County to seek receivership for failing Bee Ridge wastewater system after operator stops service

Sarasota County's Board of County Commissioners on April 8 authorized staff to pursue legal receivership for the Bee Ridge wastewater franchise after the private operator informed the county it would cease operations and the lone certified operator resigned.

Why it matters: Bee Ridge provides wastewater service to 71 customers (43 Parkstone condominiums and 28 commercial customers at Bee Ridge Medical Center). County staff said the franchise lacked a valid franchise agreement because the operator did not legally own or lease the property where the utility sits; the county fined the operator $300 monthly prior to the operator’s notification that it would stop service.

Immediate public-health response Public Utilities Director Brooke Bailey reported last week the system began spilling and county staff deployed an emergency contract crew to pump down the facility; county crews continued daily pumping and support after the certified operator left. Bailey said the county issued a formal failing notice under county code (citing section 126.131) and that the operator notified the county it could not maintain operations.

Board action Commissioner Mast moved and the board seconded a directive for staff to file for receivership; the motion passed unanimously. The county will ask a court to appoint a receiver to take over utility operations in order to protect customers and public health while the county evaluates next steps.

Next steps and public assurances The county’s public utilities team said it will pursue receivership under the cited local statute to secure continuity of wastewater service and address spills. County staff underscored that the county does not intend to permanently own the system if another responsible operator can be identified; the receivership step is to stabilize operations and protect customers and public health.