[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461637,"mediaKeyId","5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f","parentId",5823524,"title","University of Florida Innovation Station reports internships, hires; county to discuss contract extension later","audioSeconds",1992,"startMs",4115000,"endMs",6107000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f&start=4115&end=6107","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f/thumbnail_4115000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461637/Sarasota-County/Florida/University-of-Florida-Innovation-Station-reports-internships-hires-county-to-discuss-contract-extension-later","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461637-e16de57f4c5172e02ec42c3f0c2dcc9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155489&Signature=d5RRoIvsBeQvaoIGc1Q0TgXSbkEFKOvqOWFNz0dfmrnsITMPozn2JlraUqHSsM5v9k~YnxM7CfVe40Mf6PsQNarG0EBQihev0rzEO-ei6XcFYgp5wg2ZEw~K1Nh~6ykF03hkCcMHkPA6xD8zaY2F2bL03-6KTTevv0ix1Eq3G~0p45OIrnkBkQoapY22FZAd61CIMoRkKCSIkmxMjlLlzOQKIHkuMhaIax1UvsrRjH9-XJ3gKP6weacdTOUMRIVJyR7LNNVXrciG8Faz8RCPfYx4x5IrkSKO3V11LVdbEFBjfTW2FCgQDV~bLbUCLGx53N2euz~EN88EzjG1xNnm-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sarasota County","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","County officials received a year-end update from the University of Florida Innovation Station covering July 2024–June 2025 and plans for the coming year, including student outreach, internships and local hiring outcomes.

Alan Carlson, regional director for UF Innovation Station, told the Board of County Commissioners the program has placed interns with local companies and helped create pathways for students from State College of Florida and other community colleges to continue engineering degrees at UF. Carlson highlighted outcomes: 91 internships filled in the most recent summer with 43 local companies and 55 full-time local hires since the program began (numbers presented to commissioners). He described programs that expose K–12 students to STEM and that place university students in local internships to retain talent in the region.

Contract extension request: Carlson said the Innovation Station agreement runs through September 2026 and the university is seeking a two-year extension while Gainesville leadership settles in after several administrative transitions. Commissioner Mast moved to extend the contract for two years; Rob Lewis, director of government relations, said an explicit motion was unnecessary because staff will bring a formal extension proposal back under the county administrator with appropriate language. Board members indicated general support for continuing the partnership but took no formal vote to extend during the Sept. 24 meeting.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the Innovation Station helps local employers recruit engineering talent and supports K–12 and community-college pathways into UF. Commissioners noted the program’s role in workforce-development and urged continued collaboration, possible expansion of transfer partnerships and inclusion in upcoming workforce and housing discussions to keep graduates in the county.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sarasota County - BCC-Regular","oneSentenceSummary","University of Florida regional director reported internship placements and local hires from UF programs; UF requested a two-year extension of the Innovation Station agreement, and county staff said a formal extension will be brought back for board action rather than acting immediately.","taxTitle","Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",2880,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461641,"Hermitage Artist Retreat and Sarasota County clash over storm repairs and a land-conveyance proposal; board to consider options Oct. 8",3855,8837000,12692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f&start=8837&end=12692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f/thumbnail_8837000.jpg","/articles/6461641/Sarasota-County/Florida/Hermitage-Artist-Retreat-and-Sarasota-County-clash-over-storm-repairs-and-a-land-conveyance-proposal-board-to-consider-options-Oct-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461641-74358600ca91ce43f3f157a90556ffed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155489&Signature=HBD4sBW27lHbyAM~ggdzID2VzxXYosnOjPvHLjEPpvPTcOqMby5Qm1u8RgCLQBALoVtsV3mHvpehp2YrWLokEXAoZJpXqOdRUeX8n9M-WMzyTMI1z-sijpcSt6SURTiMSphQjuGn1wjkXLHzbG8lxGuLxx2~oCSw-ogZPuhpIjeK6xo1KhCplV3PWJM4HsWfreIytDAj2BGnQcbZwaOC-W8jMGn2loYHqWJY9sZnIiwgb3CpAgFdC7lBDRjL3ZJjysU-d3ay0gBppeR8s7~6ekA20O2tMLmAZWXkmOT4nyoZx4RVDLD4x5oGxal0eBE3Phai6o8IuyejAbFABGxnSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarasota County commissioners spent the better part of the morning discussing the Hermitage Artist Retreat at Blind Pass Beach Park, a county-owned 61-acre property that includes a cluster of historically designated structures used by the nonprofit Hermitage. Commissioners heard that multiple structures remain unoccupiable after three hurricanes struck the county last year and that different repair-delivery options and legal constraints will affect timing, cost and reimbursement eligibility.

