Photo of Celebration Sparks Debate in Sarasota Regarding $7.5 Million Grant; Commissioners Redistribute Funds

EDITOR’S NOTE:
UPDATE: April 22, 2025, at 3:13 p.m. — Following the original article’s publication, the Sarasota County Commission voted 3-1 not to proceed with the grant. The grant of $7.5 million will be redirected to other needs stemming from Hurricane Ian. Further information about the commission’s decision is available in the link below.

Key Information

• Grant Amount: $7.5 million federal disaster recovery.
• Commission Vote: 3-1 decision against the grant.
• Grant Recipient: Building Industry Institute (BII) led by CEO Jon Mast.
• Concerns Raised: Lack of transparency, financial accountability, and governance; optics of Mast celebrating the grant.
• Proposal Rankings: BII was the lowest-ranked proposal compared to Suncoast Technical College and Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay.
• Funding Shortfalls: No funds disbursed as Mast has not secured required matching funds or property.

When the Sarasota County Commission narrowly approved a $7.5 million federal disaster recovery grant to the Building Industry Institute (BII) last fall, it was heralded as crucial to revamping workforce training in response to Hurricane Ian. However, controversy erupted soon after when CEO Jon Mast was spotted at a party celebrating the grant with an inappropriate display—a cigar in hand and a custom shirt stating “$7.5 Million.” This facade of celebration did not sit well with local residents, including Cathy Antunes, who remarked, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” criticizing Mast for failing to deliver on the grant’s promises.

The Manasota Air Conditioning Contractors Association (MACCA) joined the backlash in a letter directed to County Commissioners, urging them to reject the grant due to serious concerns regarding governance, financial accountability, and transparency. MACCA highlighted the conflict of interest arising from Mast’s leadership of both the BII and the Suncoast Builders Association, suggesting this could create legal and ethical dilemmas.

Lowest-Ranked Proposal

Among applicants for a total of $15 million designated for workforce training in Sarasota, BII received the lowest proposal ranking from county staff, scoring only 41.7 compared to Suncoast Technical College’s 86.3. Moreover, while Suncoast Technical estimated a cost of $6,818 per trainee, the BII’s program would cost over $31,000 per student according to its own estimates, raising serious questions about cost-effectiveness.

Commission Pauses

In light of public outcry, newly elected Commissioner Tom Knight called for a reevaluation of the grant. Joining him, Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, who had opposed the grant from the outset, expressed a desire for thorough discussion. A 4-0 vote ensued, instructing County Administrator Jonathan Lewis to delay signing any agreement until Mast provided clarity and updates.

Funding Shortfalls, Property Questions

Multiple months after the initial grant approval, not a dollar has been disbursed, primarily because Mast failed to secure the necessary matching funds or property for the project—a fundamental requirement of the agreement. Discrepancies also arose regarding the proposed property location; rather than finalizing the intended site, Mast’s application listed two different addresses, both of which remain unowned by BII.

Community Concerns

As the celebratory photo of Mast circulated, critics voiced broader concerns about the disparity between the promised outcomes and the current reality. Jane Goodwin, former chair of the Sarasota County School Board, expressed her opposition to the grant, labeling it as an “incestuous” affair between Mast and the previous commissioner, Mike Moran. MACCA’s letter raised alarms about the grant’s financial sustainability and advocated for redirecting funds to established institutions like Suncoast Technical, which has a proven track record and accreditation.

Ultimately, many questioned the appropriateness of awarding millions to a nascent nonprofit lacking transparency and accountability. Other organizations have established a reliable reputation, making them more fitting candidates for funding. The ongoing situation underscores a critical debate in Sarasota County regarding the allocation of public funds and the desire for responsible governance amidst a recovery effort.

About the Author: Michael Barfield focuses on the enforcement of open government laws. He serves as an investigative reporter for the Florida Trident and Director of Public Access at the Florida Center for Government Accountability.