The Sarasota County Commission has expressed interest in streamlining public-private partnerships for major projects, after some criticism in August for such a deal with a major local developer.
The update was requested by Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, who said he supported public-private partnerships (P3s) as a more financially efficient way for the county to go through with major infrastructure projects, especially in light of a looming budget crunch.
“I know there are many other projects that have gone that way, and there are several projects that I know we’re looking at, even in solid waste, some other areas where a P3 really might be appropriate,” Cutsinger said, after a presentation by the Office of Financial Management outlining the process.
Why was the road deal with developer Pat Neal controversial?
The request came after the board took a lot of flak for such a partnership with mega-developer Pat Neal. In August, it agreed to pay Neal $15 million to build an extension to Manasota Beach Road. Residents who live along the road’s rural enclave blasted the move as a way for Neal to profit from the taxpayers while connecting his housing subdivision in central county to Manasota Beach. Neal framed the deal as an altruistic effort to save the county money…