Sarasota gets a new mayor

As his one-year term as mayor of Sarasota expired on Monday, Kyle Battie handed the gavel to Liz Alpert, who will occupy the center chair of the City Commission Chamber dais for a second time. 

During a statutory meeting on Monday, commissioners unanimously selected Alpert, who served as vice mayor over the past year, to be mayor and Jen Ahearn-Koch to be vice mayor for the coming year. Alpert was previously mayor in 2018-19. Ahearn-Koch held the gavel in 2019-20. 

In Sarasota, the mayor is not an elected position; the mayor serves a one-year term and is selected by the City Commission.

The mayoral selection followed Alpert being awarded a key to the city by Battie, who cited her support and guidance during his year as mayor.