Checking Out of Longboat, Checking In at the Circle
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
As you know, there is a vacant, two-story, 12,000-square-foot building on Madison Drive adjacent to St. Armands Circle. With interior renovation into a world-class library to serve St. Armands Key, Lido Key, Bird Key and Longboat Key, it certainly would enjoy far more attendance than the site on Longboat, due to the tremendous foot traffic St. Armands Circle attracts annually.
This would free up more green space for community events and shows at our LBK Town Center Green. Bring back the marketplace and arts and crafts shows residents and visitors want. This plan could also reduce taxpayers’ costs. No need to build an entirely new building.
I also understand St. Armands residents are very worried the general zoning of this site would allow a developer to build a multifamily high-rise building there, which they seriously do not want. How about a nice new Sarasota County Keys Library? Please give this some real thought.
Bob and Shannon Gault
Longboat Key
Reply All
To: Bob Gault
Thank you for your continued interest in the library and your suggestions to improve St. Armands. Perhaps the City of Sarasota and the homeowners association of St. Armands would be interested in some of your suggestions? I’ve copied them on this email.
Debra Williams
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Now Showing: Twelve Chairs, Twelve Minutes
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
Also, a small “theater” with a dozen chairs and a big-screen TV with a 12-minute repeating reel explaining LBK’s history, with photos of all the marine birds, mammals and turtles that inhabit Longboat and about the importance of our mangroves and beaches, would be interesting.
Bob Gault
Longboat Key
Cc: The County
To: Bob Gault
Thank you for your email and thoughtful suggestions regarding the recognition and preservation of Longboat Key’s history. I think your ideas could be incorporated beautifully into the programming of the new library, whether through a permanent exhibit, a curated collection of books and historical materials, as you suggested, or public presentations on local history.
Since the new Longboat Key library will be operated and programmed by Sarasota County Libraries, I am copying the County Library Director on this email with the hope of initiating a dialogue about how your suggestions might be brought to fruition. Thank you again for sharing your ideas and for your interest in preserving Longboat Key’s rich history.
Debra Williams
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
From the Calusa to the Cash Register
To: Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams
There seems to be, in general, ambivalence toward having a county library on Longboat. Sort of a nice-to-have, but…
In addition, since the library was proposed a couple of years ago, we all now carry around a small machine with superintelligence at our convenience 24/7.
As someone with an attractions background, it’s always about how to create quality content to attract patrons.
As you are well aware, Longboat Key has a rich natural history heritage, from Juan de Añasco, a scout for de Soto and the first European to scout Longboat in 1538, finding longboats left behind by the Spaniards, along with the Calusa and Timucua Indians fishing here before that, through the John Ringling ownership years, etc.
In addition, we are blessed to have a natural wonderland of marine mammals, turtles and birds that frequent our front- and backyard waters. Let’s tell our story to our grandkids and visitors in a new “Longboat Key Natural History Museum and Library.” It would tell our unique natural history, as well as have books to check out or purchase on these subjects.
A low-admission model could be created to help defray operating costs. Of course, LBK residents would be free.
We also need to remember that we lost an important attraction asset next door in the Mote Aquarium. The Longboat Key Natural History Museum and Library would attract visitors and could encourage them to buy here. Also, it probably could be configured inside the already-designed library building. Please give this concept serious consideration. I would be happy to help make it fun, interesting and generate repeat visits.
Bob Gault
Longboat Key
Class Is in Session
To: Longboat Key residents
Registration is now open for the Town of Longboat Key’s 2027 Citizens Academy!
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Town? Here’s your chance to find out!
Get an inside look at how the Town works for you! Join the Longboat Key team to learn about the services we provide, meet the people behind them, and explore the projects shaping our community.
The Citizens Academy is a great opportunity to connect with Town leadership, gain a better understanding of local government, and discover how our departments work together to serve you.
2027 Citizens Academy details:
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan. 13 – Feb. 24, 2027
Time: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Graduation: Monday, March 1, 2027
Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to sign up soon! Please see the attached full schedule and registration information for additional details.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2027 Citizens Academy!
