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Sarasota County creates Siesta Key Beautification Task Force, sets 24‑month timeline and adds two at‑large members
Summary
The Sarasota County Commission on May 19 approved a resolution forming a Siesta Key Beautification Task Force, modifying staff recommendations to set a 24‑month sunset and add two at‑large appointees; the board emphasized public outreach, a coordination MOU, and vetting for members.
The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously on May 19 to create a Siesta Key Beautification Task Force, approving staff's advisory framework with two key changes: the board shortened the maximum timeline to 24 months from staff's proposed 18 months' baseline but preserved the board's authority to extend, and it added two at‑large members to the five commissioner appointments.
County administration explained the task force would operate in an advisory capacity, reviewing corridors, landscaping, signage, beach access, and other appearance-related items and returning periodic updates and a final written report. Eileen Duck, who presented the proposal, said meetings would comply with Florida's Sunshine Law and that planning and development services would provide staff support.
Public commenters and several commissioners urged modifications before the board's final action. Natalie Gutwein of the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance submitted written amendments asking the board to adopt an existing, privately funded Atwell/RVI study as a foundational reference, extend the sunset to allow permitting and construction to proceed, require a coordination MOU between the county administrator and the task force chair, and pause any substantive hires until the MOU was in place. Other residents raised concerns about comp‑plan language, taxes associated with district options, and exclusions for participants involved in litigation.
Commission debate focused on the timeline and membership structure. Commissioner Smith said he preferred a shorter timeline to keep the group moving; Commissioner Mast and Commissioner Knight argued for more runway and for alternates to avoid service gaps among volunteer appointees. Commissioners ultimately agreed that five members would be appointed individually by each commissioner and two additional members would be selected at‑large after an application process. The board directed staff to verify eligibility and vet nominees before confirmation.
The motion to approve the resolution as presented, amended to set a 24‑month sunset and add two at‑large positions, passed 5–0. Commissioners said they expect the task force to return monthly updates and that the board retains discretion to revisit the timeline and membership during the task force's term.
Next steps include the county posting the application process for the two at‑large appointments and staff preparing an MOU template to clarify roles and communications between the task force and county administration.
