This UF-, Barancik Foundation-, Gulf Coast Community Foundation– and Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation-led collaboration has planted promising seeds to cross pollinate local engineering talent with a statewide UF network to advance innovative problem-solving and business opportunities right here. Our 2016 city budget also created the new Position of City Parks and Recreation Director. City Parks and Recreation programs greatly impacted Jerry’s youth, and I am pleased we have a director who passionately believes in the power of parks and recreation for healthy living and making a positive difference for people of all ages. Along those lines, the City Commission amended our city budget this week to provide for an additional arborist to help care for our urban forest. Although Sarasota decreased by 900 in population between the 2000 and 2010 census, the current construction boom is expected to see the full-time city population grow from 54,214 full-time residents to approximately 57,000 by 2019. This week the City Commission also advanced a $734,000 bid for Bird Key Bridge and seawall repairs, a $15-million parking garage/beautification project on St.

Tom Barwin is city manager for the City of Sarasota.