Final Budget Public Hearing

Final Budget Public Hearing

September 23, 2026

05:30 p.m.

MINUTES

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER

1 APEX ROAD

COMMISSION CHAMBER

SARASOTA, FLORIDA

BUDGET HEARING

Ron Cutsinger, Chair, District 5

Mark Smith, Vice Chair, District 2

Teresa Mast, District 1

Tom Knight, District 3

Joe Neunder, District 4

Also present were:

Jonathan Lewis, County Administrator

Karl Senkow, Chief Deputy County Attorney

Beatrice Patrizi, Deputy Clerk

(05:34 p.m.)

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Commissioner Knight

(05:34 p.m.)

1.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Jon Thaxton commented on the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and affordable housing.

Bill Murphy and Curtis Whittaker commented on the Blackburn Bridge and County spending.

PUBLIC HEARING:

(05:41 p.m.)

2.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

A.

(Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-174 relating to the Final Countywide Millage Rate and Final Millage Rates for the Emergency Medical Services Districts, the Navigable Waterways Maintenance District, the Siesta Key Village Public Improvement District, and the Lighting Districts for Fiscal Year 2027;

B.

(Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-175 relating to the Final Budget for Section 1 of the County Budget and the Final Budget for Section 2 of the County Budget for Fiscal Year 2027;

C.

(Public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Certified Budget and authorize the Chairman to execute the Certified Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

D.

(Not a public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Adopted Fiscal Year 2027 Detailed Work Plan Budget for Arthropod Control and authorize the Chairman to execute the Detailed Work Plan Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

E.

Final Budget Public Hearing

September 23, 2026

ACTION AGENDA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1 APEX ROAD COMMISSION CHAMBER SARASOTA, FLORIDA BUDGET HEARING

5:30 p.m.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

NO ACTION TAKEN

1.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

PUBLIC HEARING:

adopted/approved/authorized

2.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

A.

(Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-174 relating to the Final Countywide Millage Rate and Final Millage Rates for the Emergency Medical Services Districts, the Navigable Waterways Maintenance District, the Siesta Key Village Public Improvement District, and the Lighting Districts for Fiscal Year 2027;

B.

(Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-175 relating to the Final Budget for Section 1 of the County Budget and the Final Budget for Section 2 of the County Budget for Fiscal Year 2027;

C.

(Public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Certified Budget and authorize the Chairman to execute the Certified Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

D.

(Not a public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Adopted Fiscal Year 2027 Detailed Work Plan Budget for Arthropod Control and authorize the Chairman to execute the Detailed Work Plan Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

E.

(Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-176 relating to the Fiscal Year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program;

F.

(Public hearing) To adopt proposed Ordinance No. 2026-019 relating to updates to the Capital Improvements Element of the Comprehensive Plan for Fiscal Year 2027-2031.

no action taken

3.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - Open and closed without comment.

Board assignment to officially recognize Mr. Herbert Hurwitz

4.

OTHER BUSINESS

Final Budget Public Hearing — September 23, 2026 - 05:30 pm

September 23, 2026

## SARASOTA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER 1 APEX ROAD COMMISSION CHAMBER SARASOTA FL

Ron Cutsinger, Chair, District 5 Mark Smith, Vice Chair, District 2 Teresa Mast, District 1 Tom Knight, District 3 Joe Neunder, District 4

## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Commissioner Knight

## 1\. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – (Three-minute time limit per person.)

This time is reserved for persons desiring to comment on items not scheduled for a public hearing. Persons wishing to speak at Open to the Public shall complete a Request to Speak card, including the number of the agenda item or, if not an agenda item, the topic to be addressed. Comments on scheduled agenda items will be heard first, followed by up to 5 speakers related to topics not on the advertised agenda. Any remaining speaker cards will be held for the final Open to the Public session at the end of the meeting.

