Phillippi Creek is a clear example of what happens when a county sidesteps its own code. In 1994, Sarasota County adopted Section 110-311 (Article IX), requiring it to maintain stormwater conveyance systems, including creeks and canals. That obligation is explicit.
Instead, the County relied on Article XXX (2001), a navigational ordinance not intended for stormwater maintenance. It created a petition-based dredging program and shifted the burden and cost to property owners, while residents were pointed to the wrong ordinance for years.
This timeline documents the evidence. Every entry is sourced from public records, county documents, engineering reports, or news coverage.
Why This Matters Now
In August 2024, Tropical Storm Debby exposed the consequences of decades of neglect. The Cowpen Slough dike — breached since 2018 without anyone noticing — flooded 80+ homes in a neighborhood that wasn't even in a flood zone.
The county has since secured federal disaster recovery funds and approved additional local funding. But the fundamental issue remains: the county has a legal obligation under its own ordinance (Section 110-311) to maintain these waterways, and residents now have the documentation to hold them to it.
Phillippi Creek is the case study, but this is a county-wide issue. Any resident on any waterway covered by Section 110-311 can make the same case.