Mask Ordinance Public Hearing Canceled Tuesday In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — After voting against the extension of the citywide face mask mandate in February, the Sarasota city commissioners were set to discuss the matter a third time since the measure’s expiration at their Tuesday meeting.

But after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Monday banning local emergency orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic — such as mask mandates — the city removed a public hearing on a new proposed face covering ordinance from Tuesday’s agenda.

“In light of the governor’s order, the City Attorney recommended last night (Monday) that the hearing be canceled,” Jason Bartolone, a communications specialist for the city, said.

The city announced the hearing’s cancelation on Facebook, as well.

In February, Mayor Hagen Brody, Vice Mayor Erik Arroyo and Commissioner Kyle Battie voted against extending the emergency mask ordinance. The mandate, requiring face coverings in indoor and outdoor public locations within city limits, expired Feb. 25.

Battie reconsidered the matter, changing his mind about whether Sarasota should have a mask requirement, and revisited the topic at the commission's March 15 meeting. While commissioners supported the motion to revive the ordinance in a 3-2 vote — with Brody and Arroyo voting against it — four votes were needed for it to pass.

Led by Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, commissioners revived the topic at their April 5 meeting. In a 3-2 vote — with Brody and Arroyo voting against masks, again — decided to begin the process of resurrecting the policy.