The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners met on September 24, 2025, to discuss the ongoing hurricane repair and restoration efforts at the Hermitage Campus, as well as a proposal for land conveyance. Nicole Ressler, the director of Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, presented an overview of the situation, highlighting the extensive damage caused by three hurricanes that struck the area last year.

Ressler detailed the timeline of recovery efforts, noting that initial cleanup began shortly after Hurricane Milton made landfall. Key repairs, including stabilization of the Whitney House and restoration of utilities, have been ongoing, but four structures on the campus remain uninhabitable due to extensive damage. The county is currently working with a design-build contractor, A Squared Group, to assess and plan for further repairs, but the timeline for complete restoration is still uncertain, with estimates suggesting a minimum of one year for full recovery.

Two options for moving forward were presented to the board. The first option involves continuing with the county's design-build contractor to manage the restoration process, ensuring compliance with FEMA guidelines for potential reimbursement. The second option would transfer the responsibility for repairs to the Hermitage Artist Retreat, allowing them to manage the restoration at their own expense. Both options will require state and local permitting, which could affect the timeline.

The meeting also included discussions about the contractual obligations of the county regarding the repair work and the potential for bringing in additional contractors to expedite the process. Commissioners expressed concerns about the exclusivity of the current contracts and the challenges posed by the permitting process.

The board is expected to revisit this topic in two weeks, allowing time for further consideration of the presented options and the implications of the Hermitage's recent communications regarding reimbursement expectations. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the future of the Hermitage Campus and its restoration efforts.