July Update: STORMWATER UTILITY FEES AND PHILLIPPI CREEK

As you may have read in the Sarasota News Leader, The Trident or the Herald Tribune, there have been big organizational changes to the Stormwater division, which formerly resided within the Public Works division. The County Commissioners led by Commissioners Joe Neunder, Tom Knight and our own District Commissioner Mark Smith, launched this huge change. This effort was long overdue and a big step toward future stormwater improvements.

In addition, to the print media, the stories have been carried on the local ABC and NBC network affiliates. These clips also spoke to the hiring of a Stormwater expert, Civil Engineer, long-time Sarasotan and former county employee, Mr. Ben Quartermaine P.E. Mr. Quartermaine will be leaving Stantec, a private firm.

We hope this reorganization and installation of new leadership will result in a more efficient use of the Stormwater Environmental Utility assessments we all pay. (Refer to the July eblast regarding noted prior increases).

After a significant investment of time, we—residents from SouthGate, the SAND group (near the Creek and US 41), and Forest Lakes along with support from our friends in Pine Craft—feel this change of leadership is much-needed and will hopefully address the many drainage maintenance issues throughout our area.

Specifically, Forest Lakes is coordinating with the Senior Manager of Field Services regarding ongoing drainage problems in our neighborhood east of Beneva, as well as our neighbors west of Beneva, and along the Creek.