Jon Mast has spent 12 years leading the Suncoast Builders Association, and he does not waste time explaining what the group actually does: keep government consistent enough that builders and roofers can plan around it. He tells the hosts that permitting, building codes and zoning reviews need to stay predictable so that a company can know what to expect from inspections and approvals, a mission that sounds simple but plays out as a constant fight across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Mast puts real numbers behind that fight. Between the two counties last year, he says there was $5.3 billion in stated permit value, with around 9,000 permits pulled in the metro service area alone, and roughly 620 business members currently in the association out of about 6,000 eligible local contractors. He also explains the split between the group's two membership types, builder members like general contractors and developers, and associate members that include roofers, tradespeople and suppliers like Trey.
A Lawsuit Over Impact Fees
The most pointed story in the episode is a lawsuit the association filed against Manatee County after it raised impact fees by more than 500 percent, a jump Mast argues violates state law limiting increases to 50 percent at a time under Senate Bill 180. He describes the county collecting the disputed increases into escrow while the case proceeds, and recalls the association's earlier win getting a state statute changed to cap how much permit-fee reserve money counties could hold, a change that directly lowered permit fees for builders and homeowners alike.
Roundabouts and Rapid Fire
Unlike most guests, Mast says he loves Sarasota's roundabouts because they keep traffic moving, reserving his frustration instead for drivers who do not know how to use them. Before the Rapid Fire Gauntlet, he recommends Kim Boone of the association's membership committee as a future guest.
From a $5.3 billion permitting economy to a live lawsuit over Manatee County fee hikes, Jon Mast's conversation is a rare, detailed look at the regulatory fights shaping how Sarasota actually gets built. His willingness to walk through both the wins and the ongoing legal battles gives listeners a far more complete picture of local development policy than most civic meetings ever provide.
What you'll take away
- Sarasota and Manatee counties saw a combined $5.3 billion in stated permit value last year, per Mast.
- The Suncoast Builders Association has roughly 620 business members out of about 6,000 eligible local contractors.
- The association is suing Manatee County over impact fee increases of more than 500 percent, arguing it violates Senate Bill 180's 50 percent cap.
- A past association win got a state statute changed, capping county permit-fee reserves and lowering permit fees.
- Mast loves Sarasota's roundabouts, saying the real problem is drivers who do not know how to use them.
“I love roundabouts.”
Places mentioned: Manatee County