This Week in Local Government

On Friday, the Sarasota County Commission will discuss strategic priorities for 2026 and elect a chair. Tuesday, the City of Sarasota Historic Preservation Board will present the “Six to Save” projects, and discuss moving the McAlpin House and demolishing two historic homes on Oak Street.

Monday (12/08)

None

Tuesday (12/09)

City of Venice Council regular meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Rezoning of 5 acres on Curry Lane to “Office, Professional and Institutional”; rezone of 11 acres on Knights Trail to allow a townhome planned development; changing the city charter to allow annual selection of vice-mayor; annual update of the Five-Year Capital Improvement Schedule; 2026 federal legislative priorities.

9:00 AM

City Hall chambers, 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice

City of North Port Commission regular meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Change to personnel policy in city charter via a referendum; adding $1.7 million to budget for Emergency Operations Center project; adopting the $12.7 million Phase 2 of the EOC project; raising water and wastewater fees; buying land for preservation; Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

10:00 AM

City hall chambers, 4970 City Hall Blvd., North Port

City of Sarasota Historic Preservation Board (agenda)

Highlights: Six to Save; moving McAlpin House; demolish two historic buildings on Oak Street.

3:00 PM

City hall commission chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Manatee County School Board meeting (agenda)

Highlights: School choice in 2026-27; amending school board policies; naming “Veterans Elementary School”; redistricting plan; Lakewood Ranch Prep charter school.

5:30 PM

Walter Miller School Support Center, board room, 215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton

Wednesday (12/10)

City of Bradenton Council regular meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Special-use permit for a drive-through restaurant at 126 5th Avenue Drive East; special-use permit to allow construction of a dock at 2435 Riverview Blvd.; special-use permit to allow a group-care facility at 1512 Ballard Park Dr.; 2026 tree giveaways; shuffleboard court land; Ironwood water main assessment.

8:30 AM

City Hall council chambers, 101 Old Main St., Bradenton

City of Sarasota Planning Board (agenda)

Highlights: Lightshare building addition; McBean Boys & Girls Club; Sarasota Youth Sailing building.

1:30 PM

City hall commission chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Thursday (12/11)

Manatee County Planning Commission (agenda)

Highlights: Rezone of 18 acres at Waterline and Rye Road from agriculture to planned development; building a 126-room hotel on 60th Ave. E.; rezone of two parcels of 44 acres and 56 acres of agricultural land on State Road 64, east of Zipperer Road, to planned development; changing ordinance to allow recreational vehicles in mobile home parks;

9:00 AM

Manatee County Administration Building, chambers, 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton

Friday (12/12)

Sarasota County Commission strategic planning board retreat (agenda)

Highlights: Election of chair; next year’s meeting schedule; City of Sarasota request for joint meeting; strategic planning and priorities for 2026.

8:30 AM

Nathan Benderson Park Finish Tower, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, 5th fl., Sarasota