Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/348392
response should be limited to, "We want to buy it and here are our conditions." C i t y C o m m i s s i o n c a n d i d a t e L o r e n z o Whitehead also urged the city to keep its response simple. He called the county's offer "fragile." "If we mess this up, we may not get it again," he said. Commissioner Cheryl Cook eventually made the winning motion, agreeing to the county's price — the original $2.75 million — and its insistence that the city pay all closing costs. Included also: a stipulation that the county allow the city to enforce the current manage- ment contract. Mayor Jim Blucher, who has supported the county's plans for the Springs throughout the process, argued against the motion. He said the overall price tag for the Springs would balloon to $7.5 million with the purchase, pointing out the North Port board hadn't fully explored its options. He told The Sarasota News Leader last week his board has refused to negotiate over the property. "This commis- sion has stuck to its guns about keeping it a park," he said, "and the county has tried to negotiate some deals." The County Commission won't meet again till Aug. 20, when it returns from its summer recess. Robinson said the sale process would take at least 30 to 60 days from that point, assuming the county takes up the issue then. In the meantime, two appraisals will be done. Robinson urged patience. "Think about all the criticism we've heard over the years," he told the city commissioners. "Let's make sure we have our ducks in a row." % THE SARASOTA News Leader Old school journalism. 21st century delivery. The award-winning Sarasota News Leader Sarasota County's #1 digital news weekly! Read it online today at SarasotaNewsLeader.com/current The most comprehensive, unbiased coverage of local news and government in the Sarasota County area. Read it on your iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Nook, Android, Laptop, Computer or other Smartphones Available for FREE every Friday Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 45