Commissioners deny St. Denis' retirement request

The Longboat Key Town Commission denied a request by former town manager Bruce St. Denis Monday night to change his status from “resigned” to “retired” for health insurance purposes so he could gain access to the town’s insurance plan.

St. Denis made the request, according to town manager Dave Bullock, because his 18 months of continued insurance that he’s paid for at a higher rate to stay on the town’s plan is about to expire.

Changing his insurance status through his settlement agreement would allow St. Denis and his family continued access to the town’s health plan with other current and retired employees.

Commissioner Lynn Larson was furious with the request, noting that St. Denis received a settlement package of $268,364.81.

“This man left with more money than anyone has ever left this town with,” Larson said. “He can use some of the hundreds of thousands of dollars we gave him to purchase an insurance policy.”

The commission voted 5-2 not to allow staff to continue investigating the possibility of changing St. Denis’ insurance status.

The commission also whittled a list of town attorney candidates down to two: Maggie D. Mooney-Portale of Sarasota-based Hankin, Persson, McClenathen, Cohen & Darnell; and Robert K. Robinson of Sarasota-based Nelson Hesse. Interviews with both candidates and the commission will be set up next.

Also at its regular meeting, commissioners:
Approved:
• A request by the town manager to change the Goals & Objectives Workshop date from April 15 to May 20.

Forwarded to its April 15 special meeting on second reading:
• An ordinance that amends the makeup of the Firefighters’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.

Forwarded to its May 6 regular meeting on second reading:
• An ordinance that adopts a revised 10-year water supply plan.
• An ordinance that provides for a 3% wage increase for non-union represented general and police department employees.

Adopted
• An ordinance that would make parking changes in Longbeach Village permanent.
• An ordinance that provides for a 3% wage increase for other non-union represented employees.

Passed:
• A resolution that would amend the Comprehensive Plan and allow T-6 (six tourism units per acre) properties to apply for an additional story as part of a site plan process.
• A resolution that will continue the work of the finance committee.

For more information on Monday night’s meeting, pick up a copy of Thursday’s April 4 Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]