New meters are coming to City of Sarasota residential water customers!

A project to replace all 17,000 residential water meters in the City will begin in March, when National Metering Services, the contractor conducting the replacement, will begin installing the new meters. Installation will be conducted during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with limited interruptions to water service. Residents should expect to receive advance notice of installation from National Metering Services via the U.S. Mail.

Due to the increased accuracy of the new meters, some residents may see a slight increase or decrease in their water utility bills. In addition to enhanced accuracy, the new meters will allow residents to monitor their water usage online via the City’s utility billing portal.

More information is available on the water meter replacement project webpage.

Questions relating to the installation of new meters should be directed to National Metering Services at customerservice@nmsnj.com or by calling 888-449-0009.

Construction work continues along North Tamiami Trail with our Utilities Department proactively replacing an aging water main buried under the roadway.

With one lane in each direction between Myrtle Street and Dr. MLK Jr. Way temporarily closed, some small business owners in the construction path are feeling the pinch. While access to each business remains open from N. Tamiami Trail, unfortunately, some drivers are disinclined to leave their spot in traffic to visit a business briefly.

Staff have talked with some affected business owners and we understand their situation. The construction work, though, must be completed for the long term safety and resiliency of the City’s water distribution system. The water main being replaced is approximately 60 years old and at the end of its life cycle.

To help remind drivers that local businesses are open along the construction zone, signs were fabricated by the Public Works Department and installed recently with the names of businesses currently affected. We encourage you to patronize these small businesses:  Olive Eats, Books & Coffee, Barber Shop, Great Florida Insurance, ChicaBoom Fitness, Dog Wash/Grooming, Pat’s Salon & Barber, PUB, Mirnas Cuban, MYMAMMA, Focaccia Pasta & More, RONC Donuts, Smoke Shop, and Boost.

We appreciate the community’s support during this multi-year, multi-phase improvement project, the end result which will be the installation of a modern, resilient 8-inch water main for our drinking water distribution. You can track the construction progress on the project webpage.

You’re invited to attend a free seminar series to gain practical insights and actionable strategies to launch or grow your business in Newtown. Learn from experienced professionals and other entrepreneurs in the community!

Seminars are held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every other Wednesday starting Jan. 28 through April 29, 2026 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers St.

Each session focuses on a different business topic, from building a compelling business plan to developing an income statement to identifying ideal customers.

Space is limited to 20. Learn more and register online. 

The Build Your Success in Newtown seminar series is being presented through a funding grant from the Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency in partnership with SCORE Manasota and 1st Source Bank. SCORE Manasota offers education and mentoring on business issues with 75 volunteers.  

We appreciate this community building and wish the entrepreneurs in Newtown good luck with their future endeavors!

The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with Sarasota County, is hosting a household hazardous waste collection event from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Payne Park.

City and County residents are invited to dispose of household waste such as gasoline, chemicals, batteries, automotive products, oil and more at this upcoming event. Check out a detailed list of what will and will not be accepted.

Unable to attend, but still want to properly dispose of hazardous household waste? City and County residents can visit 8750 Bee Ridge Rd., Monday-Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to have hazardous waste properly disposed of.

We hope you’ll join us Feb. 7!

Interested in volunteering your time and expertise on one of the City’s citizen advisory boards?

Qualified individuals can apply to serve on one of our many advisory boards which provide input regarding the City’s operations, priorities and future. Advisory Board Members are appointed by the City Commission.

Applications currently are being accepted for every board with openings on the Historic Preservation Board, Human Relations Board, Nuisance Abatement Board and Newtown Community Redevelopment Agency Board.

Visit the Advisory Board webpage to apply!

Share your input to help shape the future of transportation in our city!

A public meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First St., as staff finalize the draft update to the Transportation Chapter of the Sarasota City Plan. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from staff and participate in discussions.

The updated Transportation Chapter emphasizes safety, multimodal connectivity, resilience and effective growth management, while maintaining the unique character of our neighborhoods.

This meeting represents the final opportunity for public input before the draft Transportation Chapter update proceeds to the Planning Board then the City Commission for consideration.  

Additional details about the Transportation Chapter update are available on the project webpage.

Crashes are stressful, chaotic and often frightening. But no matter the circumstances and no matter who caused it, leaving the scene of a crash is never the right decision. In Florida, it is a serious crime with consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life.

State law is clear: If you're involved in a crash, you're required to stop and remain at the scene. That obligation applies whether the crash involves property damage, injuries or a fatality. Panic, confusion or fear does not excuse leaving.

The penalties escalate quickly depending on the outcome of the crash. If a crash involves property damage only, leaving the scene is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. 

If someone is injured, leaving becomes a third-degree felony, carrying up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a $5,000 fine. 

When a crash results in death, leaving the scene is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of four years behind bars.

Even if you believe the crash was not your fault, the law requires you to stop. Checking on others involved, calling 911 and cooperating with law enforcement are not optional. They are legal and moral responsibilities.

Those few extra minutes at the scene matter. They can mean the difference between life and death for someone who needs immediate medical attention. They can prevent further injuries by alerting authorities to dangerous conditions. And, they can protect you from facing life-altering criminal charges. Driving comes with responsibility. 

Let’s all do our part to make Florida’s roads safer for ourselves and for one another.

One of the most influential entertainers in history comes to Sarasota when MJ, the multiple Tony Award®-winning musical, makes its Sarasota debut at the Van Wezel Feb. 3–8. Centered on the creation of Michael Jackson’s legendary 1992 Dangerous World Tour, the show goes beyond the signature moves and chart-topping hits to reveal the artistry and creative drive behind a global icon.

Created by Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ has dazzled audiences on Broadway, London’s West End, and across North America, and now it’s coming to the Van Wezel for the first time ever. Tickets are on sale now at VanWezel.org, grab yours before they’re gone!

And don’t forget…we’ll celebrate the new colorful mural in North Water Tower Park, “Harmony in Motion”, with a dedication ceremony at 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6  at the park, 4700 Rilma Ave. The piece highlights notable aspects of the park including nature imagery and the silhouette of a disc golfer. The artist, Edward James Walsh, is a Ringling College of Art + Design graduate and Bayou Oaks Neighborhood resident. Hope to see you at the dedication!

You’re invited to join a fun, family-friendly activity next month! PARKS Bingo runs from Feb. 1 – Feb. 28 and it’s open to all ages.

There are plenty of reasons to visit one of our beautiful parks or facilities—like the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, Arlington Recreation Center, and Payne Park Tennis Center—but we’re giving you even more incentive to check us out. Be inspired, keep working on your New Year’s resolutions, and join the fun with the Rec’ing Crew.

How to Play:

• Download a PARKS Bingo card
• Or pick one up at any of our Parks & Rec facilities.
• Complete a row, column, diagonal—or go for the full card!
• Claim your fun prize at any of the three facilities listed above.

Collect one prize or fill the entire card to win them all! Game cards are available now. Pick one up today and start playing PARKS Bingo!