Validation hearing set for Gulf of Mexico Drive bonds

A hearing has been set to validate the issuance of bonds for a $25.25 million Gulf of Mexico Drive undergrounding project.

Town Attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale informed the Longboat Key Town Commission in a Jan. 26 email that the validation hearing will take place 10 a.m. March 24 in Courtroom 7C at the Judge Lynn Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

Sarasota County Circuit Court Judge Rochelle Curley will preside over the hearing.

The validation complaint hearing, which allows for public comment, is being sought by the town of Longboat Key to validate the issuance of bonds for the project in case of legal challenges.

Commissioner Pat Zunz urged Mooney-Portale and town staff in a Jan. 27 email to post the information regarding the hearing on the town’s website so residents that want to attend and make public comments can be further informed.

“Please confirm that the validation complaint, a link to Florida Statute 75, and the court date and time and place will be on the town website, or a link to all of this information will be posted on the town web site,” wrote Zunz in the email. “It would be a disservice to the public to make them rely (solely) on newspaper notices.”

Commissioners are still discussing the funding mechanism for a neighborhood and side street undergrounding project that voters will head to the polls March 15 to approve or deny the issuance of 23.85 million in bonds for that project.

The commission will continue its discussion on that project at its 7 p.m. regular meeting at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].