2027 CPF Requests
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Here are some contacts at FEMA that should be helpful if you or the town would like to do some direct outreach.
Main Region 4 Inbox:
FEMA-R4-Info@fema.dhs.gov
Intergovernmental Affairs:
FEMA-IGA@fema.dhs.gov
I should also note that the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) is such a core part of FEMA’s payment model that it may be worth reaching out to them on Monday.
Adam Cross
Longboat Key
2027 CPF Requests
To: Adam Cross
Thanks Adam – good info. I am wearing multiple hats in DC in June – one being the Chair of the FL League of Cities Federal Task Force so there may be some opportunities to see some of our other FL representatives.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
2027 CPF Requests
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
The CPF process is uniquely Member-driven and district-focused, but I have had conversations with a few friends on staff at the THUD Subcommittee to highlight the Buchanan projects. Rep. Steube’s request is with the Interior-Environment subcommittee, so we mentioned Longboat’s request to Subcommittee Chairman Simpson at lunch last month.
Rep. Mario-Diaz-Balart is the Committee’s Vice Chair. Rep. Scott Franklin is the only other Florida Republican on the Committee. Democrats from Florida will likely be thinking about prioritizing competing water projects in South Florida (they have a few), but they include Rep. Wasserman-Schultz and Rep. Frankel.
Last year and the year before, nearly all requests were funded at a lower amount than the original request. The only exceptions to this were projects that were essentially State requests being routed through a single Member, but with the support of a larger group. This is due to overall spending cuts and the self-imposed rule that only 0.5% of all discretionary funding can be used for CPFs. However, Democratic requests saw the biggest cuts, while Republican requests were mostly preserved.
Because this process is so Member-driven, many Committee Members are reluctant to promote one over the other unless the pressure comes from the Requesting Member’s office (i.e. Sami). So staying in contact with Sami is the right way to go.
Adam Cross
Longboat Key
2027 CPF Requests
To: Adam Cross
Any House Appropriations members I can reach out to? I have not pulled up the committee yet. Sami is in regular contact with me so I will let you know if there is any other news. Thanks, BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Visit Sarasota update
To: Longboat Key Commission
Please find below our March tourism performance update for Sarasota County, provided to us from Downs and St. Germain Research.
At Visit Sarasota County, we share these monthly insights to provide visibility into current market conditions and trends. Our sales and marketing teams actively use this data—alongside ongoing collaboration with our industry partners—to refine strategies in real time, ensuring our marketing investments are deployed as efficiently and effectively as possible to support our local economy.
March numbers comparing 2026 to 2025:
Visitors were 158,500 compared to 155,800 in 2025
Visitor direct expenditures were $234,302,600 compared to $234,521,100 in 2025
Lodging occupancy was 81.5% compared to 83.3% in 2025
Lodging average room rate was $402.36 compared to $386.00 in 2025
There were 365,800 room nights sold compared to 373,000 in 2025
Additional Reports: You can view our latest measurement reports and quarterly recaps on demand at www.VisitSarasotaCountyTransparency.com. (Quarter Two Report will be live next week.)
Invite: If you’re interested in connecting directly with our tourism and hospitality industry, we’d also be delighted to host you at our National Travel & Tourism Week Celebration on May 7 at The Ringling from 4:30-6:30 p.m. If you’d like to attend as our guest, please let us know and we’ll gladly reserve a ticket for you. At this event we will be bestowing our annual Voice of Sarasota Award to Maestro Victor DeRenzi who has helped define Sarasota Opera and our identity as Florida’s Cultural Coast. As always, if you have any questions or need anything from our team, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Erin Duggan
President/CEO
Visit Sarasota
Public hearing
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
On behalf of S.R. LBK, LLC, this e-mail is to inform you that I will attend the May 4, 2026 Commission meeting to request continuances of the following public hearings:
Agenda item 6C regarding proposed Ordinance 2026-07 amending the Zoning Code to allow an archway on a groin in the Gulf of America; and
Agenda item 6D regarding proposed Ordinance 2026-08 amending the sign code to allow a sign on a groin.
