unanimously agreed some form of regulation is needed, with Chairman Tal Siddique saying: “I just don’t want them here.”
The first of two required public hearings on the new ordinance will be scheduled for Sept. 22.
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SARASOTA HOSTS PARKING OPEN HOUSE WITHOUT PUBLIC COMMENT. CHAOS ENSUES.
The meeting began with roaring boos. Then came the yells from the gallery, accusations that Sarasota officials had misled the public — and, within three minutes, dozens of people marching out of City Hall in fury. One city commissioner could be heard muttering: “This is a disaster.”
Roughly 80 people had shown up Monday evening expecting what many believed would be a free-ranging discussion about Sarasota’s contentious parking situation. Instead, they were told there would be no public comment and asked to write their thoughts and questions on blue pieces of paper. The format surprised even Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, who called the meeting “a big missed opportunity.”
The chaos came after months of simmering tensions over parking policies that business owners say are driving away customers.
| NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT: | |
SARASOTA AND MANATEE SEE SURGE IN POPULATION FACING RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
More than 5,000 people in Sarasota and Manatee counties are now one setback away from homelessness — a staggering increase of more than 50% in just three years.
The surge comes as families grapple with rising housing costs, inflation and the lingering effects of recent hurricanes. “There’s just more people that are teetering on that line now,” said Jalynn Booker, the director of data systems for Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness.
At the same time, the number of people already experiencing homelessness has declined. Volunteers counted 931 people living in shelters or on the streets in Sarasota and Manatee counties this year, down nearly 20% from 2023 — creating a striking divide between progress getting people out of homelessness and the growing number at risk of falling into it.
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WARNS OF POTENTIAL CUTS TO SHERIFF’S OFFICE, KEY SERVICES IF AMENDMENT 3 PASSES
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office could face $54 million in cuts over two years if voters approve Amendment 3 in November, according to new projections from County Administrator Jonathan Lewis.
The Sheriff’s Office accounts for the largest share of the county’s general fund spending, making it particularly vulnerable if cuts are distributed proportionally based on current funding levels.
The potential cuts are part of a much larger hit: Sarasota County projects it could lose $134 million in property tax revenue during the amendment’s first two years. Emergency Services could lose about $17.5 million, while the county’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program could lose another $8.6 million.
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THIS WEEK'S FACT BRIEFS:
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Support the reporting that keeps you informed about the place you call home.
| | HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE RECOMMEND READING THIS WEEK | | |
NATHAN BENDERSON PARK PROJECT MOVING FORWARD WITH INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEX
FROM ABC7
Nathan Benderson Park is moving forward with plans for a new indoor sports complex. Sarasota County commissioners saw updated plans for the project Tuesday. Construction is expected to begin this fall. The roughly 100,000-square-foot indoor sports complex is planned for an area behind the park’s existing fields, near a large white tent, according to Bruce Patneaude, chief operating officer of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. The project also adds a new boathouse and more event space.
READ/WATCH THE STORY HERE
'TERRIBLE ROLLOUT.' MANATEE REVERSES MEETING LIVESTREAM CHANGES AFTER PUSHBACK
FROM BRADENTON HERALD
Two days after Manatee County announced meetings would no longer be streamed on Facebook, commissioners voted unanimously to reverse the changes. Community members immediately criticized the county for the decision, with over 100 comments rolling in since the post was made. Several commissioners shared similar concerns, saying the decision limited public participation in county meetings. Manatee County Government has about 85,000 followers on Facebook, and just under 3,000 subscribers on YouTube.
READ THE STORY HERE
THE ONGOING FIGHT OVER FLOCK
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THE UNBLINKING EYE: CAMERAS ARE EVERYWHERE, AND THAT RAISES QUESTIONS | FROM THE VENICE GONDOLIER License plate readers and other surveillance cameras are increasingly tracking our movements in public — raising questions about privacy, data retention and who has access to the information they collect. The Venice Gondolier examines the growing reach of the technology, including concerns about misuse after a Sarasota police officer was accused of accessing law enforcement databases more than 300 times in two months. READ THE STORY HERE
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FLOCK CAMERAS: ONLY POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD ISSUE TICKETS, SAYS DESANTIS | FROM WLRN VIA WUSF Amid the growing public and political backlash against Flock cameras, add Gov. Ron DeSantis to the list of skeptics about their use. The governor said Wednesday that roadside cameras that use artificial intelligence to photograph and log vehicle data are useful tools for law enforcement agencies and that the Florida Highway Patrol uses automated license plate recognition in its work. But the governor draws the line there. READ THE STORY HERE
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MANATEE OFFICIALS UPDATE FLOCK CAMERA POLICY AMID 'MASS SURVEILLANCE' CONCERNS | FROM BRADENTON HERALD Manatee County officials unanimously decided not to allow any Flock cameras to be installed on county-owned parks, facilities and buildings. The Manatee County Commission’s discussion comes as Flock cameras have sparked national concerns about privacy and data collection. The cameras, operated by Flock Safety, are automated license plate reading cameras that law enforcement agencies use to help find stolen vehicles, missing people and more. READ THE STORY HERE
GRAND JURY FOUND $10M 'MISAPPROPRIATED' TO HOPE FLORIDA, BUT NO ONE WILL BE CHARGED
FROM FLORIDA TRIDENT
For seven months, the finding sat in a sealed envelope at the Leon County Clerk of Court’s office in Tallahassee: a state grand jury had concluded that Florida officials misappropriated $10 million in taxpayer money and funneled it, through a charity tied to First Lady Case DeSantis, into political committees ran by the appointed Attorney General that spent it on an election.
