This Week in Local Government

On Monday, the Sarasota City Commission will discuss a report about the future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Wednesday, city planners will review a redevelopment proposal for the Zenith tower downtown. On Thursday, the Manatee County Commission will discuss wetland protections and preservation of agricultural land.

Monday (08/18)

City of Sarasota Commission regular meeting (agenda)

Highlight: Final report by Purple Ribbon Committee on the future of the Van Wezel; discussion of capital improvement program; discussion on city manager search; county request to take over city-owned parking lot to build county jail expansion.

9:00 AM

City Hall, city commission chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Manatee County School Board superintendent finalist interviews (agenda)

Highlight: Interviews with the two finalists for superintendent. The public will be able to watch and provide feedback to board members after the interviews are complete.

9:00 AM

Walter Miller School Support Center, boardroom, 215 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton. The interviews will also be televised on MSTV

Tuesday (08/19)

Manatee County Commission regular meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Port Authority meeting; update on $252 million HUD disaster recovery block grant; update of the county’s hazard mitigation plan; makeover of Central Library.

9:00 AM

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

Manatee County School Board superintendent interviews (agenda)

Highlight: Board members will interview the semi-finalists in a one-on-one environment.  There will be no public participation in this section of the interview process.

9:00 AM

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

Sarasota County Commission budget workshop No. 5 (agenda)

Highlights: Commissioners said this additional workshop was needed, due to concern about runaway spending. 2026 financial year budget overview; additional request by state attorney; revised budget proposals by supervisor of elections, court administration, medical examiner, public defender and state attorney; FEMA impact.

9:00 AM

Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, third floor Think Tank

Sarasota County School Board regular meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Approval of student progression plan; approval of revised school board policies (discrimination and harassment, educational equity); code of student conduct); setting private meeting to discuss settlement in Gage Crowley Sears v. School Board of Sarasota County.

6:00 PM

The Landings Administrative Complex, auditorium, 1980 Landings Boulevard, Sarasota

Wednesday (08/20)

City of Sarasota Development Review Committee (agenda)

Highlights: Zenith office tower teardown and redevelopment with 18-story, 96-unit luxury condo tower that includes seven attainable units and retail downstairs; developer asks city to abandon Osprey Court Alley; Motorhaus Storage: major revision to two proposed automobile storage facilities on N. Orange.

9:00 AM

City Hall, city commission chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Manatee County Commission work session (agenda)

Highlights: Funding Health and Human Services programs through non-profits in 2026: Less funding for healthcare services than this year, slightly more for human services. Setting aside 10% for emergency requests. Process changes.

9:00 AM

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

Thursday (08/21)

Manatee County Commission land-use meeting (agenda)

Highlights: Changing the comprehensive plan to preserve wetlands, and agricultural land east of the Urban Development Boundary.

9:00 AM

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

Friday (08/22)

Sarasota County Commission workshop with Visit Sarasota, Economic Development Council and Arts and Cultural Alliance (agenda)

Highlights: Presentations by each of the organizations about the history of their partnership with the county, and the scope of services they provide; discussion.

9:00 AM

Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice, main ballroom