The plan raises concerns over who controls growth, taxes and public infrastructure at and around the commercial district.
By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Christian Casale/Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Original Air Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Here’s a look at a proposal moving through the Florida Legislature that could reshape one of the region’s largest commercial hubs. It centers on the University Town Center—and on who controls growth, taxes and public infrastructure there. Derek Gilliam with Suncoast Searchlight reports.
This abbreviated radio version is based on a longer article reported by Suncoast Searchlight and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and was produced by generative AI with human oversight.
Derek Gilliam: A new bill in the Florida House would turn the University Town Center into a special government district—and give one of the region’s most influential developers new powers to tax and regulate the area.
House Bill 4091 would create the University Town Center Improvement District, covering more than 1,500 acres across Sarasota and Manatee counties. The district would be largely controlled by Benderson Development, the area’s largest private landowner.
Supporters say the district would help pay for infrastructure and stormwater improvements, especially after catastrophic flooding in 2024. But critics warn it would give a private developer sweeping authority—with little oversight from local governments.
The proposed boundaries of the new district would the boundaries would stretch from University Park in Manatee County south to Fruitville Road in Sarasota County, all west of Interstate 75. Map courtesy of Ramba Consulting Group via Suncoast Searchlight
Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight raised concerns during a recent commission meeting, saying the bill’s vague language does not require coordination with counties on issues like public safety and drainage.
Tom Knight: Something I noticed in the bill that would be missing is the cooperation between this new body—this new area that’s being designated in two counties—and how that would affect us with public safety, our Phillippi Creek drainage system, and how that all will come together.
DG: About a third of the proposed district includes Nathan Benderson Park—a public park owned by Sarasota County and funded with tens of millions of dollars in public tax revenue.
If approved, the district would be governed by a five-member board elected by landowners. Benderson Development would hold the majority of voting power. The board would be able to issue tax-free municipal bonds and levy up to three mills in additional property taxes.
Benderson’s lobbyist, Dave Ramba, said the district would allow stormwater projects to move faster by bypassing government bureaucracy.
Ramba said: “If you look at the hydrologic maps on everything that’s west of I-75 and in those commercial areas, it’s basically a big bowl. And right now, the bowl at the bottom of the bowl is the rowing facility.”
Rowers competed at the 10th annual Sarasota Invitational Regatta at Nathan Benderson Park. File photo by Sarasota Herald-Tribune via Suncoast Searchlight
Benderson’s director of development, Todd Mathes, said the company wants to protect both commercial properties and the public park.
Under the proposal, Sarasota and Manatee counties would have no direct control over the district or its assessments. County-owned land does not pay taxes—and therefore would not get a vote.
State Rep. Bill Conerly, who filed the bill, described the district as a capital improvement plan for UTC and said it would rely on private dollars instead of public tax revenue.
Conerly said: “The idea is that the UTC won’t have to rely on tax dollars to do these improvements.”
The bill could still change as it moves through the legislature. Because it affects only two counties, no senate companion bill is required.
A new bill in the Florida House would turn the University Town Center into a special government district. File photo by Sarasota Herald-Tribune via Suncoast Searchlight
But a former assistant Sarasota County attorney warned the bill’s powers go far beyond stormwater needs. Susan Schoettle’s private practice focuses on land use and local government law. She expressed concern to Knight prior to the county commission meeting last week.
Schoettle said: “The powers that would be granted to this new district as outlined in HB 4091 are extremely broad and go way beyond what is needed to address any stormwater issues that may exist,” she wrote in an email to Knight.
In her email to Knight, Schoettle said that at least two multifamily residential areas appear to be included in the district map. She also expressed concern that the district’s powers could impact surrounding residential areas.
For Suncoast Searchlight, I’m Derek Gilliam. This story was written in partnership with Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporter Christian Casale. Read more at suncoastsearchlight.org/utc-benderson-tax-district-university-town-center-florida.
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