8 Mar 2019


TOP STORIES:

 

March 11 public meeting planned on proposed agreement between City of Sarasota and Bay Park Conservancy for downtown city property

Any members of the public interested in the proposed agreement between the City of Sarasota and a nonprofit organization that will manage and raise funds for The Bay project in downtown Sarasota are welcome to attend a meeting set for Monday, March 11, at the Blue Pagoda Building in downtown Sarasota, City Manager Tom Barwin announced this week.


Executive search firm to assist with finding candidates for Sarasota city auditor and clerk

The majority of the Sarasota city commissioners agreed this week that they would like for an outside “headhunting” firm to work with the city’s Human Resources Department in finding candidates for the position of city auditor and clerk. During their regular meeting on March 4, they asked that Stacie Mason, director of the Human Resources Department, draft a scope of work reflecting that decision and bring it back to them for review.


Author of book on Siesta Key talks of his research regarding the importance of Big Pass as protection for the barrier island

As the Siesta Key Association (SKA) continues to wage a battle in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court to try to prevent the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass, the value of preserving the pass in its virgin state was underscored on March 2 by the guest speaker at the nonprofit’s annual meeting.


Sarasota city staff beginning assessment of needed improvements at Lido Pavilion

City of Sarasota staff is working to ensure concessions will continue to be available at the Lido Pavilion, and it also is considering “modest restoration plans within the current [building] footprint,” City Manager Tom Barwin has reported.


With expectation project bids will be advertised this summer, Sarasota County Commission has to decide on joining Charlotte County in Manasota Key Beach renourishment project

Because of state and federal regulations that protect “hardbottom,” the consultant who working on a beach joint renourishment project for Sarasota and Charlotte counties has recommended a less extensive Sarasota County initiative on part of Manasota Key.


Sarasota County finance staff finally works out agreement for Manatee to repay sales tax revenue it mistakenly received

It will take four years, but Manatee County will repay Sarasota County, Sarasota County’s municipalities and the Sarasota County School Board almost $4 million in sales tax revenue that the state inadvertently distributed to Manatee County. That was the news Kim Radtke, director of the county’s Office of Financial Management, delivered to the County Commission on Feb. 26.


Braves’ Spring Training complex in West Villages nearing completion, with first game set for March 24

With slightly more than three weeks to go before the first game at the new facilities, Carolyn Eastwood, director of the Sarasota County Capital Projects Division, told the Sarasota and Charlotte county commissioners on Feb. 28 that workers were “getting very close” to completing the Atlanta Braves Spring Training complex in the West Villages outside North Port.


TripAdvisor to remit ‘bed tax’ revenue to Sarasota County in connection with accommodations services provided through its website

The Sarasota County Commission has approved an agreement with TripAdvisor that will allow the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office to collect county “bed tax” revenue from owners of accommodations advertised through the website. The unanimous vote came as the board addressed its Consent Agenda of routine business items on Feb. 26.


Outgoing Siesta Key Association president reviews a year of numerous challenges

In his final remarks as president of the Siesta Key Association (SKA), Gene Kusekoski offered a deadpan opening as he looked out at the approximately 120 people assembled in the Community Center of St. Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key: “So it’s been a quiet year; not much going on.”


Siesta Seen

Spring break is been well underway on the Key, Sgt. Paul Cernansky, leader of the Sheriff’s Office substation at Siesta Public Beach, has reported. “If you guys haven’t noticed the traffic, we definitely did this past weekend at the beach,” he said during the Feb. 20 quarterly meeting of Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce members.


OPINION (free):

 

Cartoon of the Day


Editorial: End discrimination against women



OTHER NEWS (free):

Photo essay: ‘Trampus naturalis’ — the bird’s guide to humans in the landscape


City of Sarasota rolls out new recycling carts


Spring break means enhanced crime prevention efforts for Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office


Sarasota Memorial named among 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health


State Rep. Good files water quality protection bill


Registration open for 2020 Drive, Chip & Putt Qualifier at Bobby Jones Golf Club


S&P affirms credit ratings for Sarasota County


Eastwood named Government Engineer of the Year