Unicorp and the St. Regis are reexamining their options regarding the sign and whether a sign code amendment is necessary. If the sign code amendment is unnecessary, we will request withdrawing Ordinance 2026-08 , amending the terms of proposed Ordinance 2026-07 and revising the staff memo. Also, the public purpose of “identifying the party (or parties) responsible for maintenance and liability of the private groin structure” needs to be changed to a more appropriate public purpose. In addition, we do not want to proceed until the St. Regis development has a final CO. We are working on issues with DEP, so final sign off may not be until mid-June. Thank you. See you on Monday.
Brenda Patten
Berlin, Patten, Ebling
Sarasota
Bradenton Area EDC Announces Shirar O’Connor as President and CEO
To: Longboat Key Commission
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (BAEDC) today announced the appointment of Shirar O’Connor as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. O’Connor was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors following a comprehensive national search process led by Winner Partners, a St. Petersburg, FL based executive search firm with an expertise in economic development.
O’Connor brings more than 30 years of global leadership experience in economic development, business attraction, and foreign direct investment. She joins the BAEDC from the Financial Times, where she served as Director of Professional Development for their economic development unit, FT Locations, advising and training economic development organizations and government agencies worldwide on strategies to enhance performance and drive capital investment.
Previously, O’Connor served as Vice President of Marketing for Advance CT, the State of Connecticut’s public-private economic development agency. Her career also includes executive leadership roles with Conway Data, UK Trade & Investment, and the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency, where she managed North American markets and led international investment initiatives. Over the course of her career, O’Connor has advised more than 120 economic development organizations across the globe and has played a foundational role in shaping the industry, including serving as a founding architect of the SelectUSA Investment Summit and the Site Selectors Guild Annual Conference.
“Shirar is a world-class economic development leader with the rare combination of strategic vision, global connectivity, diplomatic leadership, and the local ties required to guide our organization forward,” said Chris Cianfaglione, Chair of the BAEDC Board of Directors. “Her ability to build trust, navigate intricate stakeholder environments, and implement data-driven strategies will be instrumental as we strengthen our partnerships and expand economic opportunity across the Bradenton Area.”
O’Connor is widely recognized for her composure and effectiveness in complex environments, with references consistently highlighting her ability to align diverse stakeholders and stabilize organizations during periods of transition. Her global network of decision-makers, combined with a clear strategy for diversifying revenue streams, positions the BAEDC to expand private-sector investment and ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
A Florida native, O’Connor grew up visiting Siesta Key and graduated high school on the Gulf Coast in Clearwater, before graduating from the University of Florida. Shirar and her family are relocating full-time to our community, and she already has established ties in the region.
“Returning to Florida to serve a place I call home is incredibly meaningful to me,” said O’Connor. “The Bradenton Area has tremendous potential, and I look forward to working alongside our public and private partners to drive sustainable economic growth, support high-quality job creation, and build on the region’s momentum.”
O’Connor will assume her role as President and CEO on June 1, 2026.
About the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (BAEDC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to driving economic growth and prosperity in Manatee County, Florida. The organization works to attract new businesses, support existing companies, and foster a diverse and resilient regional economy through strategic partnerships and targeted initiatives.
Amanda Parrish
Interim CEO
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Thank you Commissioner for the thoughtful message. That means a lot to me and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Longboat Key’s commitment to excellence.
Sue Smith
Finance Director
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
Sue, what a fabulous example of determination and persistence. I respect all of you for what you’ve done to put this report together. Quite an accomplishment.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
Congratulations on achieving such outstanding results. It is true that it takes a team effort, however your leadership and the many extra hours you have put into this was the driving force behind receiving the unmodified opinion. Well done!
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Commission
I am pleased to share the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for September 30, 2025, which includes both Federal and State Single Audits, along with the Management letter located at the back of the report. I’m delighted to report that there were no findings or reportable conditions noted, and the Town received an unmodified opinion audit report—the highest level of assurance possible from our auditors.
Along with the ACFR, you’ll find the Auditors’ Discussion and Analysis attached for your review. Mauldin & Jenkins will be joining us to provide a thorough review of the ACFR at the Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 30th.
