Sarasota promotes new county attorney from within

Sarasota County government has a new county attorney, and it didn’t have to look far to find him. The County Commission has unanimously selected Assistant County Attorney Josh Moye to succeed the retiring Rick Elbrecht. He will move into the position June 12. Elbrecht, who served as county attorney since April 2019, will retire June 9.

Moye started with the county in 2018 leading the Office of County Attorney’s land use group. He was previously assistant county attorney for Charlotte County, senior attorney for the Florida Elections Commission, lead attorney for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and senior attorney for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Construction Industry Licensing Board.

"Josh is very thorough, efficient and thoughtful in the way he plans to move the department forward,” said County Commission Chairman Ron Cutsinger in a press release. “He has a strong track record in providing sound counsel on policy decisions and litigation matters. Josh’s expertise in land use, real property and general local government will be a tremendous asset for the county as he takes on this new role.” 

Moye grew up in the Tampa Bay area and moved to Sarasota in 2012. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from University of Central Florida, and a juris doctor from the Florida State University College of Law.

"It is an incredible honor to be selected for the county attorney position,” Moye said in the release. “I am grateful for the board’s trust in my abilities to guide them through policy decisions, litigation and working toward achieving their strategic priorities.”

The Office of the County Attorney provides legal services to the county commissioners, Sarasota County constitutional officers, county administration and more than 100 county boards and advisory committees.