In the City of Sarasota, the most powerful person at City Hall is not elected.
The city operates under a commission-manager form of government. Five elected commissioners set policy, pass ordinances and approve the budget. The mayor, chosen by fellow commissioners, presides over meetings and serves as the city’s public representative but does not supervise staff or direct daily operations.
Instead, that authority belongs to the city manager—an appointed executive who oversees departments, prepares the budget, negotiates contracts and implements the commission’s decisions…