Sarasota County approves utility extensions to Palmer Ranch, future developments

SARASOTA COUNTY — Sarasota County commissioners have approved a massive reclaimed water project designed to bring services to future development and golf courses south of State Road 681.

The $3.5 million joint effort with the Southwest Florida Water Management District entails extending reclaimed services to Palmer Ranch, Calusa Lakes Development, Calusa Lakes Golf Course and Mission Valley Golf & Country Club.

This was just one major utility project approved by the commission on Tuesday. Others included an effort to lay the groundwork for major upgrades to two of the county’s three reclaimed water treatment facilities and addressing aging infrastructure issues in Sarasota and Venice.

The utility overhauls were unanimously approved without comment. Commissioner Nancy Detert was absent.

Mike Mylett, the county’s utility director, said in an email that the line is being extended in advance of the construction of new and future communities that are anticipated to be high-volume customers.