Additionally, I have submitted the ACFR to the GFOA for the Certificate of Excellence, to S&P Global (our bond rating agency), and have completed all required disclosures at the EMMA website through DAC Bond. These steps are important for maintaining our transparency and strong standing in financial reporting.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for everyone’s time and effort throughout this process. Achieving a perfect record of compliance would not be possible without everyone’s commitment to following our internal controls and staying attentive to the details. This accomplishment truly represents a team effort.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you again for your dedication and support.
Sue Smith
Finance Director
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
As retired CEO of a state CPA Society, I am all too familiar with the ever changing nature of government accounting standards and the exceptional effort it takes to ace an audit for an organization with this complexity. We all appreciate all that you do to help Longboat Key exemplify accounting excellence. Thank you.
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
Congratulations on achieving such outstanding results. It is true that it takes a team effort, however your leadership and the many extra hours you have put into this was the driving force behind receiving the unmodified opinion.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
Amazing. What an effort from Sue and the team. All along with doing this amazing task, if we called with a question about the upcoming budget process, an upcoming program, or a project, you took the time for us. Also, with a smile the whole time. Talk about beach, nailed It.
Charlie Mopps
Public Works Director
Town of Longboat Key
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
Great job! We appreciate the time and effort you and your team invested to make this happen, amongst the truck load of other financial matters you must juggle.
Truly amazing, congratulations and thank you!
Russ E. Mager
Chief of Police
Longboat Key Police Department
2025 Annual Audit
To: Longboat Key Finance Director Sue Smith
You put more hours in this report more than any of us realize. Working nights and weekends to get this completed, making the deadline…congrats to you and thank you!
Paul B. Dezzi
Fire Chief
Town of Longboat Key
Cops Cars and Coffee
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Thank you Commissioner for your feedback (which I will share with PD) and for your attendance. Here’s what I sent to the event organizers Officer Maple and Sgt. Smith earlier today.
Howard Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Job Well Done
To: Longboat Key Police Department
Congratulations again on the success of the inaugural event of Cops, Cars, and Coffee. The first time doing anything is always an interesting experience, but I will tell you that I was very pleased with what I saw Saturday morning. Great community policing is based on relationships, and this type of event was a perfect example of the interactions and relationships we want to build. Thank you again for your leadership and extra effort to make Saturday so successful!
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Cops Cars and Coffee
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Tip, great seeing you this weekend. Just wanted to drop a note and express how impressed I was at this weekend’s Cops Cars and Coffee event. Hats off to the brainchild who put this together. One on one contact, I believe, and accessibility, is the core reason behind the success of all of our public services. Congratulations on an event well done.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
The CAC 2026 Hurricane Season Forecast
To: Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Department
The local Climate Adaptation Center does some fantastic work and they put together a very comprehensive prediction. The big story for this season appears to be the expected El Niño conditions later in the season, which tend to shear apart storms. They do note though that Hurricane Andrew happened in an El Niño year.
Link to the forecast:
I will be forwarding three emails per this topic and we can go over it tomorrow at our meeting.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
City News/Update
To: Sarasota City Police Advisory Panel
I was just made aware that the city newsletter today contained information about applying for vacancies on the IPAP and PCC. Please note that while vacancies do exist on both boards, vacancies are not being filled currently due to our suspended status (still). The PIO is aware of the suspended status, but it’s possible a staff member was not.
As I’m sure you are all aware, the city is still searching for a City Manager. However, we are planning to go ahead with bringing forward a proposal to keep both boards (with modifications) after the City Commission’s break. I will be able to share more details after everything is approved by the City Attorney and Deputy City Manager. I believe we are in the final stretch.
Please let me know if you have any questions or wish to discuss anything.
Heather Salzman
Police Advisory Panels Administrator
City of Sarasota
Flock contract should be reviewed by the City Attorney
To: Alex Neihaus
Thanks for bringing this to my attention and for the email! I’ve copied Mr Polzak on this email so he has the materials and links and is able to respond accordingly. We are meeting tomorrow I believe, so maybe we can have a preliminary discussion.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Flock contract should be reviewed by the City Attorney
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thank you again for your time yesterday. I’m emailing to follow up on our discussion about the contract between Flock and the City. As you may remember, I believe the contract we have in place does not adequately protect the City and residents from Flock’s potential misuse or loss of data SPD shares with Flock. Flock is, essentially, a law enforcement-focused data broker. There is a strong business incentive to monetize the data it collects, even in “anonymized” form beyond law enforcement uses.
