Sarasota Assistant County Administrator Resigns Amid Stormwater Fallout

Sarasota County Assistant Administrator Mark Cunningham | Photo from a screen still of a Florida City & County Management Association video on YouTube

By Michael Barfield and Suncoast Searchlight staff | July 9 2025

Sarasota Assistant County Administrator Mark Cunningham resigned on Wednesday, becoming the highest-ranking official to step down in the wake of revelations about widespread failures in the county’s stormwater management system.

County officials did not disclose the reason for Cunningham’s resignation but said in an emailed statement that County Administrator Jonathan Lewis had accepted it.

“After 13 years of employment with Sarasota County Government, Cunningham will step down from his role on July 31,” the statement said. “County administration is reviewing the hiring process moving forward.”

Cunningham could not be reached for comment.

His departure, effective at the end of the month, follows mounting public scrutiny sparked by a joint investigation from the Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight, which found the county ignored repeated warnings, failed to maintain key flood-control infrastructure and allowed critical staff vacancies to go unfilled — all contributing to catastrophic flooding during the 2024 storm season.

About the author: Michael Barfield is an investigative reporter and FLCGA’s director of public access. He regularly assists journalists across the country with collecting information and publishing news reports obtained from public records and other sources. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters & Editors.

About this project: Florida Trident is partnering with Suncoast Searchlight to examine the challenges facing Florida as it grapples with hurricanes, sea level rise and climate change. This story is part of that statewide effort. Learn more at floridatrident.org and suncoastsearchlight.org.