20161125-25 Nov 2016

Salvation Army contract for beds for the homeless renewed by City Commission

Up to 30 beds are available, but the city pays only for those used for individuals receiving assistance through its HOT teams

On a unanimous vote this week, the Sarasota City Commission approved the renewal of a contract with the Salvation Army that provides for up to 30 emergency shelter beds for homeless individuals. (Read more »)


County filmmaking rebate program wins another $213,402, with new Commissioner Moran voting, ‘No’

Board hears that the program has led to about $3.5 million in direct spending in the county since the program was established in 2010

With two new elected officials on the board, the Sarasota County Commission split 4-1 on its second vote of Nov. 22, which allocated $213,402 to replenish the county’s Film and Entertainment Industry Rebate Incentive Program to the original amount of $250,000. (Read more »)


Nonprofit providing Housing First dwellings for the city wins flexibility regarding number of units

CASL still will provide homes for eight people with funding allocated to the city from the federal government

Given the lapse of time between the period a regional nonprofit organization began researching duplexes it could purchase for the City of Sarasota’s Housing First initiative and the time it received funds from the city to pay for the units, the price had gone up, the nonprofit’s CEO told the City Commission this week. (Read more »)


SANCA CEO promises new county commissioner details about funding to complete Benderson Park finish tower

Robert Sullivan and County Administrator Tom Harmer assure the board that the money is available for that key piece of infrastructure for the World Rowing Championships

With 305 days to go from Nov. 22 to the opening of the World Rowing Championships on Sept. 23, 2017 at Nathan Benderson Park, the new CEO of the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates (SANCA) told the Sarasota County Commission this week that the finish tower is expected to be completed in January or February 2017. (Read more »)


County’s Tourist Development Tax revenue marks another record in the 2016 fiscal year

The $20-million total is up 4.9% compared to the figure from the previous year; Sarasota County lands another major event: the 2018 World Sailing Conference

It is difficult to follow up a year that saw record Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue with an even better year, but “you did it,” Phillip Downs, a consultant working with Visit Sarasota County, told the county’s Tourist Development Council last week. (Read more »)


Two new Sarasota County commissioners begin their terms

Nancy Detert and Mike Moran join re-elected Commissioner Charles Hines and Commissioners Alan Maio and Paul Caragiulo on the board

After taking turns swearing their oaths before Judge Thomas Krug of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, new Sarasota County Commissioners Nancy Detert of Venice and Mike Moran of Sarasota, along with re-elected Commissioner Charles Hines, joined Chair Alan Maio and Vice Chair Paul Caragiulo on the dais on Nov. 22 in downtown Sarasota. (Read more »)


Arts and cultural programs saw another climb in tourist participation during the 2016 fiscal year

Sports tourism saw 20% growth in economic impact from FY15 to FY16

Tourists’ attendance at arts and cultural programs continues to climb, Jim Shirley, executive director of the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, reported to the county’s Tourist Development Council last week. (Read more »)


20th century’s top choreographers represented in Sarasota Ballet’s November performances

Balanchine still technically challenging; Sinfonietta’s dancing a delight; Gala Performance proves dated, in spite of ballerinas’ talents

Iain Webb is celebrating both his 10-year milestone as director of the Sarasota Ballet and his surprising achievement in transforming a small, regional ballet company into an international one known for its repertoire by the British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton. (Read more »)


Sarasota Chapter of ACLU of Florida launches discussion series regarding civil liberties in response to election

First program set for Dec. 1 at Selby Library

In response to concerns over civil liberties in the upcoming Trump administration, the Sarasota Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida will hold a series of monthly programs titled Ask the ACLU, the organization has announced. (Read more »)


Library Foundation offered grant to help complete Children’s Literacy Endowment Campaign

Nonprofit organization needs to raise another $164,000 by Dec. 31 to win the grant

The Library Foundation for Sarasota County has received notice that it will get $50,000 from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation if it can raise an additional $164,000 it needs for a campaign with a Dec. 31 deadline, the Library Foundation has announced. (Read more »)


Teachers and support staff in Sarasota County expected to get 4% raises retroactive to July 1

Tentative agreement must be ratified first by employees in December; if approved, it will be considered by the School Board on Jan. 3

Teachers and support staff — such as classroom aides, bus drivers and cafeteria workers — in the Sarasota County School District are expected to receive a 4% raise retroactive to July 1, the start of the district’s fiscal year, as a result of contract negotiations that recently concluded, the district has announced. (Read more »)


Property tax payments may be paid at drive-through windows on two days next week, Nov. 28 and Nov. 30

Nov. 30 is the last day to get a 4% discount

Wednesday, Nov. 30, is the last day to pay property taxes with a 4% discount, Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates is reminding the public. (Read more »)


Robinson, Zucker take their oaths as School Board members

Ceremony held on the morning of Nov. 22 at The Landings

Eric Robinson was sworn in by Sarasota County Judge Erika Quartermaine on Nov. 22 as the newest member of the School Board of Sarasota County, while longtime board member Caroline Zucker took her oath from retired Judge Lee Haworth. (Read more »)


Surveyors to begin gathering utility data for City of Sarasota starting Nov. 28

Initiative in specific areas related to Lift Station 87 project

In the city of Sarasota beginning Nov. 28, surveyors will be in the field collecting data along Osprey Avenue, Lincoln Drive, Alta Vista Street, Pomelo Avenue and Pomelo Place, city staff has announced. (Read more »)


William Merrill and Michael Saunders recognized with Argus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Awards

Honors accorded during nonprofit’s banquet on Nov. 10

The Argus Foundation, a nonprofit business organization in Sarasota, recently recognized Michael Saunders and the late William Merrill, a past Argus Foundation president, during its annual Lifetime Achievement Awards banquet. (Read more »)


Sarasota City Hall and county government offices to be closed on Thanksgiving and Nov. 25

Garbage pickup to be delayed one day; Bobby Jones Golf Club to offer ‘Turkey Shoot’; Lido Pool to remain open Nov. 24 and 25

Sarasota City Hall and Sarasota County government offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday Nov. 25, for the Thanksgiving holiday, the city and county have announced. (Read more »)