Many citizens may not realize that the data SPD collects might be used or leaked by Flock. Instead, public attention is focused on the improvements in police productivity this sharing enables. That’s a benefit nobody can deny — but we should also understand and control how the vendor of this information is managing the data it collects for SPD. Here is a link to a Guardian story about Flock. The tone is alarmist but the issues it raises are real.
I was only able to find a single contract between the City and Flock in our public records. Here is a direct link to the Flock contract. Astonishingly, it doesn’t include any language, refer to a master agreement or refer to any other Flock agreement that details who owns the data supplied to Flock by SPD nor what can be done with that data. Instead, this contract appears to be solely focused on managing installation of the Flock hardware.
I requested confirmation (via this FOIA request) that this contract listed is the only agreement in place between the City and Flock. As you see in the message below, it appears that is the case.
Might I suggest that you ask the City Attorney’s office to review the Flock agreement to ensure that contact complies with our standards for data ownership and collection?
Alex Neihaus
Sarasota
Public Records Request
To: Alex Neihaus
Please be advised that Request Number: 328-2026 has been completed.
As per Procurement, “The contract referenced is the contract in its entirety. We do not have a separate license agreement.”
In the event further clarification or follow-up is needed, please respond by replying directly to this email.
City of Sarasota, Records & Information Management Division
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
May 2nd Deadline
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Hi Mayor, I’ve spoken with SPD and they will be communicating with Mr. McIntyre directly. I will forward the communication to you for reference once I receive a copy.
Joe Polzak
Sarasota
May 2nd Deadline
To: Joe Polzak
Joe, what’s the status of this? How are you handling it?
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
May 2nd Deadline
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I am writing as a final follow-up to my correspondence of April 2nd and April 17th regarding Notice of Violation #2010200085016641.
I have not received a response to either communication. I want to respectfully advise that May 2, 2026 represents both the payment deadline and the expiration of my window to appeal the Final Administrative Order to circuit court pursuant to Florida Statute §162.11.
I remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved administratively prior to that date.
Gabriel McIntyre
Sarasota
May 2nd Deadline
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I am following up on my email of April 2nd regarding my red light camera citation and the constitutional concerns I raised in connection with the McFadden ruling.
I wanted to advise that I have since received the Final Administrative Order (Notice #2010200085016641, dated April 2, 2026, signed by Richard Ellis), upholding the violation with a total amount due of $158.50 by May 2, 2026.
As that deadline also represents my window to appeal this Final Administrative Order to circuit court pursuant to Florida Statute §162.11, I am writing to respectfully request a response prior to that date.
I remain of the position that an administrative dismissal is the most appropriate resolution given:
– The McFadden ruling declaring §316.0083 unconstitutional as applied
– The City Attorney’s formal notice of that ruling prior to the hearing
– The hearing officer’s inability to cite the statute allegedly requiring a stop on yellow
– The city’s own evidence placing my vehicle in the engineering-recognized dilemma zone at 0.201 seconds of red
I am not seeking conflict. I am seeking a fair resolution and would welcome the opportunity to resolve this without further escalation.
Gabriel McIntyre
Sarasota
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Thanks for the prompt response. Your support means a lot.
Do you have a feel for what time we should arrive if we want to speak in citizen comment but not be at the later end of the day?
Megan Howell
Executive Director
Second Heart Homes, Inc.
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Second Heart Homes Executive Director Megan Howell
I’ve been really impressed with what you’ve managed to accomplish over the past 2 years. (Thrilled about the new house for women!)
May 18th is our last Commission Meeting before July, so the Agenda is bound to be very full. If you can reduce your update to 3 minutes or less, you should plan to present it as part of Citizen Comments. Otherwise, I’d recommend waiting until the fall.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
As we approach the anniversary of the proclamation recognizing May as Homeless and Mental Health Awareness Month for Second Heart Homes, I wanted to reach out and thank you again for your leadership in bringing that forward. It meant a great deal to our organization and especially to the residents we serve.
Since that time, we have continued to grow our impact, including recently opening two new homes and welcoming additional residents off the street into permanent supportive housing. We would be grateful for the opportunity to briefly share an update with the Commission on what has been accomplished since the proclamation, and how the community’s support has helped make that progress possible.
