TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Title: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida, Initiating the Process for Negotiating an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement with Sarasota County, Florida, Pursuant to Part II of Chapter 171, Florida Statutes; Providing for Findings; Providing for Subjects of Negotiations; Identifying a Municipal Service Area; Providing for Transmittal; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
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Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-38.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-38.
• Pros:
o Enables City staff to begin discussions with Sarasota County staff regarding issues related to properties that may be annexed into the City in the future.
o Promotes cooperation between local governments.
o Ensures efficient service delivery.
• Cons: There are no identifiable disadvantages to the approval of Resolution No. 2026-R-38.
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2026-R-38.
• Pros: There are no identifiable advantages to the denial of Resolution No. 2026-R-38.
• Cons: Lack of coordination between the City of North Port and Sarasota County would continue to be an issue regarding land use and delivery of services for properties proposed for annexation into the City.
Background Information
An Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) is a joint agreement between two or more local government bodies for the purpose of ensuring proper coordination regarding land use, provision of services, funding, and other impacts related to annexation of private property. Part II, Chapter 171, Florida Statutes, encourages local government participation in ISBA to jointly determine how to designate future land use; to provide services to residents and property in the most efficient and effective manner while balancing the needs and desires of the community; to promote sensible boundaries that reduce the costs of local governments; to avoid duplicating local services; to increase political transparency and accountability; and to prevent inefficient service delivery and an insufficient tax base to support the delivery of those services.
North Port does not currently have an ISBA with Sarasota County and, therefore, annexation of property and determination of service delivery is often fraught with uncertainty and inefficiency. The City’s Comprehensive Plan also recognizes the importance of pursuing such an Agreement:
POLICY FLU 1.4.2. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
North Port will continue to pursue a Joint Planning Agreement or Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement with Sarasota County to facilitate annexation of properties in the future annexation area.
As shown in Exhibit A, there are currently several areas within unincorporated Sarasota County that are surrounded on two or more sides by the City of North Port’s corporate boundaries, and/or are difficult for Sarasota County services to reach. The City of North Port currently provides municipal water and wastewater services to numerous properties within these unincorporated areas. City Police and Fire emergency and rescue services also provide response to these areas when necessary, and the City’s Building Division provides emergency inspection services following storms and fire.
Multiple private property owners along US 41 have expressed interest in voluntarily annexing their properties into the City for the purpose of obtaining water and wastewater and for the potential to develop or redevelop their property under the City’s land development regulations, but the uncertainty that exists in the current annexation process is prohibitive for many owners.
Adoption of Resolution 2026-R-38 does not bind the City of North Port or Sarasota County in any way but only authorizes the City to invite Sarasota County to negotiate and draft a proposed ISBA. Should the City Commission approve Resolution 2026-R-38, the signed Resolution will be transmitted to Sarasota County. Sarasota County would then need to adopt a responding Resolution before negotiations begin.
Resolution No. 2026-R-38 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Resolution 2026-R-38 was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on May 11, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Following negotiation between the City and Sarasota County, any proposed ISBA would be effective only after adoption by Ordinance by both the City and Sarasota County.
Strategic Plan
Economic Development & Growth Management
Financial Impact
Adoption of the Resolution is not expected to have an immediate direct financial impact, as it only authorizes discussions with Sarasota County regarding a potential Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA). Future negotiation and development of an ISBA will require staff time and administrative resources. If ultimately approved, a finalized ISBA will result in future impacts related to service delivery, infrastructure, operational costs, annexation-related revenues, and long-term growth planning, which will be evaluated and presented to the City Commission as part of a separate approval process.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2026-R-38 with Exhibit A
Prepared by: Alaina Ray, AICP, Development Services Director
Department Director: Alaina Ray, AICP, Development Services Director