Sarasota County commissioners meet tomorrow

SARASOTA –– Expect another meeting of the Sarasota County commissioners dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic tomorrow.

Just like their prior two meetings, items related to the pandemic will be front and center starting with the first item after the consent agenda when County Administrator Jonathan Lewis, Health and Human Services Director Chuck Henry and Emergency Services Director Rich Collins update commissioners on the current situation in the county.

Reopening the county’s beaches, an update from the Economic Development Corporation on a loan program to assist local businesses and future plans to reopen the county are also sure to take up much of commissioners’ discussion.

Last Thursday, Commission Christian Ziegler posted on his Facebook page that he had added reopening the beaches to the agenda for discussion.

The county closed the beaches in mid-March when it was feared that a surge of spring breakers would descend on the county after beaches to the north, such as Clearwater Beach, were closed.

Charlotte and Manatee counties followed suit, although Charlotte County commissioners will discuss the topic today. All three counties have been working in concert regarding the beaches.

Just like past meetings, commissioners and staff will conduct the meeting following social distancing guidelines.

Anyone who plans to attend the meeting will be screened before being allowed admittance to the Administration Center.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in commission chambers at the County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota.

Access Sarasota TV will also stream the meeting on the county’s YouTube channel, and the agenda is available at www.scgov.net by clicking on Meetings and Agendas under the Services A-Z tab. For more information, residents can also call the county’s Call Center at (941) 861-5000.

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