We're an alliance of neighborhood associations and residents united around one goal: ensuring Sarasota County maintains its waterways as required by its own ordinances.
Whether you've lived here for decades or just moved in, if you care about flooding, infrastructure, and where your stormwater fees go — you're already one of us.
Member Organizations
South Gate Community Association (SGCA)
Neighborhoods directly along Phillippi Creek, among the most impacted by decades of deferred maintenance.
Forest Lakes Country Club Estates (FLCCE)
Upstream community affected by flooding and drainage issues throughout the watershed.
Pinecraft
Historic neighborhood with direct stake in creek conditions and stormwater management.
SAND (Supporters of Action Now on Dredging)
A coalition within the coalition, representing multiple neighborhoods:
- River Forest
- Admiral Place
- Phillippi Cove
- Phillippi Gardens / Terra Bea / Monticello
Working with the County
The PCC formally engages with Sarasota County through regular meetings with:
- Steve Botelho — Deputy County Administrator
- Ben Quartermaine — Stormwater Director
These meetings provide a direct channel to discuss progress, raise concerns, and track commitments. We believe in constructive engagement — showing up prepared, citing the record, and holding the county to its own words.
Why This Exists
After Tropical Storm Debby flooded homes across the watershed in August 2024, residents started asking questions. The answers revealed systemic problems:
- Section 110-311 (Article IX) requires the county to maintain conveyance systems — but maintenance had been deferred for decades
- Only one dredge between 1977 and 2025 (a partial effort from 1998-2002)
- $339 million+ in stormwater fees collected with minimal creek maintenance
- Stormwater rates frozen for 13 years (2009-2022)
- The county pointed residents to Article XXX (a navigational ordinance) instead of acknowledging Article IX responsibilities
The flooding wasn't an act of God. It was a consequence of neglect.
What We're Working Toward
- Full maintenance of Phillippi Creek — as required by ordinance
- Transparency — public accounting of stormwater spending
- Updated infrastructure standards — design criteria based on current climate data
- Accountability — commitments made at BCC meetings honored in practice
- Sustained maintenance — a funded, scheduled program
- County-wide application — Section 110-311 applies to all conveyance systems, not just Phillippi Creek
For Other Communities
This isn't just a Phillippi Creek problem. Section 110-311 covers every stormwater conveyance system in the county. If your waterway isn't being maintained, the same ordinance language applies to you.
The tools and approach documented on this site can be adapted by any community facing similar issues. Organize, document, persist — and cite the ordinance.