City of Sarasota

We’re celebrating Florida Government Finance Professionals Week, as sponsored by the Florida Government Finance Officer's Association (GFOA). Our City Financial Administration Department - led by Kelly Strickland, Director of Financial Administration – works tirelessly to provide vital services for our city. The team’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. For more than a decade, they have earned the prestigious “trifecta” of awards from GFOA in three highly honored categories. Specifically, the group has been awarded: ⭐️ Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – recognized for 43 consecutive years ⭐️ Distinguished Budget Presentation – recognized for 34 consecutive years 🌟 Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financing Reporting (PAFR) – recognized 11 times The team also recently received news that for the second year in a row, the City has received an unmodified, or clean, audit! This means the City’s financial statements are in compliance – no findings or comments were noted. Congratulations! We’re grateful for the Financial Administration Department’s commitment to excellence and the dedicated planning, execution, and reporting they complete to keep our community thriving. Thank you! Top Row (L to R): Terri Martin, Administrative Assistant Xianli Johnson, Financial Accountant Richard (Joey) Barcomb, Senior Financial Accountant Kelly Strickland, Director of Financial Administration Lisa Shay, Accounts Payable Administrator Bottom Row: Makissa Abner, Payroll Administrator Nannette Santiago, Coordinator, Accounts Receivable Justyn Root, Financial Accountant Luisa Patton, Manager, Workday Data Sarah Kozic, Financial Accountant Chelsea Hall, Payables Administrator I Debra Muller, Manager, Accounting & Payroll Systems Connor Roach, Financial Accountant Dawn Murray, Deputy Finance Director John Broschart, Jr., Treasury Accountant Not Pictured: Tyler Harris, Budget Manager

During yesterday’s City Commission meeting, Sarasota Police Department Chief Rex Troche and the Commission recognized five outstanding individuals as part of SPD’s 2024 Annual Awards. This year’s honorees include: 🔵 Civilian of the Year – Ben Billingsley, Finance Manager 🔵 Co-Officers of the Year – Officer Steven Mayforth and Officer AJ Valaro 🔵 Detective of the Year – Detective Angela Cox 🔵 Supervisor of the Year – Sergeant Pat Comac Each of these distinguished recipients showcase true commitment to their duties and exemplify excellence in all that they do. We thank them for their dedicated service in protecting our city and its residents and visitors.

Shredding documents and protecting against fraud? We dig it! And attendees at our Shred Stock event Saturday do too. Our Central Records team helped residents securely destroy tens of thousands of sensitive documents, protect their information against fraud, and enjoy hit 60s music at this free community event. Thank you to all who participated!

Spring Break is right around the corner...and we're ready! Mayor Liz Alpert joined Deiah Riley early this morning on WFTS-TV on St. Armands Circle to share that we have worked very hard and Sarasota is open for business after the 2024 hurricane season. We look forward to seeing you!

We're hiring! The City of Sarasota is looking for a Development Review Chief Planner to join our team. If you're passionate about urban planning and want to make a positive impact in our community, we’d love to hear from you.

Shredding documents reduces clutter and helps fight fraud. If you've been holding on to out-of-date documents containing sensitive personal information, Shred Stock is for you!   Join us from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 15 in the Van Wezel parking lot for Shred Stock, a free, drive-up document shredding event for City of Sarasota residents. Participants can bring up to four boxes of sensitive documents to be securely destroyed on-site with the help of Central Records Division staff.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eSDzNuPR

Beginning March 17, stop by City Hall, 1565 1st St., to celebrate Women’s History Month and enjoy “Now You See Us,” the City’s latest Cultural Heritage Exhibit, featuring the works of the Petticoat Painters. After meeting at an art show in Sarasota in 1953, the group was formed to showcase the talents of female artists at a time when women had difficulty finding venues to display their work. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular City Hall hours, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plus, there will be a free opening reception and public lecture to kick things off on Friday, March 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eNYnZjMB 📷 “An Ordinary Day” - Jana Milestone 📷 The 2025 Petticoat Painters

With warmer weather on the horizon, it's the perfect time to hit the beach! Thanks to the City's EcoRover, a free-to-use tracked mobility chair, anyone can enjoy the sun and sand at our world-class Lido Beach, regardless of mobility. The EcoRover allows independent movement across the sand where traditional wheelchairs and mobility aids struggle. The EcoRover can be reserved for up to four hours between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday - Friday by contacting ADA Coordinator Jake Brown at Jake.Brown@SarasotaFL.gov. Click here for more information:  https://lnkd.in/eSu-JBNd

Nominated by a resident for their exceptional helpfulness in the permitting process for a flood-damaged condo, Commercial Plans Examiner Adam Swift and Flood Zone Specialist Cyndi Cahill were recognized by the City Commission as the March Team of the Month. Adam and Cyndi’s teamwork in assisting citizens with the permitting process following last year’s unusually active and flood-heavy hurricane season has been crucial in expediting the recovery process for those whose homes sustained flood damage. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Jessica Smith, a Senior Professional Buyer in the Governmental Affairs Department, has led many solicitations, assisted in developing contracts for multiple departments, and is known by her coworkers for the quality of her work and willingness to go the extra mile. Recently, Jessica completed the Procurement team’s application for the National Procurement Institute’s Achievement of Excellence in Procurement award, ultimately landing the award for her team. Her nomination for this honor recognizes her as instrumental in maintaining the smooth functionality of the Procurement team. In honor of her excellent work and dedication, the City Commission has recognized Jessica Smith as March Employee of the Month. Congratulations!