SARASOTA COUNTY – The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously today to name Jonathan Lewis as Sarasota County Administrator.
Lewis, who has been with Sarasota County since April 2017 and served as interim county administrator since December, will be paid $195,000 annually under the terms of the contract approved during today’s regular board meeting.
“It’s an honor to have the board entrust me with this responsiblity,” said Lewis. “Maintaining Sarasota County’s reputation for excellent customer service, responding to citizens in a timely manner and managing the day-to-day business of this organization are some of the most important aspects of this position. I look forward to continuing the tradition of making Sarasota County the premiere community in which to live, work and play.”
Lewis previously served as assistant county administrator since April 2017. Before that appointment, Lewis served as North Port City Manager since May 2011, and as Deputy City Manager of Palm Bay, Fla., from August 2004. He also served as the Assistant Town Manager and Assistant to the Town Manager for the Town of Belleair, Fla.
Lewis is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He earned a Master of Public Administration from the College of Arts and Science at the University of South Florida. Additionally, he completed the Senior Executive in State and Local Government Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
A married father of two, Lewis is a credentialed manager and full member in good standing with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), where he previously served as president of the Florida chapter. Additionally, he’s served as President of the Space Coast Public Management Association and the Suncoast Chapter of the American Society of Public Administration. Lewis currently serves as the chair of the ICMA Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee.