20160603-3 Jun 2016

Free Family Field Trip program beginning next week in Sarasota County

Passes available at county’s nine libraries, entitling families of four free admission to attractions such as Mote Marine Aquarium and Big Cat Habitat

From June 6 through Aug. 6, families will be able to stop by any of Sarasota County’s nine public libraries and pick up a pass that will allow them free admission to five of the county’s well-known attractions, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. (Read more »)

County Commission planning thorough discussion of how to approach incentives issues in the future

One board member indicates money set aside to help lure firms to the area could be put to better use in aiding local companies

After turning down the opportunity to use state and local tax incentives to try to secure the relocation of a national firm’s corporate headquarters to Sarasota, the Sarasota County Commission has asked County Administrator Tom Harmer to oversee a thorough staff report on the process that led to the May 24 discussion of “Project Mulligan,” followed by recommendations for future board action. (Read more »)

County’s revised ‘road-map for the future’ to undergo board review

Draft of the latest version of the Comprehensive Plan on the County Commission agenda for June 8 and June 10

During its regular meetings on June 8 and June 10, the Sarasota County Commission will hold public hearings on the elements of the latest draft of the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which has been undergoing a revision since March 2015. (Read more »)

Army Corps of Engineers preparing to submit its seagrass mitigation plan for the Lido Renourishment Project to state staff this month

Save Our Siesta Sand 2 gets more answers to questions it submitted to the city and the federal agency about potential impacts of the project, but its concerns are not allayed, the chair says

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is finalizing the seagrass mitigation plan required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the permit application the USACE and the City of Sarasota filed in March 2015 for the proposed $19-million Lido Key Renourishment Project, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. (Read more »)

Property values come in higher across the board in Sarasota County

Sarasota County’s total value is up close to $10 billion in three years, for a total surpassing $50 billion

Although the final property value changes are not due until July 1, preliminary figures from the Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s Office show the total county value up 7.78 percent from 2015, while the increase for the City of Sarasota is 7.83 percent. (Read more »)

Elections of Mayor Shaw and Vice Mayor Freeland Eddie set precedent

Debate over growth and city/county disputes among topics raised in city commissioners’ comments on May 27

It took two votes to arrive at a decision after three Sarasota city commissioners nominated themselves for mayor, but Willie Shaw will continue in the ceremonial post, the board decided on May 27. (Read more »)

With a budget in the black expected this year, the Sarasota County School Board will not need any fund balance to fill a gap, the deputy CFO says

Higher trends for medical and dental claims payments are one concern, however, with the district having become self-insured

As Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White prepares to present her tentative budget for the 2017 fiscal year on July 19, the School Board is expected to have more revenue in its unassigned fund balance — or “rainy day fund” — than it originally anticipated. (Read more »)

Siesta Seen

New tenant for former 7-Eleven store should be announced soon; Terry continues quest for improved safety for swimmers at Turtle Beach; Siesta Beach lands at No. 2 on Dr. Beach’s latest list; beach concessions contract renewed; Tatge gets a fond farewell; and the Daiquiri Deck has new treats

A new business should be named within a couple of weeks for the building that formerly housed the 7-Eleven at 5232 Ocean Blvd. in Siesta Village, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. (Read more »)

Kids’ Summer Beach Runs will begin anew June 7 and 8

Events to be sponsored at Siesta and Brohard beaches through Aug. 9 and 10

Parents looking for healthful activities for their children this summer will find one answer in the form of Kids’ Summer Beach Runs, presented by the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, and New Balance Sarasota, the county has announced. (Read more »)

Phillippi Shores Elementary School musical groups excel at Music USA Festival held in Orlando

This is the fourth year the school has sent students to the event

During the Music USA Festival held recently at Universal Studios Orlando, the 18-member PYP-Sticks group from Phillippi Shores Elementary School in Sarasota won first place in the elementary percussion division of their competition, and the school’s 60-member Show Choir received second place in the elementary choir division in which it competed, the Sarasota County School District has announced. (Read more »)

CONA to host forum for County Commission candidates

Event to be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 13

On Monday, June 13, at 7 p.m., the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) will host a forum for candidates seeking to represent Districts 1, 3 and 5 on the County Commission, CONA has announced. (Read more »)

Team completes 388-page report detailing 100 years of Newtown history

Presentation of findings to be made to the City Commission on June 6

A report that traces the 100-year history of Sarasota’s African American community has been completed, the Newtown Conservation Historic District (NCHD) team has announced. (Read more »)

Sarasota County named Tree City USA community for 25th consecutive year

Arbor Day Foundation confers the honor

The Arbor Day Foundation recently named Sarasota County a Tree City USA community for the 25th consecutive year, an achievement that demonstrates the county’s continued commitment to positive environmental stewardship, the county has announced. (Read more »)

County’s annual summer fertilizer restrictions in effect as of June 1

Extension staff offers tips for lawn care

Sarasota County staff is reminding residents to “Be Floridian” and refrain from applying fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 to Sept. 30. The County Code “prohibits the use of these lawn or landscape fertilizers during the rainy season because they can get washed into our ponds and bays, harming our environment,” a county news release explains. (Read more »)

‘Bike rodeo’ at Shamrock Park in Venice to kick off Sarasota County summer reading at Jacaranda Public Library

Event to be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8

A bike rodeo at Shamrock Park and Nature Center will kick off the summer reading program at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library in Venice, Sarasota County’s Libraries and Historical Resources Department staff has announced. (Read more »)

City unveils new website with geographic information

Layers of data available to the public

A new website featuring an array of detailed information about the City of Sarasota, including the location of utility lines, bike paths, neighborhood associations and emergency shelters is available on the city’s website, www.SarasotaGov.com, staff has announced. (Read more »)