The next phase of Siesta Key’s beautification effort now has a team behind it.

Sarasota County commissioners on July 8 confirmed their individual appointments to the Siesta Key Beautification Task Force and selected two at-large members from a pool of 11 applicants, completing the seven-member advisory group that will help guide future improvements on the island.

The appointed members received Florida Government in the Sunshine Law training before the task force’s first meeting, scheduled for July 17.

Eileen Dutka, Sarasota County’s commission services manager, presented the item during the July 8 commission meeting. Dutka said commissioners adopted a resolution May 19 establishing the Siesta Key Beautification Task Force, after which the county opened the application period for the two at-large seats.

The task force was created to review existing reports, studies and stakeholder input related to beautification and associated improvements on Siesta Key, identify opportunities to enhance the island’s appearance and character, and develop recommendations for the County Commission.

The county’s task force webpage lists the seven members as Barbara Lancer and Tina Landry, at-large members; Rebecca Keiver, District 1; Natalie Gutwein, District 2; Robert Luckner, District 3; Mason Tush, District 4; and Rick Munroe, District 5.

Board Chair Ron Cutsinger announced July 8 that Lancer and Landry had been selected as the at-large members following a paper ballot vote by commissioners earlier that morning. Each received four of the five possible votes.

The other at-large applicants were Bonnie Whisman, Keith Povich, Robert Strader, Michelle Blair, Julian Parry, Tracy Geannopulos, Tommy DeAlano, Allan Nemore and David Samec, according to the county’s appointment worksheet.

Luckner, appointed by Commissioner Tom Knight, said in a July 14 email that he was honored to serve on the task force. He cited 45 years of experience as an engineer and project manager with ExxonMobil, as well as an engineering and management consultant to industry, in addition to earning a doctorate in engineering from Virginia Tech.

Luckner also noted his previous service on two Sarasota County advisory councils, the Siesta Key Association board and the Siesta Key Alliance.

“I am confident our task force will be able to deliver a great Siesta Key Master Plan to the county,” Luckner wrote.

The task force will serve in an advisory role and will have no decision-making authority. Its work may include reviewing previous studies, discussing community priorities, evaluating potential improvements and engaging residents, businesses, community organizations and subject matter experts.

Areas of focus may include streetscapes and corridors, landscaping and vegetation, signage and wayfinding, public spaces, beach access areas, and cleanliness and maintenance. The group is expected to provide periodic updates to commissioners and submit a final written report before completing its work.

The task force is scheduled to remain active through Dec. 31, 2027.

Commissioner Joe Neunder, whose district includes the southern portion of Siesta Key, asked during the July 8 meeting whether the task force’s timeline should be extended from 18 months to two years. Dutka said the adopted resolution already allows the task force to continue through the end of 2027. If additional time is needed, commissioners could revisit the issue.

The appointments mark another step in the county’s broader effort to develop a new Siesta Key Community Master Plan. Commissioners authorized that process earlier this year following renewed discussion about beautification, safety, infrastructure, maintenance and storm recovery on the barrier island.

The master plan is expected to build on previous county documents, including the 1999 Siesta Key Community Plan, the Sarasota County Comprehensive Plan, county code provisions and the Siesta Key Overlay District.

County staff previously said Comprehensive Plan amendments are not anticipated as part of the process, although changes could be pursued if directed by the County Commission. If that occurs, the selected consultant could be asked to assist with the amendment process.

Meanwhile, the county continues reviewing proposals from consulting firms interested in leading the master plan effort. The first evaluation of consultant proposals was scheduled for June 30, followed by a second evaluation meeting, including firm presentations, on July 14.

The bid process attracted planning, architecture, engineering and design firms from across the region, including Kimley-Horn, ADEAS-Q of Tampa, Fawley Bryant Architecture and Hoyt Architects, both of Sarasota, RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture, Stantec Consulting Services of Clearwater, and Sweet Sparkman Architects of Sarasota.

RVi previously worked with the Siesta Key Beautification Alliance to evaluate island conditions and recommend improvements following the 2024 hurricane season, when storm damage renewed attention on infrastructure, cleanup, maintenance and long-term planning.

The new task force is expected to work alongside county staff and the selected consultant to help identify community priorities and concerns as the master plan moves forward.

On July 8, Commissioner Mark Smith, who has been a leading advocate for the beautification initiative, thanked everyone who applied to serve and emphasized the importance of the task force’s work.

“A lot’s riding on you, so get it done,” Smith said with a smile.

Cutsinger then formally entered the appointments into the record.

“We have our team,” Cutsinger said. “Time to get to work.”