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Hello Everyone,
When May turned to June, we happily welcomed our new City Manager, Karie Friling, as she moved into her office in City Hall. Karie shared that during her first week she had a breathtaking 54 meetings with Commissioners, department directors and staff as she started to get to know people and processes. She also visited City facilities as diverse and spread out as parks, utilities and solid waste handling. Within just a few days of her tenure, though, the Florida State Legislature approved placing an amendment on the November 3rd ballot that would significantly alter the property tax structure throughout Florida and affect what services may be paid for with property taxes. The only tax untouched in the proposed amendment is public schools. To say that the City Manager’s and your City Commissioners’ focus and priorities suddenly changed is an understatement!
Property taxes are the largest single source of funding for City operations. Over half the General Fund (51%) comes from property taxes, and public safety (Sarasota Police Department) expenditures use close to half (48%) of the Fund. The outcome of the November referendum could have such a significant effect on whether and how the City can deliver essential services that we can’t wait until November to start considering potential adjustments. Consequently, the City Manager has instructed department heads to look for efficiencies and new revenue streams, and to identify services and programs that can be reduced. The bottom line is: if this Constitutional Amendment Referendum passes — with at least 60% approval statewide — changes will have to be made.
This will be our primary discussion as the City Commission holds budget workshops on July 27 and 28. If the referendum passes, it would go into effect January 1, 2027 and impacts would start with the Fiscal Year 2028 budget. We must begin planning now.
Florida law limits the information that local governments may provide concerning state ballot measures. Our City is addressing FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on our website at www.SarasotaFL.gov/PropertyTaxes. Information will be updated as it becomes available. Are you interested in having one of us talk to your neighborhood group on facts about the referendum and/or the City’s budget? Send an email to Neighborhoods@SarasotaFL.gov.
As you start thinking about the referendum, there are two things to bear in mind: Savings and Costs. The referendum will save Homesteaded Property Owners money by increasing their homestead exemption. The resulting reduction in property tax revenue will force local governments to adjust their budgets, possibly with a combination of reduction in services, imposition of new fees, and a millage rate increase. Those new costs will likely affect everyone.
Wondering what could be affected? Property taxes fund everything from the police department to parks and recreation, street maintenance and repairs, landscaping, and administrative staff. Certain special-purpose property taxes are collected in limited areas to support The Bay Park, Downtown Improvement District, Golden Gate Point Streetscape Special District, and General Obligation Bond Debt. By the way, we don’t know yet what services Sarasota County might decide to eliminate, start charging the City for, or transfer to the city without providing funding.
OK! Let’s change the subject to happier news! PLEASE!
Everyone in City Hall is pleased that Karie Friling appointed Jennifer Jorgensen to be our new Deputy City Manager — and that Jennifer accepted the job! Jennifer did a terrific job serving as Interim City Manager for three months immediately prior to Karie’s arrival. We appreciate Jennifer’s dedication and professionalism, and look forward to working with her in this new role. Also noteworthy is that Karie has realigned the departments reporting to her and those reporting to Jennifer in a manner that takes advantage of their individual areas of expertise.
Another piece of good news just came from CNN. They named Sarasota one of America’s Best Towns to Visit. (Might I add that it’s still one of the best towns to live in?)
Those visitors will have an opportunity to join us at two notable special events this weekend which the City is co-sponsoring to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Check out the details below and visit our America250 webpage to learn about other celebrations in Sarasota. Also, please share your own experiences, memorable moments, and reflections on America250.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
All my best to you,
 Debbie Trice
Mayor
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City administrative offices will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
Garbage/recycling and yard waste collection schedules will not be affected.
The following City of Sarasota facilities will have varying hours in effect on Friday, July 3. All City facilities will be closed on Saturday, July 4.
For questions about garbage and recycling collection, visit the Solid Waste Division webpage at SarasotaFL.Gov or call 941-263-6170.
Sarasota will celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style with two patriotic, family-friendly events co-sponsored by the City:
Spirit of ’76 block party
When: Friday, July 3 | 7-10 p.m.
Where: Selby Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave.
Don't miss the “Light Up the Sky” interactive projection experience sponsored by the City’s Public Art Program (weather permitting)! Look for it during the Spirit of '76 celebration outside Selby Public Library.
Road closures will be in effect on July 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m.:
- 1st Street from Pineapple Avenue to Central Avenue
- Central Avenue from Main Street to 1st Street
4th of July Fireworks on the Bay
When: Saturday, July 4 | 9-9:18 p.m. (weather permitting)
Where: Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr.
Road closure: July 4 from 7-10:30 p.m.: Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) from S. Palm Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue
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Parking: On Saturday, July 4, parking at Bayfront Park and Island Park will be limited and the lot will close once capacity is reached. Parking is prohibited in the grassy area at the south end of Bayfront Park and in the median along John Ringling Boulevard. Motorists should obey all posted parking restrictions.
Following the 4th of July Fireworks event, attendees should expect traffic delays of up to one hour as coordinated traffic-control measures are implemented to safely move vehicles out of the downtown and bayfront areas.
Additional temporary road closure: Lemon Avenue will be closed from Main Street to Pineapple Avenue beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4, through 4 a.m. Sunday, July 5, for the Gator Club’s July 4 block party.
Thank you for contributing to a safe and fun holiday weekend as we celebrate America250!
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Heads up! A temporary closure of Van Wezel Way, between Boulevard of the Arts and the entrance to the Sarasota Garden Club, will begin Monday, July 6 as The Bay Park works to complete construction on Phase 2 of the park.
