Sarasota deputy city manager announces retirement

Sarasota will now be on the hunt for a new second in command. On Monday, Deputy City Manager and Public Safety Director Patrick Robinson notified the City Commission and senior staff of his intention to retire, effective May 26, 2026.

Robinson’s retirement will conclude a 25-year career with the city, which included rising to the ranks of deputy chief of police before being named deputy city manager in early 2021. Among the first tasks of new City Manager Karie Friling, whose official state date is May 29, will be to select Robinson's successor.

“I consider myself immensely fortunate to have been granted the unique opportunity to interact with, learn from, and lead some of the finest public servants in our community, state and country,” Robinson wrote in his letter. “Getting to know and collaborate with our neighbors, our businesses and our governmental partners has been an unbelievably rewarding aspect of my tenure here with the city.”

Robinson, 48, grew up in Sarasota, attending Phillippi Shores Elementary, Brookside Middle and Riverview High schools. As Deputy City Manager, he has overseen the police department, Office of Emergency Management, Public Works Department, Parks and Recreation, Public Utilities Department, Information Technology, Office of Homelessness Response Office of Independent Police Advisory Panel and Complaint Committee.

“Growing up here in Sarasota I have seen our area transform from a sleepy fishing village to a complex small urban environment with all the amenities and challenges of municipalities much larger than ours,” Robinson wrote. “We have accomplished so much for our community by working together toward making community better and I am grateful for each of their partnerships and efforts over the years.

“I am proud to have been given the opportunity to be on the front lines with them for a brief moment in the history of our community.”