Longboat Key News and Sarasota City News encourages Letters to the Editor on timely issues. Please email to: letters@lbknews.com or mail to PO Box 8001, Longboat Key, FL 34228. We also print letters sent to Town Hall that address Longboat Key issues. We reserve the right to edit.
Upcoming storm
To: Longboat Key Commission
Town staff is closely monitoring Disturbance 15 and coordinating with Sarasota County Emergency Management.
The well-defined tropical wave currently approaching eastern Cuba will continue moving west-northwestward near or across Cuba today, and then the Straits of Florida tonight or Saturday. Conditions are expected to become favorable for additional development after that time, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend over the Straits of Florida or eastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida peninsula. Tropical storm watches or warnings could be required for portions of the forecast area later today. While uncertainty continues in the systems potential development and eventual track, heavy rainfall with localized flooding remains the primary threat at this point for the area. However, if quick development occurs in the eastern Gulf other local impacts would include; a wind threat, coastal flooding, marine hazards and possibly isolated tornadoes.
Any development will likely occur over the Straits of Florida or the eastern Gulf of Mexico this weekend. Heavy rainfall with localized flooding remains the primary threat. However, if quick development occurs in the eastern Gulf, other impacts would include; a wind threat, coastal flooding, marine hazards and possible tornadoes.
While tropical storm force winds and surges potentially as high as 4 to 6 feet could occur over western Florida, the main threat will be flooding rains due to the expected slow motion. Some areas, especially within the moderate impact area, could receive at least 10 to 15 inches of rain from this system.
Main Impacts
Rain: Expect travel delays as well as cases of urban and small stream flooding. Widespread major street flooding, along with some flood damage could occur in the moderate impact area.
Wind: Power outages could occur.
Surge: Moderate to potentially major coastal flooding is possible
We expect to issue an Alert Longboat Key later this morning to keep residents informed of this incident.
Paul B. Dezzi
Fire Chief
Town of Longboat Key
Town budget
To: Longboat Key Commission
I hope you are all enjoying your summer. As you know, the Town Charter requires that the Town Manager submits the Recommended Budget and accompanying message by August 1st each year for the ensuing fiscal year, October 1, 2024 -September 30, 2025. As Tip is out of the country, he gave me the honor of presenting this to you.
The attached memo provides a summary of our prior meeting on the budget, changes we have made since June and changes we expect to make by the September public hearing.
We are very excited to introduce our first Digital Budget Book powered by ClearGov. Sandi and I have been diligently getting this ready in time for its release this year. Finance has been working over the past year to implement a digital solution and innovative tool for our citizens that provides a comprehensive, transparent and easy-to-understand overview of the Town’s finances. It offers a user-friendly interface that breaks down the data into sections with charts and graphs. Citizens should be able to explore revenues, expenditure patterns and gain a better understanding of the different funds and fund types.
From the main menu, you can easily navigate to the different sections of the budget. Some web pages have additional links that you can click on and see additional detail behind the charts. If you select the Print button, you can select the sections you specifically want and have it email you a custom PDF file. It will tell you it could take up to three hours to complete this task, but it rarely takes that long.
Please explore this format and let us know how you like it. We welcome your feedback, questions and suggestions. This document is still a work in progress and we will continue to improve it over time. Have a great weekend and let me know if you have any questions.
Susan Smith
Finance Director
Town of Longboat Key
Green space
To: Editor
Thanks Steve for the front page update on the proposed Sarasota County Library project on Longboat Key. As you know, I am virtually the “Lone Ranger”, along with my wife and good friend Matt Walsh, in publicly speaking out on this waste of $11 million in taxpayer money on a new Library in addition to $1 million a year in operating costs.
Also, waste of an additional $3.5 million of private philanthropic money for a meeting room and enhanced terrace to be included in the project.
Longboat Key is a very small, affluent Town and even smaller this time of year. There is no
common sense argument for this Library other than creating a monument to our County and Town officials.
For example, these millions could be more meaningfully spent on Sarasota County Foster Care kids in need, on the mainland, for tutorial education help or for others less fortunate than us. In Manatee County as well in terms of the philanthropic millions.
Not only is there no substantive justification for this multimillion Library other than “programming promises” in the County Library leader’s sales pitch, they are putting it in the wrong place that will limit Community Entertainment and Holiday Events on the Town Green, which is the real “Crown Jewel” of LBK. It already exists! Four plus acres of open green space to provide proven popular events residents have prioritized in the Town’s own LBK Citizen’s Surveys.
All of this is well intentioned but Longboat and the County needs to get real about our taxes and use priorities. You can bet your bottom tax dollar that the existing Library’s large parcel is being “saved” for expansion of Town Hall offices for additional staff as the Town Manager mentioned in your recent article.
You made real news here Steve, as this is the first time in all the Library location arguments put forth to use the e