While the temporary closure is in effect, access will remain open to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and The Bay Park. Visitors can access these facilities via the north entrance to The Bay at 10th Street and Van Wezel Way.
Van Wezel Way is expected to fully reopen on Sept. 18 once Phase 2 is complete.
Learn about Phase 2 plans at https://www.thebaysarasota.org/park-features-phase-2/
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Paid and timed parking is now being enforced from 8 a.m. to midnight for on‑street parking spaces and 24 hours a day in City parking garages, Monday through Saturday. On Sundays, enforcement for both on‑street and garage parking will begin at 1 p.m.
All parking citation fines have increased by $5.
These adjustments were implemented to fully fund the Parking Division and support necessary improvements to parking infrastructure throughout the city. Parking rates remain the same. Don’t forget: to receive the free 10 minutes, you must start a parking session through the Park Mobile app or a parking kiosk.
For detailed information on parking hours, rates, and locations, visit www.SarasotaFL.gov/Parking
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Five micromobility hubs are being installed around the city as part of a pilot program funded with a federal grant. The locations will offer cycling amenities with a fun nod to Sarasota’s historic fruit-inspired street names.
Each hub will offer a bike rack and a bike repair kiosk with an air pump and QR code for accessing repair instructions. Fruit‑themed designs will complement the amenities and recognize the location's historic street name, such as Banana Avenue (now U.S. 41).
The first hub installed at Ringling Boulevard and S. School Avenue features strawberries, since Ringling was originally platted as Strawberry Avenue. Look for that hub just west of The Legacy Trail adjacent to the protected bike lane along Ringling.
Four other hub locations are planned including:
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Maple Avenue
- Main Street and Orange Avenue
- U.S. 41 and Bayfront Drive
The hub sites were identified based on community need and part of a data-driven process to carry out the City’s Transportation Master Plan, Sarasota in Motion.
Funding for this pilot micromobility program was provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
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City of Sarasota residents can register to participate in the Neighborhood Canopy Program beginning July 6.
The program offers City residents a professionally installed, 2‑inch caliper tree planted between the front of their home and the street. Participants pay just $100, while the City covers the remaining cost, up to $500, through the Tree Mitigation Fund, which reinvests a portion of tree‑removal permit fees into growing Sarasota’s urban canopy.
Neighborhood Canopy Program participants can choose from 10 species:
- green buttonwood
- gumbo-limbo
- live oak
- D. Blanchard magnolia
- redbay
- royal poinciana
- shady lady black olive
- southern red cedar
- sycamore
- winged elm
Registration closes Monday, August 17, and plantings will take place between August 31 and September 21.
Beyond beautifying the community, planting trees helps cool neighborhoods, reduce energy use, clean the air, filter stormwater, and provide habitat for wildlife. It’s a small step with big community benefits!
Registration opens July 6: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/97739db4a79e43bba894cc7e31c22a62
Questions? Email NeighborhoodCanopyProgram@SarasotaFL.gov
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Mayor Trice, Commissioner Battie, and staff from the Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development joined Habitat for Humanity Sarasota recently to celebrate a milestone moment for two local families as they received the keys to their newly completed homes.
Over the past two years, Habitat for Humanity has transformed five properties along 41st Street, constructing and renovating homes for low-income, first-time homebuyers. This work was made possible through approximately $1.47 million in Federal and State grant funding administered by the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development.
These investments continue to expand access to affordable homeownership in our community. Thank you to everyone who took part in welcoming Sarasota’s newest homeowners and supporting this impactful partnership.
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Explore local history with the latest edition of the City’s Cultural Heritage Exhibit! The “Echoes of Sarasota” installation is now on display with 16 works at City Hall and three at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
As communities around the country reflect on their shared heritage in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, this exhibit offers visitors the chance to learn about the people, places, and traditions that have come to shape Sarasota’s character.
 From the earliest Indigenous communities to the City’s growth as a vibrant cultural destination, the collection covers over 1,000 years of regional history. Eye-catching, mural-size pieces by two featured artists highlight well-known stories and historical details that invite further exploration. Frank Hopper’s lifelike paintings show the determination of early settlers while Regan Dunnick’s pastel drawings illustrate snapshots of key people, artifacts, and moments in our history. At City Hall, paintings by legacy Sarasota artists are displayed alongside these large-scale works.
The exhibition is presented by the City in partnership with Thomsen Fine Art, and supporting artwork is provided by Arts Advocates.
Plans are in the works for an “Echoes of Sarasota” opening reception. Stay tuned for details!
Learn more: www.Sarasotafl.gov/Echoes-of-Sarasota
Newly announced and on sale now! Comedy legend Ron White is coming to the Van Wezel on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Best known as “Tater Salad” from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, White has become one of America’s most celebrated comedians, earning Grammy nominations, multiple #1 comedy albums, and starring roles in some of Comedy Central’s highest-rated specials. Don’t miss an evening of sharp wit and unforgettable stories from this bestselling author and comedy icon.
Tickets are on sale now at VanWezel.org.
This performance is for ages 18+ only.
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Are you or someone you know interested? Visit Sarasotafl.gov to apply online and see other employment opportunities with the City of Sarasota.
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Monday, July 6 | 9 a.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, July 8 | 1:30 p.m.
City Hall | Commission Chambers
Agenda
Wednesday, July 8 | 5 p.m.
Robert L. Taylor Community Complex | 1845 34th St.
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"Sarasota Scene"
Norm Schimmel
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