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 the City of North Port 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities and Information for Presentation at the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation.
Recommended Action
Provide direction to staff regarding the City of North Port 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities and provide direction for the preparation of the Mayor’s presentation of legislative priority information to the Sarasota County Legislative delegation.
Background Information
During the City Commission Workshop on September 9, 2024, the Commission discussed the City’s State and Federal Legislative Priorities. During the Workshop, there was a preliminary discussion of various proposed priorities and an apparent consensus that 2025 priorities should be specific and not general as in previous years. There also was consensus that the final discussion should be after the election so newly elected Commissioners would have an opportunity to participate in the formulation of priorities and funding requests. Staff is seeking discussion and direction for the development of draft State and Federal Legislative Priorities for the 2025 legislative session so that a final draft can be brought to Commission for approval at the City Commission Regular Meeting on December 10, 2024.
Additionally, the City has been invited to attend and speak at a meeting of the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation on December 16, 2024. Historically, the Mayor attends this meeting to represent the City and provides information on the City’s priorities. The time allotted for each speaker is 3 minutes, so remarks are typically concise and focus on one or two of the most significant priorities.
In an effort to ensure effective use of this opportunity, staff seeks direction from the Commission as to the focus for the Mayor’s talking points for the Sarasota County Legislative Delegation meeting. The Presentation Request Form must be completed and submitted to Sarasota County by December 2, 2024, along with any supporting documents.
Attached for consideration is a Memorandum dated November 15, 2024, with staff suggestions and highlights from Commission discussion at the September 9, 2024, Commission Workshop, the 2024 Legislative Priorities, and the Sarasota County Legislative Program for the 2025 legislative session. Additionally, attached is a draft of the 2025 State Legislative Priorities with suggested revisions incorporated. To date, no changes have been suggested by staff or commissioners with regard to the 2025 Federal Legislative Priorities.
The final draft of the 2025 State and Federal Legislative Priorities along with the 2025 legislative funding requests will be brought back to Commission at the December 10, 2024, City Commission Regular Meeting for approval.
Strategic Plan
Good Governance
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Memo - 2025 Legislative Priorities
2. Draft 2025 State Legislative Priorities
3. 2024 State Legislative Priorities
4. 2024 Federal Legislative Priorities
5. Sarasota County Legislative Program
6. Legislative Delegation Invitation
Prepared by: C. Todd Miles, Legislative Analyst
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager