SARASOTA COUNTY — The Sarasota County Commission made a loud and clear statement to the city of North Port Tuesday: We are not interested in selling our half of Warm Mineral Springs.

Tuesday’s decision marks the latest twist in the ongoing saga
on what will happen with the 81-acre Springs and day spa, which the city and county jointly purchased for $5.5 million two years ago. North Port’s decision to sell the Springs property came during a meeting last month, in which the city was to discuss its future operation and development. Despite some city commissioners wanting to move the conversation in a different direction, Commissioner Cheryl Cook made the motion to sell the Springs in its entirety,
and Mayor Linda Yates and Commissioner Rhonda DiFranco agreed in a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Tom Jones and Jim Blucher strongly dissented.