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County appoints stormwater advisers, approves $10 million for repairs and names new director
Summary
Sarasota County approved appointments to its Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee, adopted a $10 million stormwater budget amendment to fund immediate maintenance and repairs, and county administration announced an accepted offer to hire Ben Quartermaine as stormwater director.
Sarasota County commissioners on July 8 made three near‑term decisions aimed at accelerating stormwater response after recent storms: they appointed two advisory members to the Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee, adopted a $10 million fiscal‑year 2025 budget amendment to fund emergency stormwater repair and maintenance, and county administration disclosed it had made and received an accepted offer for a new stormwater director.
Appointments: The board appointed Susan Schulte Gumb and Becky Ash to fill two at‑large seats on the Stormwater Environmental Utility Advisory Committee; commissioners agreed to re‑advertise the remaining seat to seek technical expertise such as hydrology or stormwater engineering. Commissioner Mark Smith moved to appoint Schulte Gumb and Ash and later amended to withdraw William Samuels from nomination after staff noted he is a litigant in a flooding lawsuit involving the county; the amended motion passed unanimously.
Budget action: The board adopted budget amendment B2025‑56 to appropriate $10,000,000 for stormwater system infrastructure maintenance, repair and restoration. Public works director Spencer Anderson told commissioners that earmarked projects will include repairs along Phillippi Creek, Donna Bay phases, stormwater rehabilitation projects, and Avenue A/Legacy Trail mitigation options; he said some previously planned capital work will be delayed to free funds for immediate maintenance. Commissioners said the appropriation will enable urgent debris removal, ditch and swale repairs, dredging and other fixes and requested staff prioritize projects with immediate impacts on flood‑prone neighborhoods.
Staffing and next steps: County administrator Jonathan Lewis told the board an offer to hire Ben Quartermaine as stormwater director was accepted and that Quartermaine will transition from his current employer before starting with the county. Lewis also said the county is exploring outside technical consultants to speed permitting and regulatory work, and plans to run crews seven days a week where feasible. Public works staff will return with project timing and a list of delayed capital projects so the board and affected neighborhoods understand schedule changes.
Ending: The board’s unanimous actions provide immediate funds for stormwater repairs and put a new director in place to coordinate repairs and permitting; staff will report back with prioritized project lists, timelines and any further funding needs.
