Sarasota County

An all-terrain EcoRover wheelchair can be the difference between someone actually having access to nature and only dreaming of it.

Mark Cunningham becomes the highest-ranking official to step down in the wake of revelations about widespread failures in the county's stormwater system. County officials did not disclose the reason for his leaving.

The county is moving quickly to make stormwater its own department, rather than a division within public works, as it hired Ben Quartermaine as the director. The job posting included a salary up to $180,000 per year.

County projections show that by 2028, expenses will outpace revenues by $31.6 million. The deficit climbs to nearly $41 million the next year and remains above $39 million into 2030.

When Debby hit, Sarasota's stormwater system proved dangerously unprepared — not because the system was overwhelmed, but because those in charge neglected to protect it, an investigation by Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight found.

The current president and CEO, Rick Piccolo, will retire in October after three decades in Sarasota.

Residents of Pinellas and Sarasota counties will be able to fill as many as 10 sandbags at a number of locations in the next few days.

Stormwater activities are currently managed under a division within the Public Works Department.

People whose homes were damaged in Hurricanes Ian, Debby, Helene and Milton in Sarasota County are urged to apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket repair costs.

A Sarasota-area community’s effort to save its golf course by forming a special-purpose government district and issuing $24 million in public bonds has devolved into a bitter, yearslong feud over cost, governance and transparency.

A public records request revealed USF leadership was willing to make the proposed transfer, which did not end up in bill form this legislative session.

Many residents believe the county has fallen short on its duty to remove sediment and vegetation from creeks, ditches and drains that keeps heavy rains from causing massive flooding.