Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/235968
LOOKING BACK YEAR IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY A graphic shows potential bus rapid transit system corridors in Sarasota County. Image courtesy Sarasota County Facing a federal deadline and the risk of jeopardizing federal funding for its existing bus system, the Sarasota County Commission votes unanimously on 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, characterizes 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. Bob Stuckey, general manager of public safety communications for Sarasota County, tells the County Commission during a Feb. 8 budget workshop that the initial plans for the new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) came in over budget.