20180824-24 Aug 2018


TOP STORIES:

First public hearing on Siesta Promenade set for Oct. 4 before county Planning Commission

County Commission hearing tentatively set for Oct. 23, but county staff says board might change that date

Sarasota County Planning and Development Services staff has scheduled the first hearing on the proposed Siesta Promenade development for Thursday, Oct. 4, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. That will be before the county Planning Commission. The meetings of that advisory board begin at 5 p.m. (Read more »)


Increases in solid waste fees for residential and commercial customers win City Commission approval on 4-1 vote on first reading

Commissioner Brody casts lone ‘No’ vote

With a 4-1 vote, the Sarasota City Commission this week approved the first reading of an ordinance that would increase both residential and commercial rates for solid waste collections, effective Oct. 1. Commissioner Hagen Brody cast the “No” vote during the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 20. The proposed monthly fee for residential users for trash and recycling collection is $24.55, an increase of $1.89. (Read more »)


Sarasota County General Fund expenditures expected to rise only 2.7% from 2018 fiscal year to FY 2019

Smaller gaps expected in later fiscal years if extra homestead exemption passes on Nov. 6 ballot

Thanks to a reduction of almost $473,000 in the proposed budget of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office — and other changes since June — the Sarasota County Commission this week was looking at an increase of only 2.7% in its General Fund spending for the 2019 fiscal year. (Read more »)


Shift in county allocations of ‘bed tax’ revenue proposed to cover repairs at Ed Smith Stadium and to help pay for Mote Marine aquarium

Less money would be available for promoting Sarasota County to tourists

During their June budget workshops, the Sarasota County commissioners talked at length about the need for an in-depth discussion regarding allocations of the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue the county receives. (Read more »)


With judge having reduced jury award in Buck-Leiter case, city commissioners to hold ‘shade’ meeting on settlement issues

Quartermaine chops award from almost $50 million to about $1.5 million

By consensus this week, the Sarasota City Commission agreed to City Attorney Robert Fournier’s request for a “shade” meeting next month to discuss settlement negotiations and other strategies involving a lawsuit over the development of the Palm Avenue parking garage. (Read more »)


City Commission approves formal agreement with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for long-term Lido Key Beach stabilization project

Two members of the public question aspects of that project and a planned emergency initiative using sand from New Pass

Responding to concerns raised by two members of the public, as well as city commissioner questions, the City of Sarasota’s engineer, Alexandrea DavisShaw, on Aug. 20 defended the proposal to dredge Big Sarasota Pass to renourish about 1.6 miles of South Lido Key Beach. (Read more »)


Interim SCAT director gets final County Commission approval to solicit bids for private operator

Timeline calls for recommendation by end of the year

With plenty of plaudits for the interim Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) director, the county commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 22 to authorize staff to proceed with efforts that could lead to their contracting with a private firm to operate the county’s bus service. (Read more »)


Aug. 29 public hearings to focus on bevy of proposed Sarasota County Charter amendments

County Commission is seeking approval of several measures of its own to change citizen-initiated petition drive process

After the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously last month to put several of its own proposed Sarasota County Charter amendments on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot, community activists have voiced concerns. (Read more »)


On 4-1 vote, City Commission gives staff time to seek more information about 17th Street building proposed for relocation of Central Records Division

Deputy city attorney reports after Aug. 20 meeting that seller has agreed to extension so determination can be made about hurricane and flood ratings

It took three motions and almost exactly one hour and 20 minutes on Aug. 20 before the Sarasota City Commission voted 4-1 to seek a 60-day extension of the due diligence period involving a contract to purchase a 17th Street structure to house the city’s Central Records Division. (Read more »)


Siesta Seen

County staff working on installation of ‘BigBelly’ solar trash compactor in the Village; a plethora of Village maintenance issues addressed recently; Siesta Chamber working on painting at Village trolley stop; Kompothecras DUI case dropped; FPL LED lighting project at an end; volunteers sought for Crystal Classic; and sea turtles nesting near vacated segment of North Beach Road

In August 2013, more than three years before the Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) was absorbed into the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, a past SKVA president suggested what a great addition to the Village a solar-powered garbage compactor would be. (Read more »)


OPINION (free):

Cartoon of the Day


Letter to the Editor: Maio a ‘no show’


Letter to the Editor: Don’t vote for ‘invisible’ candidates


OTHER NEWS (free):

Early voting for Aug. 28 primary election to end Saturday, Aug. 25, supervisor of elections reminds citizens


Selby Gardens board extends CEO’s contract by 10 years


Voters should return vote-by-mail ballots promptly, supervisor of elections says, to avoid mail delays


Polling place change announced for voters in Precinct 435 in city of Venice


Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition presents 22 scholarships with value of $74,000