Governmental Affairs

The Governmental Affairs Office is located within the City Manager's Department and promotes the City of Sarasota's interests with state and federal legislators and oversees interlocal agreements. It is responsible for developing the City’s Commission's legislative goals, coordinating approaches for advocacy, identifying appropriation requests, building relationships at the local, state, and federal levels, reviewing legislation that impacts Sarasota, and ensuring seamless communication between our elected officials and the City.

The Director of Governmental Affairs represents the City to various community groups, including the Bay Park Conservancy and Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Additionally, the Director of Governmental Affairs’ role also leads the Office of Special Events, Grants, and Purchasing.

The Sarasota City Commission adopted their 2026 State Legislative Priorities and Appropriations on November 17, 2025. Download the 2026 State Legislative Priorities(PDF, 174KB) of our State Legislative Priorities or view the full text below:

City of Sarasota 2026 State Appropriation & Grant Priorities

1. St. Armands Key Corridor Improvement Project:
   Allocate $2,500,000 to improve primary evacuation access corridors on St. Armands Key to enhance evacuation readiness, reduce repetitive flooding, and restore access supporting tourism and local business.
2. Police Drone Project:
   Allocate $1,000,000 for the purchase of three drones to enhance public safety by providing aerial support for critical incidents, support tactical operations, and assist with disaster response.
3. Verna Wellfield Electrical Hardening and Resiliency Project:
   Allocate $2,000,000 for hardening and resiliency measures to the City's Verna Wellfield. 
   
   
4. Whitaker Bayou Dredging Project
   Allocate $2,499,750 to restore original channel depth and flood capacity. 
   
   
5. Citywide ADA Barrier Removal Project
   Allocate $900,000 to implement accessibility upgrades to sidewalks, curb ramps, facilities, and crosswalks to meet ADA Transition Plan goals.
   
   
6. High Water Rescue Vehicle
   Allocate $300,000 to purchase a high-water rescue vehicle to be used for evacuations, deliver supplies, and emergency equipment during natural disasters and other emergencies.

2026 State Legislative Priorities

Home Rule

• Advocate against preemptions of local governments and unfunded mandates.
• Support legislation preserving reasonable sovereign immunity liability caps and no retroactive increases. 

Fiscal Responsibility

• Support local government's ability to levy property taxes to support critical services.
• Advocate against legislation that acts as a funding shift of taxes for local governments that may adversely impact residents, homeowners, renters, and businesses.

Planning / Development

• Support legislation maintaining and advancing cities' control for land development, local zoning codes, historical preservation, and planning.
• Advocate against the elimination of Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs), while supporting tighter restrictions on the purpose, use, and timeframes.

Environment, Resilience & Water Quality

• Support full funding of the State Resilient Florida grant program to assist cities in implementing resilience infrastructure projects. 
• Support legislation endorsing a One Water approach to enhance integration between different water systems while maintaining local flexibility and supporting full funding of the state Water Protection and Sustainability Trust Fund.
• Support state funding protecting and restoring water resources and water quality, including drinking/wastewater infrastructure upgrades, stormwater pollutant load reduction, and the State Revolving Loan fund.

Affordable Housing

• Support state funding for affordable housing programs, including full appropriation of the Sadowski Housing Trust Funds.
• Advocate against any tax relief that would adversely and inequitably affect affordable housing.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Support legislation that provides for effective and appropriate emergency reactiveness and responses for local governments and their residents after a hurricane or tropical storm.
• Advocate against legislation that restricts permitting, construction, and land use which does not have a direct impact to emergency preparedness that restricts permitting, construction, and land use which does not have a direct impact to emergency preparedness or responsiveness after a hurricane or tropical storm.

Arts & Culture

• Support funding for State Arts and Culture Grants dedicated to the arts and culture community of the City of Sarasota.
• Support art-based community development policies.

Solid Waste

• Support legislation protecting a city or county’s right to provide and manage recycling and solid waste services.