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-41.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-41.
• Pros:
o Enables City staff to begin discussions with Sarasota County staff regarding issues related to a proposed voluntary annexation request of approximately 3,146 acres of private property known as Winchester Ranch into the corporate limits of North Port.
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-41
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2026-R-41.
• Pros: There are no identifiable advantages to the denial of Resolution No. 2026-R-41.
• Cons: Lack of coordination between the City of North Port and Sarasota County would complicate service delivery to the property.
Background Information
The City has received an annexation request from Winchester Florida Ranch, LLLP, the owner of approximately 3,146 acres of property, also known as Winchester Ranch, currently located in unincorporated Sarasota County.
Portions of the Winchester Ranch property lay outside the Sarasota County Urban Service Area as it was shown on the Future Land Use Map of Sarasota County dated November 2006. As such, according to the Sarasota County Charter, the City of North Port does not have the authority to assign future land use designations to such portions of the Winchester Ranch property. However, the Sarasota County Charter allows the City of North Port and Sarasota County to enter into an Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement (ISBA) that would designate and control the land use for the property and establish delivery of service provisions following annexation.
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 ISBAs to jointly determine future land use; how 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.
Adoption of Resolution 2026-R-41 does not bind the City or Sarasota County in any way but only authorizes the City to invite Sarasota County to negotiate with the City and draft a proposed ISBA. Should the City Commission approve Resolution 2026-R-41, the signed Resolution will be transmitted to Sarasota County. Sarasota County would then need to adopt a responding Resolution.
Following negotiation between the City and Sarasota County, any ISBA drafted through negotiations 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-41
Prepared by: Michael Fuino, City Attorney
Alaina Ray, AICP, Development Services Director
Department Director: Alaina Ray, AICP, Development Services Director