IDA board approves Town Hall increases

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Lakewood Ranch residents and groups seeking to use meeting rooms at Town Hall or other Lakewood Ranch amenities will see an increase in usage fees next time they try to reserve a space.

At a meeting Oct. 15, the Inter-District Authority Board adopted a new fee structure for use of Town Hall, as well as a new usage policy for the facility.

Fee increases for usage of salons in Town Hall have been raised between $55 and $205. For example, a full day of use for one salon for a private social event for a resident has been raised from $175 to $255, while a half-day for non-profits or Lakewood Ranch businesses has been raised from $150 to $205.

The new structure sets deposits of $200 for one salon, $400 for two salons or $600 for three salons, plus a $35 set up and breakdown fee per salon.

“We did this in order to bring our rates in line with the market and to streamline the way we go about charging,” Town Hall Community Manager Bob Fernandez said. “We’re trying to have the fees actually cover the costs.”

Changes to rules and regulations adopted by the board include language stating residents cannot arrive more than 10 minutes before the start of their scheduled time slot when using Town Hall and that clubs and groups meeting Town Hall guidelines must have a Lakewood Ranch resident as a chairperson.

The modified rules also state organizers should notify Town Hall of cancelled meetings one week prior to the event, if possible. Failure to do so may result in a loss of privileges.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

in other business:
• District 1:  Supervisor Jean Stewart reported the district will continue with the purchase of land from Schroeder-Manatee Ranch for a new maintenance facility for $25,000 per acre.

• District 2: Lakewood Ranch Operations Director Ryan Heise reported improvements to the front entrance and gatehouse will be finished by Thanksgiving.

• District 4: Supervisors awarded a roughly $30,000 contract with a $10,000 contingency to Sarasota Land Services for the repair of three sections of trails and lakes near Greenbrook Adventure Park that were washed out during the recent flood.

• District 5: Supervisors approved making repairs to a lake bank near Hidden River Trail and agreed to use Sarasota Land Services at a cost of $39,307.