This week is dominated by top leadership searches. The Manatee County School Board will select its new superintendent on Tuesday, and the Sarasota City Commission will dedicate a special meeting to the city manager search. On Wednesday, the Sarasota County Commission will consider Pat Neal’s Manasota Beach Road project.
Monday (08/25)
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) meeting and budget workshop (agendas)
Highlights: The Airport Authority will discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget in a workshop. Expenses are increasing due to the new 80,000 sq. ft. terminal expansion, new TSA/FAA requirements, and staffing needs. In the regular meeting, the board will approve new agreements with ground transportation companies (including Uber and Lyft) and set the public hearing date for the final budget adoption.
Workshop: 11:00 AM
Regular Meeting: 1:00 PM
Dan McClure Auditorium East, 6000 Airport Circle, Sarasota
Tuesday (08/26)
City of Sarasota Commission special meeting (agenda)
Highlight: City manager search process, reviewing and discussing proposals from various search firms.
10:00 AM
City Hall, city commission chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota
Manatee County School Board meeting (agenda)
Highlight: The Board will hold a vote to select the district’s new superintendent from two finalists. The board is also expected to approve $1.68 million for student mental health services and vote on a turnaround plan for Samoset Elementary to improve student performance.
5:30 PM
Walter Miller School Support Center, board room, 215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton
Sarasota County Commission regular meeting (agenda)
Highlights: Utility rates and fees; creating a new Helping Hands grant program; several multi-year contracts for transportation, stormwater, and groundwater management engineering services.
9:00 AM
Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 South Tamiami Trail, Commission Chamber, Venice
City of Venice City Council meeting (agenda)
Highlights: Final reading and vote on adopting an ordinance implementing the controversial “Live Local Act” on affordable housing; several ordinances establishing a Public Hospital District zoning area; authorizing $17.5 million in capital improvement revenue bonds to finance a new fire station, an EOC storage facility, and a new solid waste/fleet maintenance facility.
9:00 AM
City hall, 401 West Venice Avenue, council chambers, Venice
Wednesday (08/27)
Bradenton City Council meeting (agenda)
Highlights: Presentation from the Florida Department of Transportation on the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector road project; discussing a proposal from Manatee County for East Bradenton Park improvements; Solid Waste Concierge Service plan for “The Metropolitan” development.
8:30 AM
City Hall Council Chambers, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton
Sarasota County Commission regular meeting (agenda)
Highlights: Discussion of Pat Neal’s unsolicited proposal for a public-private partnership to design and construct the Manasota Beach Road Extension and vote on allocating $15 million for the project; update on the Correctional Campus Master Plan (county jail expansion).
9:00 AM
Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Boulevard, Commission Chamber, Sarasota
Thursday (08/28)
Bradenton City Council budget workshop (agenda)
Highlights: Full presentation and detailed overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget.
8:30 AM
City Hall Council Chambers, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton
Friday (08/29)
Manatee County School Board workshop (agenda)
Highlight: Internal procedures for mandatory reporting and law enforcement investigations; legislative priorities for the 2026 session in Tallahassee.
9:00 AM
Walter Miller School Support Center, board room, 215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton
City of North Port special meeting (agenda)
Highlight: City Commission will hold a Special Meeting to interview the three finalists for city attorney and selection of the city’s next top legal officer.
8:00 AM
City hall, 4970 City Hall Blvd., City Commission Chambers, North Port