SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla., (WFLA) – In response to the damage from last year’s hurricanes, Sarasota County Commissioners are set to allocate millions for upgrades to the stormwater infrastructure.
Some residents in the area said that each time it rains, they worry about flooding, and nothing has been done about it.
On Tuesday, the county is taking steps forward to give people some relief.
In areas like Phillippi Creek, people experienced flooding time and time again last year.
Neighbors said that after years of no maintenance, they have concerns about debris and sediment packing in the Creek.
“It shouldn’t require this much public pressure to correct an issue. Phillippi Creek has experienced years of sediment accumulation that must be addressed,” stated Kristy Molyneaux, a local resident.
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During a recent meeting, homeowners expressed their frustration with the county and how, after all this time, they feel helpless.
“I gotta tell you, where do we go from here? Because now, you don’t just have a flood problem, you have a trust problem,” said Connie Neely.
To address this, the county will vote on whether or not to approve $10 million to maintain, repair, and restore the stormwater system.
This comes after the Army Corps of Engineers denied an emergency permit request because of the amount of work that needs to be done.
The county said last year’s storms showed how vulnerable the system is, and fixes need to happen quickly
The county is also creating a new stormwater department, and on Monday, July 7, selected Ben Quartermaine as its director.
“We serve the residents, and it has become evidently clear. It’s essential to start rebuilding public trust regarding our stormwater systems, and this would mark the initial steps towards improving our stormwater management,” remarked Tom Knight, a Sarasota County Commissioner.
Quartermaine is expected to begin his role on August 11.
The meeting on Tuesday, July 8, will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Sarasota County Administration building in Venice. A public hearing will also be held for neighbors to share their thoughts.