READ THE STORY HERE
SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD'S $7.5M FOR NORTH PORT TECHNICAL SCHOOL REVOKED
FROM NORTH PORT SUN
Following a lengthy battle between other competitors in 2024, Sarasota County Schools was awarded $7.5 million of hurricane relief money to help build out a trades program at North Port’s Suncoast Technical College. But after a discussion at its Wednesday meeting, the Sarasota County Commission, which allowed the grant, decided to revoke it.
READ THE STORY HERE
THESE LOCAL JAILS WERE SUPPOSED TO DETAIN IMMIGRANTS FOR ONLY 72 HOURS. ONE WOMAN WAS HELD 26 DAYS
FROM PROPUBLICA
Every three days last December, Soumia Bensalah was shackled, driven from the Pinellas County Jail to an ICE office and returned hours later — a grueling cycle that happened five times. Legal experts told ProPublica the practice, known as “rebooking,” can allow local jails to repeatedly restart the 72-hour limit on holding immigrants for ICE, effectively circumventing federal safeguards meant to keep people detained on civil immigration matters from languishing in criminal jails.
READ THE STORY HERE
FLORIDA SHOWS HOW TO ADAPT AS COASTAL CITIES FACE GROWING THREATS FROM SEA LEVEL RISE AND STORMS
FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS
As climate change threatens communities, Florida is showing how to build to adapt. Throughout the state, architects and designers are merging infrastructure with urban design to create residential buildings, parks and more. The goal is to better withstand rising waters, worsening storms, saltwater intrusion, heat heaves and other climate impacts.
READ THE STORY HERE
SENATE BILL 180 STRIKES AGAIN
FROM SEEKING RENTS
More than a year after it passed, a deceptive state law pushed by lobbyists for developers continues to wreak havoc in communities across Florida. The latest example came last week in Orlando, where a Ron DeSantis-appointed judge dissolved an Orange County ordinance intended to stop suburban-style housing development on 1,300 acres of cattle pasture that are closer to I-95 than downtown Orlando.
READ THE STORY HERE
STATE-LICENSED SCAMS: FLORIDA REGULATORS ALLOW CONTRACTORS ACCUSED OF DECEPTION TO KEEP LICENSES
FROM FLORIDA TRIB
For years, Florida regulators have warned people to be wary of which home repair contractor they hire. The state, a mecca for retirees and a magnet for hurricanes, has long had a reputation as a hotbed for scammers, particularly in seasonal home repair work. But lawyers who specialize in consumer protection say this is not just the result of bad actors and eager marks. Florida law allows contractors with lengthy records of complaints – including accusations from state officials of deceptive and illegal business practices – to obtain and keep a state license, which is marketed to residents as the gold standard for reliability. And once a contractor has that license, it’s hard to lose.
READ THE STORY HERE
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HERE'S WHAT WE SHARED:
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ST. ARMANDS GARAGE IS STRAINING SARASOTA'S PARKING FINANCES
When Sarasota opened its St. Armands parking garage in 2019, it was supposed to help solve a longstanding parking problem on the popular tourist destination — and generate enough revenue to help cover the debt incurred to build it. Instead, the garage has brought in far less than projected, contributing to a financial strain that is now rippling across the city’s entire parking system.
Today, the parking division owes the city more than $1.65 million after repeatedly turning to the general fund to cover shortfalls, with about 91% of that debt tied to the St. Armands parking fund.
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SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD FLIPS TO LIBERAL MAJORITY AFTER YEARS OF CONSERVATIVE CONTROL
The next Sarasota County School board will see a liberal-leaning majority take control after voters rejected the conservative policies and culture wars that for years dominated the board.
Megan Tennimon and Beth Mayberry, the more progressive candidates in their respective nonpartisan races, went on to win their seats by more than 10 percentage points against candidates endorsed by the Republican Party.
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SARASOTA, MANATEE VOTERS DEAL A BLOW TO GRASSROOTS CANDIDATES IN PRIMARY
Voters across the Suncoast dealt a blow to grassroots challengers Tuesday night, while rewarding the establishment-backed candidates — including some who campaigned as outsiders themselves.
With few exceptions, the results marked a staggering reversal from 2024, when voter anger over flooding and rapid development fueled a wave of underdog victories over candidates backed by powerful developer interests across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
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DESANTIS MAKES ELECTION DAY STOP AT SARASOTA'S NEW COLLEGE TO PUSH HIGHER ED AGENDA
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made a stop at New College of Florida in Sarasota on the day of the state’s primary election to defend his record on higher education and tout his efforts to root out “woke” curricula.
DeSantis, who is not up for reelection, appeared Tuesday alongside a lineup of state officials, New College President Richard Corcoran and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education David Barker.
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Suncoast Searchlight is a 501(c)(3) 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.
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