John Mitten

This document provides an update to the Sarasota Bay Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, serving as a comprehensive guidance document for the protection and restoration of Sarasota Bay. It outlines a 'hold the line' approach to maintain the ecological health of the bay by addressing two primary goals: enhancing water quality through the reduction of nitrogen loads and protecting and restoring natural systems, including critical habitats such as seagrass meadows. The plan emphasizes collaborative efforts with various local, regional, state, and federal partners to counter the impacts of land use changes, sea-level rise, and climate change, thereby ensuring the long-term resiliency and health of the Sarasota Bay estuaries.

The meeting includes the election of Governing Board officers, employee recognition, and the consideration of several consent agenda items such as declaring Water Reuse Week, approving various FARMS projects for agricultural resource management and water conservation, and amending a cattle lease agreement for the Cypress Creek Preserve. Additional discussions involve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, surplus lands biennial assessment, hydrologic conditions, and a legal order regarding water use permits.

The Governing Board met to address several key administrative and operational items. The meeting included updates to Knowledge Management policies regarding administrative fees and records management. The Board also reviewed and authorized various resource management projects, including a Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) project for 597 Josh Road, LLC, and the use of floodplain information for the Sebring and Klosterman Bayou Watershed Management Plans to update Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Additionally, the Board reviewed a surface water improvement plan for Sarasota Bay and considered the Tampa Bay Estuary Program Third Amended and Restated Interlocal Agreement. Operational matters, including land and resource monitoring agreements and general counsel reports, were also presented.

The meeting included the administration of the Oath of Office, employee recognition, and a presentation on the 2026 Legislative Session. The board reviewed updates to several administrative policies regarding records management, cooperative funding, and administrative fees. Key items addressed included a revision to the Pasco County Magnolia Valley Storage and Wetland Enhancement project scope and cost, the issuance of an administrative complaint for water use permit violations, and a settlement agreement regarding the Polk Regional Water Cooperative. Furthermore, the board received a hydrologic conditions report and approved a modified water shortage order. Liaison committee report summaries were also provided.

The board discussed and approved several items, including the 2026 Consolidated Annual Report, a FARMS project reimbursement for Oak Ridge Fish Hatchery, several utility easement amendments for Tampa Electric Company, and various easements. Legal matters addressed included a consent order for water use and construction violations, an interagency agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation, authorization for litigation regarding the Edward Medard Reservoir Toe Drain, and well construction permitting delegation agreements. Rulemaking to promote reclaimed water use was approved, as was a partial release of a conservation easement. The board also held a discussion on the Cooperative Funding Initiative policy, reviewed preliminary project evaluations for the 2027 fiscal year, and received a report on hydrologic conditions, including water shortage restrictions. A settlement agreement with Stantec Consulting Services was approved, and updates were provided on ongoing legal challenges involving water use permits.