Judge validates $16 million beach bond

The town of Longboat Key can proceed with its $16 million beach project, following a ruling by Sarasota 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Lee Haworth to validate the town’s beach-bond referendum.

Nearly 80% of the town’s voters approved the project in March, however, the town was unable to access funds because of an advertising error made by the Town Clerk’s office.

Sarasota attorney Andy Cohen, of Hankin, Persson, Davis, McClenathen & Darnell, who handled the case, said that the judge validated the bond after a 30-minute hearing that included testimony from Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and the Town Clerk’s office. No members of the public attended the hearing to object to validation of the beach bond.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].