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Commission approves pilot medallion program for charter boats, capped initially at 60 with up to 100 allowed
Summary
The commission approved a one‑year pilot permit (medallion) program for small OUPV "6‑pack" charter and tour operators divided into North and South zones; staff proposed a minimum bid and estimated minimum revenue but warned enforcement and site capacity will govern implementation.
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners voted Jan. 27 to approve a one‑year pilot permit program for small commercial water‑based operators, authorizing staff to begin solicitation and implementation with an initial cap of 60 permits (30 North / 30 South) and authority to expand up to 100 as capacity becomes available.
Parks Director Nicole Rissler presented the program background, rules and proposed locations. The task force that recommended the program proposed geographic zones, a bidding process modeled on the county’s existing commercial recreation tour operator (CRTO) program, and a suggested minimum annual bid of $1,200 per permit. Rissler said the pilot is meant to balance enforcement, public access and support for small operators while recovering program costs and funding enforcement and education. Staff estimated minimum gross revenue of $72,000 at the $1,200 floor and stated that actual bids typically exceed the minimum; staff also presented an expense estimate that included one full‑time program manager, contract enforcement and program materials.
The pilot would limit permits to United States Coast Guard OUPV (6‑pack) operators and would be administered by Parks with coordination from the sheriff and code enforcement. Because several proposed park sites remain partially closed or constrained after 2024 storms and repairs, Rissler recommended a smaller initial rollout; the board adopted staff’s recommendation but included authority to add capacity later without returning for an additional policy vote.
Commissioners discussed enforcement, fairness to existing businesses, and whether to use a competitive bid versus a flat fee. Several commissioners said they preferred starting conservatively while the county restores full park capacity and agreed that the pilot should be reviewed after its first year. Commissioner Nundor moved approval of the pilot with authority to implement up to 100 permits; the motion passed 5–0.
What happens next: Parks staff will finalize the solicitation, prepare contracts, and conduct outreach to eligible operators; the county will track enforcement incidents and return with a one‑year review and recommendations on expansion or adjustments.
