Scores of residents urged Sarasota County commissioners to expand planned dredging in Phillippi Creek to include side channels, oxbows and coves, saying a narrow ‘‘high‑spot’’ cut would be only a temporary fix. Commissioners heard detailed public testimony during the open public comment period and later in a stormwater briefing that the county is preparing to begin high‑spot work. After the briefing, the board unanimously directed staff to solicit bids and pricing for expanding dredging — with operational limits to reduce seawall risk — and to return with cost estimates for the commission to approve.

Why it matters: Residents and homeowners described repeated boat strandings, sediment islands in oxbows and standing water after storms. Several speakers said the county has allocated HUD resilient SRQ funds that, they said, were intended to be used for a comprehensive restoration of the creek’s full width — not only a narrow channel. County modeling shows a 50‑foot cut provides measurable flood‑reduction benefits in portions of the creek, but staff said the modeling is only 1 tool and does not account for site‑specific sediment shoals in oxbows.

What the board heard: At least a dozen speakers from the Phillippi Creek Coalition and neighborhood groups asked commissioners to add oxbows and coves to the permit and to allow homeowners to coordinate directly with contractors where permitted. Stormwater staff said the county holds core permits for work up to certain points and must modify permits and contract language to use HUD funds, which have additional environmental reporting and procurement requirements. Commissioners pressed staff on schedule risk, permitting steps and likely cost ranges.

Board action and next steps: Commissioner Michael Smith moved that staff solicit bids and estimates for an expanded dredge footprint that would approach seawall setbacks but include a design offset of about 15 feet from private seawalls in order to reduce the risk of undermining. The board passed the motion unanimously and asked staff to return with vendor pricing, separate line‑item estimates for oxbows/coves, an explanation of permit modification needs, and an approach for homeowner coordination.

What staff said: Stormwater staff said they have bathymetry and hydraulic modeling for the main channel and high‑spot areas, and that additional survey or site‑by‑site plans would be used to scope oxbows and smaller side channels. Staff said some existing county and WCIND contracts were written to the current permits; work requiring HUD funding will need permit and contract modifications and the HUD environmental documentation before award.

Voices: ‘‘Allow the contractor to get with the homeowners because there are some homeowners who may want dredging right near their seawall,’’ said resident David Scott during public comment. Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine told the board the 50‑foot, 4‑foot‑deep option produces measurable flood‑reduction benefits in key reaches but noted oxbow impacts are site‑specific.

Why residents still worry: Speakers described areas where channel cuts leave sediment islands that continue to block drainage; several urged the county to use all available resilient SRQ funds to address the ‘‘whole creek’’ from the mouth to Benita Road. Staff emphasized the board’s direction and timeline will shape whether HUD requirements slow or alter procurement that is already underway.

What to watch for: staff return with a menu of contract options, line‑item pricing for oxbow/cove dredges, permit‑modification schedule, and a recommended homeowner coordination protocol.