At board retreat, they also discuss whether the county can plan for flooding with more intense storms in mind.
By Louise Machinist
Original Air Date: December 17, 2025
Benderson Finish Tower. Photo by Johannes Werner
Host: The Sarasota County Commission picked a new chair Friday. At the same meeting, one of the commissioners suggested that stormwater management in Sarasota County should be planned with more intense storms in mind. WSLR News reporter Louise Machinist has the details on the next chair and the commissioners’ big-picture discussions on how to deal with flooding.
Louise Machinist: The vibe was casual at the Benderson Finish Tower when the five Sarasota County Commissioners met for their annual Strategic Planning Board Retreat. Outside, holiday music was playing and the lake was glittering. All commissioners were wearing casual clothes and relaxed smiles. It took a second glance to recognize Joe Neunder in his Buffalo Sabres hockey jersey.
But despite the casual style, according to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, “This is the most important day of the year.”
Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
The day-long retreat convened at 8:30 a.m. Few citizens were there, but those who were got a close up view of the board at work. And the work was serious, informed and detail-focused.
The first order of business was election of new board officers for 2026. The commissioner holding the gavel will be Ron Cutsinger. Mark Smith will be vice chair. Both were elected by acclamation. Teresa Mast will fill in when needed for the chair.
Ron Cutsinger. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
Cutsinger was first elected to the board in 2020 and re-elected last fall without opposition. He lives in Englewood and represents District 5, the southernmost district in the county. This is not the first time he wields the gavel. He served as vice chair in 2022 and 2025 and was the chair in 2023. He describes himself as conservative. He has taken a strong stand against tax hikes while voting for changes to the long-term plan to allow for more development.
In his previous tenure as chair, Cutsinger presided with civility.
The commission’s 2026 priorities focused on the budget from 2026 to 2028, transportation management, Siesta Key beautification, stormwater management and affordable housing. Strategic priorities will be finalized during the January 13 commission meeting. The public can communicate with commissioners at commissioners@scgov.net.
Jon Lewis. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
Raising stormwater standards after the epic flooding of 2024 was among the topics. In designing its systems, the county has been planning for 100-year storms with 10 inches of rain within 24 hours. But Tropical Storm Debby brought 18 inches, and two other storms last year closed in on that 100-year standard. While Florida Senate Bill 180 restricts counties from designing to a higher standard, Commissioner Neunder raised the need of further discussion.
Joe Neunder. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
Joe Neunder: The standards that were set were collected on data in the early ‘80s. I was in diapers. The adoption of that was the early ‘90s, and here we are in 2025 with data and adoption ordinances that go back into the 20th century. I know that Senate Bill 180 somewhat restricts our ability to advocate for or encourage individuals to design to a higher standard—which, in my mind, would make sense as we move forward and rain events happen—but that’s the private sector. In the government sector, we have the ability to pivot and then hold ourselves to a higher standard—as opposed to the 10 inches in 24 hours—and bump that up to 12 as we move forward. Is that something that we have the ability to do?
LM: Despite fiscal uncertainty, the commissioners will continue to prioritize enhanced stormwater management to prevent the kind of disastrous flooding that occurred in 2024. New staff and equipment have been authorized. Scientists and experts are designing the county’s approach, and they are collaborating with the city of Sarasota. Commissioners acknowledged progress but noted “lots has been accomplished, but there is still a lot to do.”
For WSLR News, this has been Louise Machinist.
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