Welcome to the Southwest Florida Water Management District

The 40-acre Chassahowitzka River Campground, which was purchased as part of a much larger conservation area, has been a popular recreation area for many years but has not been used for conservation purposes.

The Campground sustained extensive damage during the 2024 hurricane season. The front deck and campground store were severely damaged and present a risk to public safety. The cost to restore the campground and continue operating it, along with other considered repairs, is not an effective way to utilize taxpayer dollars.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) will host a career and internship fair to share information about the many career fields and employment opportunities at the District.

The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the District’s Sarasota Service Office, located at 78 Sarasota Center Blvd. in Sarasota.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s (District) Governing Board voted to decrease property taxes by adopting a proposed rolled-back millage rate of 0.1831 mill for the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The millage rate is 4.1% lower than the current fiscal year adopted millage rate of 0.1909 mill, a savings to taxpayers of more than $5.9 million.

For the owner of a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the District tax would be $18.31 a year, or about $1.53 per month.