TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran's Letter of Interest to Purchase a City-Owned Parcel Located at the Southeastern Quadrant of the Intersection of City Hall Boulevard and North Main Street.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to proceed with discussions and negotiations with the Tax Collector regarding his proposal to purchase city-owned property.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Direct the City Manager to proceed with discussions with the Tax Collector regarding his proposal to purchase a city-owned property.
• Pros: Potential sale proceeds could generate revenue for the General Fund. A separate Tax Collector facility in North Port could improve resident access to services, and a separate facility could free up space in City Hall currently used by the Tax Collector.
• Cons: Discussions may require staff time and resources. No sale terms, purchase price, valuation, due diligence, or final agreement have been presented for Commission approval.
Option 2: Direct the City Manager to not move forward with discussions with the Tax Collector regarding his proposal to purchase a city-owned property.
• Pros: The City would retain the property and avoid expending staff resources on negotiations at this time.
• Cons: The City may lose an opportunity to evaluate potential property sale, potential General Fund revenue, improved Tax Collector service delivery in North Port, and possible City Hall space efficiencies.
Background Information
At the November 4, 2025, City Commission Regular Meeting, the City Commission directed the City Manager “to work with Mr. Moran and his team to bring back a plan for a new Sarasota County Tax Collector building on the City Hall campus, including the City Attorney in those conversations.”
On July 1, 2026, the City of North Port received a formal letter of interest from Sarasota County Tax Collector, Mike Moran, requesting a discussion regarding the potential purchase of City-owned property located at the southeast corner of City Hall Boulevard and North Main Street.
At the April 11, 2023, City Commission Regular Meeting, the Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2023-03, which included City Commission Policy No. 2023-01, Inventory, Disposal, and Acquisition of Real Property. Section II.C.4.a of the policy states: “Within a reasonable time after receipt, and prior to negotiating, the City Manager must present to the City Commission any offer or request to purchase City-owned commercial property.”
In accordance with Policy No. 2023-01, the City Manager is seeking direction from the City Commission regarding potential negotiations for the sale of City-owned property. Any final disposition of the property would be brought back to the City Commission for future consideration and approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
If the City Commission directs the City Manager to proceed with discussions and negotiations, there is no immediate fiscal impact from the direction itself because the action would not approve a sale, sale price, purchase and sale agreement, or disposition of property.
If negotiations result in a proposed sale, potential financial impacts would be presented to the City Commission with any future proposed agreement.
Potential sale proceeds could generate cash proceeds that could be used in the General Fund.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Letter
2. Policy 2023-01
3. November 4, 2025 Minutes
Prepared by: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager