County Commission halts staff work on Jan. 28 transportation issues agreement with Hi Hat Ranch master developer

On Feb. 11, exactly two weeks after they authorized staff to proceed with an agreement involving transportation access to the first planned phase of the Hi Hat Ranch development in the eastern part of the county, the Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approved a motion, made by Chair Joe Neunder, to stop staff from proceeding with that agreement “at this time.”

Neunder cited “information that has been brought to my attention,” adding that he felt sure his colleagues also had seen it. That was a reference to an article by Michael Barfield, an investigative reporter for the Florida Trident and director of public access at the Florida Center for Government Accountability.

Using information gleaned from county emails and phone records that he had received through a public records request, Barfield reported at length on the behind-the-scenes efforts of county staff members to reach the agreement with representatives of Hi Hat Ranch on issues related to the Bee Ridge Road access to the ranch. Barfield also focused on the involvement of former county Commissioner Al Maio in the discussions, on behalf of Hi Hat Ranch.

Barfield wrote, “Phone records obtained by the Florida Trident also show Maio exchanged dozens of calls with County Administrator Jonathan Lewis over 10 months totaling more than 5 hours.”

However, Barfield added, “Though Lewis provided phone records in response to a public records request about official business, he could not recall any effort by Maio to lobby him on county business.”

Nonetheless, Barfield pointed out, “Florida law bars former commissioners from lobbying county commissioners, the county administrator, and his or her direct reports for compensation for two years after leaving office to prevent conflicts of interest and protect public trust.”

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