On Tuesday, the Sarasota County commissions discusses ‘Keep Midnight Pass Open!’. On Wednesday, the selection of a lobbying firm in Tallahassee is on the agenda. The Bradenton City Council will get a presentation on bacteria at Palma Sola and about population growth, and it will discuss redevelopment of a public housing project. On Thursday, the Manatee Planning Commission hears about two workforce housing projects. And the Sarasota County Commission will meet behind closed doors with national homebuilder DR Horton to reconsider a project near Celery Fields.
Monday (09/08)
City of Sarasota Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board (agenda)
Highlights: City Commission presentation request; beach wheelchair update; website accessibility.
11:30 AM
City Hall, SRQ Media Studio, 1565 First Street, Sarasota
Tuesday (09/09)
Sarasota County Commission (agenda)
Highlights: Presentation and discussion on “Keep Midnight Pass Open!”; guidance for affordable housing workshop.
9:00 AM
Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
North Port City Commission (agenda)
Highlights: Approving a road rehabilitation project ($2.4M); applying for multiple Hazard Mitigation grants ($7.7M); hearings on revising the Infrastructure Sales Surtax project list; new ordinances for speed detection in school zones.
10:00 AM
City Commission Chambers, 4970 City Hall Blvd, North Port
Venice City Council (agenda)
Highlights: Presentation and possible discussion of the Sarasota Housing Action Plan by three foundations. At 5:00 PM: Budget approval for FY26-27.
9:00 AM
Council Chambers, 401 West Venice Avenue, Venice
Sarasota County School Board (agenda)
Highlights: At the work session, the superintendent will propose ways to maximize the use of existing facilities (possibly discussion of closing Wilkinson Elementary). That is followed by a special meeting to discuss redistricting for the new Wellen Park High School.
2:00 PM: work session
6:00 PM: special board meeting
Board Chambers, 1980 Landings Blvd, Sarasota
City of Sarasota Special City Commission Meeting (agenda)
Highlights: Discussion with executive search firms for the City Manager search.
10:00 AM
City Hall, City Commission Chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota
Manatee County School Board (agenda)
Highlights: Public hearing to approve the final millage rates and budget for FY26; approving a new superintendent contract.
5:30 PM
Walter Miller School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton
Wednesday (09/10)
Sarasota County Commission (agenda)
Highlights: Discussion on selecting a lobbying firm; becoming a founding member of the Florida Workforce Housing Council; public hearings for the Gulf Gate and Proctor Crossing Critical Area Plans; budget public hearing at 5:30 PM to set FY26 tentative budgets.
9:00 AM
Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
City of Sarasota Planning Board / Local Planning Agency (agenda)
Highlights: Hearings on a comprehensive plan amendment and a rezone request for the Marian Anderson brownfield property on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way; a zoning text amendment for rooftops and tree definitions.
1:30 PM
City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota
City of Sarasota, Newtown CRA Advisory Board (agenda)
Highlights: Presentations of two Dr. MLK Jr. Way redevelopment projects; presentation of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation home loan program.
5:00 PM
R.L Taylor Community Center, 1845 John Rivers Street, Sarasota
Manatee County Commission Budget Meeting (agenda)
Highlights: First public hearing to adopt the tentative millage rate and budget for FY26. The proposed tax rate is 3 percent lower than last fiscal year. The county has been subject to DOGE inspections and criticism by the governor.
5:30 PM
Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton
Bradenton City Council (agenda)
Highlights: Presentation on bacteria in Palma Sola Bay; redevelopment of the Sugg public housing complex; a fire engine purchase; and the latest Census population estimate, showing growth by nearly 3,000 residents in five years.
8:30 AM
City Hall Council Chambers, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton
Bradenton City Council Community Redevelopment Agency Board (agenda)
Highlights: Market analysis for the Downtown, Central, and Tamiami Trail districts; vacant land purchases from Tropicana Manufacturing.
2:00 PM
Council Chambers, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton
Thursday (09/11)
Sarasota County Commission & D.R. Horton FLUEDRA hearing (no agenda)
Highlight: Behind-closed-door arbitration meeting in which the national homebuilder will try to convince the county to reconsider its rejection to build a 156-home subdivision on agricultural land across from the Celery Fields preserve. The Audubon Society is calling on supporters to show presence at the opening of the meeting. Public comment is not possible.
9:00 AM
Sarasota County Administration Center, chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
Manatee County Planning Commission (agenda)
Highlights: Public hearings on two major affordable housing rezone requests; a hearing to amend the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Development of Regional Impact (DRI), changing 20,000 sf from light industrial to educational; a hearing on a proposed Hilton and Woodspring Suites hotel at the I-75 exit in Ellenton.
9:00 AM
Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton
Bradenton City Council Budget Hearing (agenda)
Highlights: First public hearing to adopt the FY26 budget and set the millage rate.
5:01 PM
City Hall Council Chambers, 101 Old Main Street, Bradenton
Friday (09/12)
None