The county and the Hermitage are at odds over who should manage and pay for repairs. Under a 2024 lease amendment, county staff said the county is positioned to direct post-disaster recovery for county-owned property in order to maximize FEMA reimbursement; Hermitage representatives argued their organization has qualified contractors and a lower-cost path to reopen parts of the campus sooner.

Damage and timeline: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Director Nicole Ristler and consultant reports summarized the damage: about six feet of sand covered the campus after the storms; utilities including the lift station, electrical service and sewage pumps were destroyed and require full replacement; four buildings remain nonoccupiable. Ristler said sand and debris removal and some stabilization work were completed in late 2024 and early 2025, but county staff still needs formal design, permitting and historical-review approvals before full restoration can proceed. She said a realistic minimum timeline from design to completion would be at least one year once design and permitting are approved.

Two repair options presented to the board: Option 1, county-led restoration using the county’s existing design–build contractor (A Squared Group) so work follows FEMA procurement rules and maximizes potential reimbursement. Option 2, permit the Hermitage to manage and fund repairs itself and relieve the county’s design–build contractor of the work. County staff said either option will require state, local and historical preservation approvals that affect schedule.

Hermitage’s position: Hermitage board and staff representatives said they have bids and contractors ready and offered to conduct repairs themselves. CEO Andy Sandberg told the board the Hermitage had submitted bids and proposed using a contractor familiar with the campus; he said one construction bid would be under $400,000 with electrical work under $100,000 and asked the county to authorize repairs quickly. Private counsel Steven Solowski reminded commissioners that the lease requires the county to “direct the recovery and restoration efforts of County owned property in a reasonable time” and that the county has obligations as landlord independent of FEMA timing.

Legal and land-use constraints: Planning Director Matt Osterhoud reviewed the surplus/land-disposition process and zoning implications if the county were to convey the land to a private nonprofit. He said the county would need to order appraisals (two have been requested), and any future sale would have to follow Florida statutory notice requirements for properties inside a community redevelopment area. He also noted the Manasota Key Conservation District (a state-designated overlay from 1971) restricts nonresidential uses inside its boundaries and that some uses now in place may predate that district’s creation; staff needs to research whether current Hermitage uses are legally “existing” under the conservation overlay before the board could consider rezoning or a sale.

Board direction and next steps: Commissioners did not take a final vote. Staff said it would return for a discussion item on Oct. 8 to request clear direction on whether to (a) proceed with the county-driven design–build restoration, (b) authorize the Hermitage to assume repair responsibility, (c) open negotiations on a purchase and sale and (d) which parcel(s) — the building complex footprint, the neighborhood-parkland parcel purchased with public funds in 2014, or the entire leased area — would be included. Ristler told the board county appraisals are ordered and a complete cost-and-timeline estimate from the county design–build contractor requires engineering and permitting and will take additional time.

Public comment: Hermitage leadership and local residents addressed the board during the meeting’s public portion. Hermitage representatives requested quicker action and expressed willingness to collaborate on legal and permitting questions; nonprofit leaders said the organization’s contractors are experienced with the campus. Several residents urged the board to expedite repairs.

