Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/352007
Hines added in his July 23 letter that he had been advised County Administrator Tom Harmer and North Port City Manager Jonathan Lewis "are in regular communica- tion with respect to the sale." Hines further indicated that Harmer and County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh are col- laborating on the terms of the contract regarding the city's purchase of the Springs "so that the two commissions can move for- ward expeditiously." Blucher added in his letter, "We believe that it is important to prevent or at least limit the closing of Warm Mineral Springs to the great- est extent possible." The short-term management contract with National and State Park Concessions is set to expire on Aug. 31, according to the agreement for Warm Mineral Springs approved earlier this year by the city and the county boards. In a July 16 memo to county Parks and Recreation Director Carolyn Brown, DeMarsh wrote that he and his staff have considered a request from the City Commission to extend that short-term contract. However, the county "cannot be party to any extension [of it] under Section 125.35, Florida Statutes," he pointed out. "The County is required to utilize a com- petitive process when it conveys an interest in County property to a private entity." DeMarsh added that the contract existing between the two local governments and National and State Park Concessions "did not allow for the ability to extend the term." On July 8, Brown emailed the County Commission the latest Warm Mineral Springs revenue report she had received from the City of North Port. Since National and State Park Concessions began its operation on April 9, she wrote, the total amount collected was $353,321. % Tom Harmer is the county administrator. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader July 25, 2014 Page 60