Savannah Cobb
Executive Assistant
Town of Longboat Key
Oil and Water
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
I hope you are doing well. My name is Solemi Hernandez, and I am the Florida Field Representative with Oceana. I had the opportunity to host an Oceana table at the Florida League of Cities Conference in Hollywood this September, and I am reaching out to share an opportunity to help protect Florida’s coasts, coastal economies and communities.
The federal government is proposing a major expansion of offshore drilling in waters off Florida’s Gulf Coast. We invite you to join fellow Florida state legislators, mayors, commissioners, councilmembers and other elected officials in signing a letter urging the Administration to remove areas off Florida’s Gulf Coast from its proposed offshore drilling plan.
New offshore drilling threatens the clean waters, beaches, tourism economy, fisheries and recreational opportunities that support communities across Florida. Even the perception of increased offshore drilling activity can impact tourism, property values and investment in our coastal economies. A major spill would have devastating and long-lasting consequences for local businesses, families and livelihoods.
Florida’s coast is one of our state’s greatest assets, and local leaders have long played a critical role in protecting it. Your voice would send a strong message that Florida communities oppose expanding offshore drilling off our shores.
Given your leadership roles, I would also be deeply grateful if you would consider sharing this opportunity with your fellow members of the Florida League of Cities Federal Advocacy Team and any other local elected officials who may be interested in signing on.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your time and consideration, and for your commitment to protecting Florida’s coasts, coastal economies and communities.
Solemi Hernandez
Florida Field Representative, Oceana
Naples
Missed Connections
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Gary Coffin
Sorry we’ve missed each other. I wanted to tell you the response I got from Lynn Larson.
Steve Baril
Longboat Key
Forward, March
To: Steve Baril
Steve, you can forward this to anyone you know who might be interested.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
The $1.4 Million Question
To: Longboat Key homeowners
As we approach the November 2026 election, I want to share some information and my perspective regarding Amendment 3 and what it could mean for Longboat Key.
Amendment 3 was placed on the ballot by the Florida Legislature and will require approval from at least 60% of voters to pass. If approved, it would significantly increase the homestead exemption for Florida residents who use their property as their primary residence. The exemption would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflationary adjustments beginning in 2029. While this would reduce the taxable value of qualifying homesteaded properties, I believe it is equally important to understand the potential impact on the local services that property taxes support.
Property taxes are the primary source of funding for many essential local government services, including police and fire rescue, emergency management, roads and stormwater infrastructure, parks, libraries and other community services. Local governments are required to balance their budgets, so when revenues decline, services and expenditures must be reduced or other sources of revenue must be identified.
For Longboat Key, the Town anticipates approximately $1.4 million in reduced annual General Fund revenue once the higher exemption is fully implemented. A loss of this size could affect the Town’s ability to maintain current service levels and fund future priorities.
Our experience with Hurricanes Helene and Milton is an important example of why maintaining adequate local resources matters. The 2024 storms resulted in nearly $30 million in costs to the Town, including beach-related expenses. With continued uncertainty surrounding future federal disaster assistance and FEMA reimbursements, communities may be required to assume a greater share of recovery costs in the future.
There may also be impacts to services provided by Sarasota County. County representatives have advised the Town that significant reductions could affect parks and libraries, including the Sarasota County Longboat Key Branch Library.
The need for essential services does not disappear when property tax revenue decreases. Local governments may have to consider service reductions, changes to property tax rates, non-ad valorem assessments or other revenue sources to address funding shortfalls. For that reason, it is important to look not only at the immediate tax reduction but also at how the costs of providing local services may ultimately be funded.
Florida will also convene its constitutionally established Taxation and Budget Reform Commission in 2027. This commission meets every 20 years specifically to review Florida’s tax and budget structure and can recommend changes for consideration by voters.
As your Commissioner, I encourage you to learn as much as possible about Amendment 3 and consider both its impact on individual property owners and its potential effect on the services our community relies upon.
I will continue to gather and provide factual information regarding the amendment so residents can make their own informed decisions. I am available to speak with any association prior to the Nov. 3 election and happy to answer any questions you may have.
Gary Coffin
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