What’s next: Staff will bring the matter back Oct. 8 with appraisals, a proposed path for repairs (county-led or Hermitage-led) and recommended language should the board want to pursue surplus and conveyance steps. County staff emphasized that FEMA and historic-preservation approvals will shape cost-reimbursement and timing regardless of the repair-delivery approach.","Board discussion centered on extensive Hurricane damage to the Hermitage Artist Retreat campus, two repair-delivery options, and a July land-conveyance proposal from the Hermitage. No board decision was made; staff will return Oct. 8 with follow-up options and appraisals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461646,"Sarasota County adopts Safe Streets for All safety action plan to pursue federal implementation grants",2192,1897000,4089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f&start=1897&end=4089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f/thumbnail_1897000.jpg","/articles/6461646/Sarasota-County/Florida/Sarasota-County-adopts-Safe-Streets-for-All-safety-action-plan-to-pursue-federal-implementation-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461646-38fe03d09e177dc871bc34c60e3f39f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155489&Signature=JUoQda5rekYiUqKegHlUZXc2J6u~u1iqf4E0hYyLMPRr1crumnyfcut6DDIdEgoGfFBksSzBzkaOJ3BUD0Dh4hxTzX~-xm3HbgPlH8JFVv2A3fQrjcwpmt6cXAEuE5BcYIa4ZLUOUaaBDU1GFr6tbZfiQu2n9eyKNArdY8BjKyg08GqYpeJlSARItku3ptIQ20TrgLBrGbnKL9gOS8Rt6GxYo84ZgoZFgvUclVbUvWVphO3w0ukjLDCIXakYBUoUjV20Q8-7~WW6BC2dxAJs7IgK07dnZugqizj4taWVcayR4AR81hI2RSItmW8U-uocoHKlm3Ykae06nyboU10Vvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarasota County on Wednesday adopted a countywide safety action plan developed through a federal Safe Streets for All (SS4A) planning grant, a step county staff said will make the county eligible to pursue implementation funding for roadway safety projects.

The plan, approved unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners, identifies priority focus areas — speed management, vulnerable road users, roadway lighting, aging road users and impaired driving — and a package of evidence-based countermeasures staff said are proven to reduce fatal and serious-injury crashes.

The plan matter-of-factly positions Sarasota County to seek implementation grants. “The safety action plan . . . positions our county to be able to, apply for implementation grants, that can go towards many of our projects that we have,” Interim Senior Transportation Manager Paula Wiggins told the board during the Sept. 24 presentation.

Why it matters: The SS4A program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation is a primary national funding source for local roadway safety projects. County staff said other Florida jurisdictions that completed comparable plans later secured multimillion-dollar implementation awards; the plan is a prerequisite for SS4A implementation funding.

What the plan found: Consultants and county analysts examined five years of crash data and identified nearly 1,800 fatal or incapacitating crashes in that period. Chris Keller, a consultant with Benesch who presented the technical findings, said pedestrian crashes were the single largest crash type associated with fatalities and that more than half of fatal crashes occurred during nighttime conditions. He said roadways with posted speeds of 45–55 mph accounted for nearly half of county fatal crashes.

Keller described the plan’s “safe systems” approach, which shifts emphasis from eliminating all crashes to reducing crash severity through combinations of engineering, speed management, education and improved post-crash response. He outlined proven countermeasures the Federal Highway Administration recommends — enhanced crosswalk visibility, medians and refuge islands, sidewalks, access management and lighting — and said those treatments are the kinds of projects grant reviewers expect to see in implementation applications.

Board discussion: Commissioners broadly praised the plan and asked staff to focus on high-priority corridors and keep the county’s aging-driver demographics in mind when designing treatments. Commissioner Mast noted concerns on I-75 but accepted staff’s explanation that interstate improvements require coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation. Commissioner Smith pressed staff on crosswalk visibility and local disagreements about crosswalk graphics; Keller and Wiggins recommended high-visibility markings combined with lighting and maintenance of pavement markings to ensure effectiveness.

The vote: Commissioner Mast moved approval; Commissioner Smith seconded. The plan passed unanimously, with the chair voting aye.

