Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/166173
Sarasota News Leader September 6, 2013 Mowing in the county "[has] been a mess … since 2008," Barbetta said. Noting that Storm Tech is going out of business, he added that he felt county staff actions had been a factor in the owners' decision. Page 55 the County Commission. Reid is ultimately responsible for all other hiring and firing decisions. Officially, the motion the board approved on Aug. 28 calls for one-year contracts to be "Spencer, it's not your fault," Barbetta con- awarded to firms that were the next-low bidtinued, speaking directly to Anderson. "But ders to mow the zones where the other comthe same people are here that put us in this panies had ceased working. position, and, unfortunately, because of our DeMarsh concurred with Anderson that the charter, I can't do anything about it." board had no obligation to renew for anothThe county charter specifies that County Ad- er year the contracts it approved on Aug. 28, ministrator Randall Reid and County Attorney even though renewal options were included Stephen DeMarsh are the only employees of in the documents. A chart lists county mowing requirements. Image courtesy of Sarasota County