Sarasota commissioners direct staff to pursue jail expansion options, eyeing voter referendum in 2026

The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously Jan. 28 to direct staff to continue detailed study of two options for replacing and expanding jail capacity at the county correctional campus and to prepare material for a possible 2026 voter referendum.

The commission’s action follows a presentation from County Capital Projects Director Brad Gobitz and corrections staff that summarized a months-long review of 14 scenarios and carried forward three favored approaches. The board instructed staff to drill down on “Option 2” and “Option 3” — both of which keep the new courthouse/jail work within the existing campus footprint while differing in where the criminal justice complex sits — and return with detailed cost estimates, financing analysis and referendum language.

Why it matters: County officials and the Sheriff’s Office said jail population growth and longer lengths of stay have left the county chronically short of secure beds. The Sheriff’s Office presented population projections showing the jail already operating hundreds of beds above its operational capacity and warned that building only a smaller reintegration facility (about 300 beds) would leave the county back under capacity within a decade. Staff told commissioners an approved voter referendum would be required to fund the larger campus replacement and jail expansion under the timelines shown.

What the board voted to do - Motion: proceed with further study of Options 2 and 3 for the correctional campus, with staff to refine cost estimates, return financial analysis and prepare referendum…