If appropriate, would it be possible to be placed on the agenda for the May 18 Commission meeting for a short update?
Thank you again for your support and for helping bring visibility to this work.
Megan Howell
Executive Director
Second Heart Homes, Inc.
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Second Heart Homes Executive Director Megan Howell
Thank you, Megan. The proclamation will be added to the agenda for May 6th to be presented at 9am. Who will be attending to accept the proclamation?
Christina Wollenberg
Executive Assistant
City of Sarasota
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Thank you for the reminder. I have attached our suggestion. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Megan Howell
Executive Director, Founder
Second Heart Homes, Inc.
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Second Heart Homes Executive Director Megan Howell
We have not received a draft for the proclamation and the deadline to put this on the agenda is Friday.
Christina Wollenberg
Executive Assistant
City of Sarasota
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
Sorry for the late response but I accidentally deleted this email thread. We would love to do May 6th. I will work on the proclamation and send to you on Monday. Thank you for this opportunity!
Megan Howell
Executive Director, Founder
Second Heart Homes, Inc.
Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month
To: Second Heart Homes Executive Director Megan Howell
I just checked the calendar and discovered that April 19 is the deadline for putting the Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation on the Agenda of the May 6 City Commission meeting. (May 3 is the deadline for the May 20 meeting.) You, or your representative(s), would need to be present at 9 a.m. to accept the Proclamation. Let me know before the deadline which meeting to schedule this for.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Let’s chat about housing
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
It was great to talk with you. Thank you for asking my opinion on where might be a next good step. Katie Ross is the new Executive Director of the CoC.
I spoke with my team and we are all excited about having a proclamation day. May is Mental Health Awareness month so we would like to try to pursue that if possible.
Megan Howell
Executive Director, Founder
Second Heart Homes, Inc.
Let’s chat about housing
To: Second Heart Homes Executive Director Megan Howell
As you know, I ran for Sarasota City Commissioner in November 2022 to help the City move forward on addressing the housing needs of Sarasota residents who are inadequately served. That, of course, includes those who are unhoused and/or without stable housing. Now that I’ve settled into the job, I’m trying to help accelerate progress.
At this point, I’m meeting one-on-one with people like you who share that mission. I’d like to hear your thoughts on obstacles and ideas for overcoming them. I’m hoping that bringing together “outside the box” ideas from many people will lead to creative, implementable solutions. I’ve copied Christina Wollenberg who will help you find a mutually convenient time to meet. (You can also reach Christina by phone at 941-263-6675.) I look forward to our conversation.
Debbie Trice
Mayor
City of Sarasota
May 2nd Deadline
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I am writing as a final follow-up to my correspondence of April 2nd and April 17th regarding Notice of Violation #2010200085016641.
I have not received a response to either communication. I want to respectfully advise that May 2, 2026 represents both the payment deadline and the expiration of my window to appeal the Final Administrative Order to circuit court pursuant to Florida Statute §162.11.
I remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved administratively prior to that date.
Gabriel McIntyre
Sarasota
Citizen Due Process Concern
To: Sarasota City Mayor Debbie Trice
I am following up on my email of April 2nd regarding my red light camera citation and the constitutional concerns I raised in connection with the McFadden ruling.
I wanted to advise that I have since received the Final Administrative Order (Notice #2010200085016641, dated April 2, 2026, signed by Richard Ellis), upholding the violation with a total amount due of $158.50 by May 2, 2026.
As that deadline also represents my window to appeal this Final Administrative Order to circuit court pursuant to Florida Statute §162.11, I am writing to respectfully request a response prior to that date.
I remain of the position that an administrative dismissal is the most appropriate resolution given:
– The McFadden ruling declaring §316.0083 unconstitutional as applied
– The City Attorney’s formal notice of that ruling prior to the hearing
– The hearing officer’s inability to cite the statute allegedly requiring a stop on yellow
– The city’s own evidence placing my vehicle in the engineering-recognized dilemma zone at 0.201 seconds of red.
I am not seeking conflict. I am seeking a fair resolution and would welcome the opportunity to resolve this without further escalation.
Gabriel McIntyre
Sarasota
