TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement Between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for Daily Transportation Services Supporting the FY2027 Parks & Recreation Department After School Care Program, in Accordance with Unit Pricing.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for daily transportation services supporting the FY2027 Parks & Recreation Department After School Care Program, in accordance with unit pricing.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for daily transportation services supporting the FY2027 Parks & Recreation Department After School Care Program, in accordance with unit pricing.
• Pros: Establishes a transportation arrangement to support the new After School Care Program, with the service schedule and responsibilities outlined in the agreement.
• Cons: Commits the City to the agreement’s final payment and operational terms.
Option 2: Do not approve the execution of the agreement between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for daily transportation services supporting the FY2027 Parks & Recreation Department After School Care Program, in accordance with unit pricing.
• Pros: Avoids committing the City to transportation terms.
• Cons: Requires staff to determine alternative transportation for the After School Care Program, which would likely be less efficient and more costly potentially causing program delays or interruption.
Background Information
Following outreach from the Executive Director of Elementary Schools for Sarasota County Schools, staff identified a significant need for additional after-school care options within the City of North Port. In response to this need, the Department developed an After School Care program designed to provide a safe, structured, and enriching environment for students after the regular school day while offering reliable support for working families.
The program will begin as a pilot at Cranberry Elementary School and Lamarque Elementary School. Daily transportation is essential as participating students must be reliably transported from their respective schools to the City's designated program site.
Budget Proposal No. 3410, “Addition of After School Care Program,” was approved as part of the FY 2027 budget and includes staffing, operational, and programmatic funding for the program.
The proposed agreement with The School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, establishes daily transportation services based on unit pricing and outlines the responsibilities and expectations of both parties. Parks & Recreation staff collaborated with the Sarasota County School District to ensure the arrangement meets the program’s daily operational needs.
The agreement between the school board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for daily transportation services has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The agreement between the school board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida for daily transportation services was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on XXXX, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
The Fiscal Year 2027 adopted budget includes $10,740 in account number 001‑3036‑572.34‑00 for transportation services related to BP3410, “Addition of After School Care Program.” The agreement with the School Board of Sarasota County is expected to be fully supported within the budgeted amount, representing the estimated annual cost for the program year. No additional budget amendment is anticipated at this time.
Procurement
The procurement of transportation services for the After School Care Program is being conducted as a single‑source purchase with the School Board of Sarasota County. Due to the School Board’s exclusive authority and capability to provide student transportation within Sarasota County, no alternative vendors are able to meet the required safety standards, operational protocols, or service continuity necessary for this program. As the sole provider equipped and certified to transport enrolled students between school sites and designated after‑school locations, competitive solicitation is not practical or advantageous.
Attachments:
1. Agreement
2. Budget Proposal 3410
3. City Commission Meeting Minutes September 24, 2026
Prepared by: Shelby Mendelson, Recreation Manager
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director