Longboaters approve burying wires

Say goodbye to power lines and poles on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

The town’s electorate officially buried the debate over whether to approve a referendum that asked if the town can issue bonds not to exceed $25.25 million to bury the road’s utilities.

The referendum was approved Tuesday with 1,397 voters voting in favor of the referendum and 835 voting against it. Totals and percentages with early, absentee and poll numbers haven't been disclosed yet. A simple majority of 50% plus one of the returned ballots was needed for the referendum to pass.  The referendum was needed because a town charter amendment requires the town to obtain voter approval via a public referendum to issue bonds of more than $800,000.

The approval vote means that 98% of the island’s property owners will pay less than $3,000 over 30 years as part of their tax bill. The average annual extra cost to taxpayers is between $153 and $182.

"It's very good news and it's a bold move for Longboat Key," said Mayor Jack Duncan. "It's a huge step forward for enhancing the aesthetics of the island."

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].