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THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE The County Commission gives the City Commission a mid-April deadline to determine whether support exists for a bus rapid transit system — Rachel Brown Hackney Facing a federal deadline and the risk of jeopardizing federal funding for its existing bus system, the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday, Feb. 5, to give the Sarasota City Commission until April 15 to determine whether it has sufficient constituent interest to support the pursuit of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system for the community. County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who made the motion, characterized the creation of new land-use plans to make a BRT viable — along with the transportation system itself — as means to generate the necessary revenue to save the city from fiscal collapse. "This all comes down to [the fact that] vibrant, successful, desirable cities make great counties, and we want a great city of Sarasota," Barbetta said. "That's why we are here at the table, asking for some help and some input on whether this is a viable plan." (Full story here) WHERE IDEAS GO TO DIE Analysis: City, County commissioners consult without conclusions — Stan Zimmerman About once a year the Sarasota City and County commissions sit together and try to work out common solutions to common problems. This week, once again, the venue was the "Think Tank" on the third floor of the Sarasota County Administration Center on Ringling Boulevard. The room had lots of seats, plenty of video screens and even historical panels on the wall to lend perspective to the hardball discussions. Only four items were on the Tuesday, Feb. 5, agenda. And only one — maybe — "got fixed." Efforts to resolve the homeless problem, the creation of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, extending the term of the Sarasota Community Redevelopment Agency, and stormwater drainage issues in north county all were on the agenda. (Full story here) For Advertising Info Sales@SarasotaNewsLeader.com (941) 227-1080 Click Any Headline To Go Directly To That Article AT A GLANCE TOP STORIES