What’s next: Staff will use the plan to prioritize projects and to bundle applications for SS4A and other federal funding programs such as Safe Routes to School and Highway Safety Improvement Program grants. County staff estimated it will take additional engineering, design and funding work to move individual countermeasures to construction.","The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted the 2025 Safe Streets for All (SS4A) safety action plan, a data-driven strategy to reduce fatal and serious-injury crashes and position the county to apply for federal implementation funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461634,"At a glance: Sarasota County commission votes, Sept. 24, 2025",5413,1587000,7000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f&start=1587&end=7000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823524-f547f791ad79e7569df355e99d622c0f/thumbnail_1587000.jpg","/articles/6461634/Sarasota-County/Florida/At-a-glance-Sarasota-County-commission-votes-Sept-24-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461634-b7a2362e581ca730b5b348d6f4df0755/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155489&Signature=BxIlRFm6l8UmHNbNo9JpArEeyJEtO1ysjJtMfE8wiTSw25RycMBLnwvLwVEezFVKFLkTDW0oL9QR-6PJWnhNDpIUYGH84Cntg8e8625JNRTJA9R~z8BZUnKXoDGFV7X9QAUdJJ5l1E3nN0ZUQtccP3I3-GH2bnusvCT6PlPELIGuhwakg85ZHRoMckEzaFMGmBBKZbzWtqhpFcZn19W~wczN8J322M3LiwaezujrEli6zG3fdQyUugqA~CwKjhN-QwmoNaPu4~MxbGnaj8gze~Ndb0ld1Uw~-6zU3DIoJg2PQ3HmBQoUD6kLVOHzTUXzGiiJQfdh6p6VQnFf7-rTHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners took multiple formal actions during its Sept. 24 meeting. Key votes and procedural outcomes are summarized below.

Consent and financial actions
- Consent calendar: Commissioners approved consent items covering routine contracts and awards with corrections noted (vote to approve consent items 2–30, excluding item 9 and with item 8 updated by the county administrator). Motion carried unanimously.
- Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable (Consent Item 16): The board approved a resolution to write off $4,169,568.13 in uncollectible accounts receivable for emergency services and public utilities. Kim Radke, director of the Office of Financial Management, said the write-off is an accounting policy after receivables are outstanding three years; collection efforts continue despite the write-off. Motion by Commissioner Mast; second by Commissioner Smith; passed unanimously.

Appointments
- Tourist Development Council appointments (Item 31): The board appointed Leon Thibault (involved-in-tourism representative) and Michael Holderness (collector-of-tax representative) to four-year terms; no vote was required after nominations were made on the floor.
- Environmentally Sensitive Lands Oversight Committee (Item 32): Wendy Ying was nominated and confirmed as the business development representative for the oversight committee; no further vote was required after nomination.

Public hearings and resolutions
- UF/IFAS Extension and Gardens grant (Items 35a & 35b): The board adopted a resolution confirming Sarasota County Extension’s public purpose to support submittal of a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) grant application, and authorized submission of the FDACS grant application seeking $1,384,710 for extension-facility expansion. Motion passed unanimously.
- Street vacation SV25-05 (Item 36): The board adopted a resolution approving vacation of a 6,018-square-foot unnamed platted right-of-way known as Burr Lane in the Amended Plat of Inglewood Park. Motion passed unanimously.

Other formal actions
- County attorney litigation authorization (Item 39): Commissioners authorized the county attorney to file suit to enforce a restitution order against a named individual following a property-damage criminal matter related to Shamrock Park; motion passed unanimously.

Plan and policy outcomes
- 2025 Sarasota County Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan (Item 23): The board adopted the county’s SS4A safety action plan, making Sarasota eligible to pursue SS4A implementation grants for safety countermeasures. Motion passed unanimously.

How motions passed: Multiple motions were moved and seconded by commissioners listed in meeting minutes; where a motion was required it carried unanimously or as noted in the meeting record.","Summary of formal actions taken by the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 24, 2025, including consent approvals, write-offs, public hearings and plan adoptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

University of Florida Innovation Station reports internships, hires; county to discuss contract extension later

Hermitage Artist Retreat and Sarasota County clash over storm repairs and a land-conveyance proposal; board to consider options Oct. 8

Sarasota County adopts Safe Streets for All safety action plan to pursue federal implementation grants

At a glance: Sarasota County commission votes, Sept. 24, 2025