Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/348392
the county voting last week to sell its share of the property to the city and the city voting this week to take the county up on that offer. Despite all that, the move will not prevent the Springs from closing at the end of August, when the city and county's short-term man- agement contract with National and State Park Concessions expires. More than one attendee at the city's public meeting Monday called the Springs situation a "fiasco," but most speakers supported the city's decision to buy the resort. "The county doesn't always make the best partner," said former Democratic County Commission candidate Jennifer Cohen, a North Port res- ident. "I think this is a lesson learned. We as a city need to keep in mind that we're pretty powerful." While some on the North Port board had dis- cussed amending the city's response to the county's offer to include other items, such as a request that the County Commission call a special meeting during its summer recess to address the issue, those plans were squashed. Referring to the city's response, City Attorney Robert Robinson urged the board, "I don't think you can couch this letter in terms of shifting the subject matter." He argued the North Port City Manager Jonathan Lewis and Mayor James Blucher listen to a discussion at the Sarasota County Convocation of Governments meeting in January. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 44