LBK Launches 2026 Citizen and Business Surveys
Input sought for future planning; mailers arrive mid-January
The Town of Longboat Key is initiating its 2026 data collection drive this month, distributing both the Citizen Survey and a newly introduced Business Survey. These instruments are critical for the Town Management Team to gauge satisfaction levels, understand community priorities, and guide service planning for the coming fiscal years.
Property and business owners should anticipate survey mailers arriving around Monday, Jan. 12.
Participation Details
Town officials emphasize that broad participation is vital for statistically valid results.
• Watch your mailbox: If you do not receive a mailer by Jan. 15, please contact the survey customer service line at (941) 404-8332 to request a secure access code.
• Impact: Data collected will directly influence resource allocation and the Town’s strategic planning sessions later this year.
Call for Artists: Capture the ‘Tranquility’ of Longboat Key
Town seeks cover image for state directory; deadline Friday
Local photographers have a final opportunity this week to have their work featured on a statewide stage. The Town is accepting submissions for the cover of the 2026–2027 Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA) Membership Directory.
The Town is looking for a single, high-impact image that conveys the island’s natural beauty and tranquility. In addition to the directory cover, the winning photo will be showcased on the Town’s official website and social media channels.
Submission Guidelines
• Deadline: Friday, Jan. 9 at 4:00 p.m.
• Specs: Digital JPGs only. Cropping is permitted, but images must be free of filters, watermarks, signatures, or date stamps.
• How to Submit: Email high-resolution files to lbknews@longboatkey.org including full photographer credit.
The Communications Team will vet entries and select five finalists, from which the Town Management Team will choose the official submission to the FCCMA.
Canal Maintenance: Workshops to Tackle Funding Methodology
Town moves toward ‘fair share’ model for dredging and upkeep
Following the Town Commission’s recent steps toward establishing a dedicated funding source for waterways, the Town is launching a community engagement phase regarding the Canal Navigation Maintenance Program.
The upcoming workshops will focus on the program’s proposed funding methodology—a critical topic that determines how costs will be shared. Discussions will cover the split between ad valorem taxes (paid by all property owners) and special benefit assessments (paid by those with direct canal access). This hybrid model aims to balance the general economic benefit of healthy waterways with the specific value added to waterfront properties.
Get Involved
Residents should watch for specific meeting dates to be announced throughout the season. The Town is also offering to send staff to private Homeowner Association (HOA) meetings to provide detailed presentations. Community leaders can call Town Hall to schedule a session.
Safety Campaign: Speed Limits Enforced on Multi-Use Paths
10 MPH cap for e-bikes; officials warn of lithium battery fire risks
With the seasonal population swelling, Town officials are cracking down on safety protocols for the island’s 10-mile multi-use pathway. A hard 10 MPH speed limit is being enforced for all users, including cyclists and e-bike riders.
“Riders must keep right, pass on the left, and use a bell when passing,” the Town stated in a recent advisory. Officials are particularly concerned about high-speed e-bikes at blind intersections and driveways. Faster e-bikes are strongly encouraged to use the designated bicycle lanes on Gulf of Mexico Drive (GMD) rather than the sidewalk to prevent conflicts with pedestrians.
Turn Lane Project at Country Club Shores Nears Finish Line
Final walkthrough completed; contractor to be recognized Jan. 20
The Gulf of Mexico Drive and Country Club Shores Turn Lane Project, a significant infrastructure upgrade spanning nearly a mile of the state road, is effectively complete. A final walkthrough was conducted on Dec. 15 with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the Town, and the contractor, Superior Asphalt.
Crews are currently addressing a minor “punch list” of remaining items, including final thermoplastic striping and landscape touch-ups on the newly installed medians. The project introduced center turn lanes and curbed medians to improve safety for residents entering and exiting the Country Club Shores neighborhood.
Completion Ceremony
The project team will be formally recognized for their work at the Town Commission meeting on Jan. 20, 2026. This project is widely viewed as the first completed segment of the Town’s broader “Complete Streets” initiative, which aims to improve GMD for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians alike.
