The Sarasota County Commission approved a $3,500 lump-sum pay award for both the county administrator and the county attorney, voting 4–1 on a motion to provide the payment to the two employees.

Context: Commissioners opened with a discussion about the county’s review process for senior positions and whether the board should change how performance evaluations are conducted and publicly documented. Several commissioners said they favored one-on-one discussions and a possible process review at the board’s December retreat, but that a modest, one-time recognition of the top two employees was appropriate now. Concerns about optics and the county’s budgeting pressures were raised by multiple members.

Action taken: Commissioner Cutsinger moved — and Commissioner Knight seconded — a motion to provide a $3,500 lump-sum increase to the county administrator; the motion was extended to include the county attorney as well. The motion passed by a 4–1 vote, with the chair casting the dissenting vote.

What was said: Commissioners emphasized that the award was modest, publicly transparent and not an ongoing formula; several members said they would not support larger salary increases at this time because of budget uncertainty. The board additionally requested staff consider process improvements for evaluations in the coming year.

Implementation: Staff will process lump-sum payments consistent with county payroll rules and record the action in the fiscal-year personnel records.