## PUBLIC HEARING:

The Sarasota County Charter requires that evidence and testimony presented during Public Hearings shall be under oath. Persons presenting evidence and/or testimony are required to complete and sign the Request to Speak Card.

Time Limits: Petitioner Presentation - 20 minutes; Citizen Comments - 5 minutes per speaker (unless otherwise determined by the Chair); Petitioner Rebuttal - 5 minutes

## 2\. OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

2. OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

**A.** (Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-174 relating to the Final Countywide Millage Rate and Final Millage Rates for the Emergency Medical Services Districts, the Navigable Waterways Maintenance District, the Siesta Key Village Public Improvement District, and the Lighting Districts for Fiscal Year 2027;

**B.** (Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-175 relating to the Final Budget for Section 1 of the County Budget and the Final Budget for Section 2 of the County Budget for Fiscal Year 2027;

**C.** (Public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Certified Budget and authorize the Chairman to execute the Certified Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

**D.** (Not a public hearing) To approve the Mosquito Management Services Adopted Fiscal Year 2027 Detailed Work Plan Budget for Arthropod Control and authorize the Chairman to execute the Detailed Work Plan Budget form for submittal to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

**E.** (Public hearing) To adopt Resolution No. 2026-176 relating to the Fiscal Year 2027- 2031 Capital Improvement Program;

**F.** (Public hearing) To adopt proposed Ordinance No. 2026-019 relating to updates to the Capital Improvements Element of the Comprehensive Plan for Fiscal Year 2027-2031.

* * *

## AGENDA BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

## 3\. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – (Three-minute time limit per person.)

This time is reserved for persons desiring to comment before the Board on items not scheduled for a Public Hearing. Persons wishing to speak at Open to the Public shall complete a Request to Speak card, including the number of the agenda item or, if not an agenda item, the topic to be addressed. This segment may include speakers deferred from the initial Open to the Public segment.

## 4\. OTHER BUSINESS

## NOTE:

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Persons with disabilities who require assistance or alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.), or who wish to file a complaint, should contact: Sarasota County Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)/Civil Rights Coordinator, 1 Apex Road, Sarasota, Florida 34240, Phone: 941-861-5000, Teletype (TTY): 7- 1-1 or 1-800-955-8771. Email: [adacoordinator@scgov.net](mailto:adacoordinator@scgov.net). Persons needing assistance are asked to provide notice as soon as practicable in advance of the event to allow time to accommodate the request.

* * *

# OFFICE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

**Budget Public Hearing**

* * *

# RESOLUTION NO. 2026-174

## RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA

## RE: ADOPTING FINAL COUNTYWIDE MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL MILLAGE RATES FOR AD VALOREM DISTRICTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.

**WHEREAS,** in compliance with Chapters 129 and 200, Florida Statutes, the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners (the "Board") conducted a duly-noticed public hearing on September 23, 2026 for the purpose of adopting the final countywide millage rate and the final millage rates for ad valorem districts for Fiscal Year 2027; and

**WHEREAS,** the Board has received and considered all public comments and the public has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions regarding the final countywide millage rate and the final millage rates for the ad valorem districts.

**NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED**, by the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners in public-meeting assembled, that:

1. The final aggregate millage rate of 3.8545 mills, which is a 0.04 percent increase of the current year aggregate rolled-back rate of 3.8530, is hereby adopted as the final aggregate millage rate for Fiscal Year 2027.

2. The final total countywide millage rate of 3.3833 mills is necessary to support the final Countywide budget for Fiscal Year 2027, adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 2026-175. The final countywide millage rate is comprised of the following final millage rates which are hereby adopted:

A. The General Operating millage of 3.2317 mills, which is a 0.30 percent increase of the rolled-back rate of 3.2219 mills.

B. The Mosquito Control District millage of 0.0490 mill, which is a 5.59 percent decrease of the rolled-back rate of 0.0519 mill.

C. The voted Debt Service millage of 0.0653 mill for ESLPP.