In Brief

+ Younger identifies budget changes

Commissioner Phillip Younger told the Town Commission at its Thursday, June 17 regular workshop that he has helped identify approximately $150,000 in reductions with which Finance Director Tom Kelley agrees.

The Town Commission also thanked Younger for suggesting the finance department use a Microsoft Excel computer program in place of a bulky, outdated Green Bar calculation report for fiscal-year planning that used more paper.

Commissioner Hal Lenobel thanked Younger for his work.

“I have been confused by the green bar for 12 years.,” Younger said. “This might help us with the budget quite a bit.”

The commission gave direction to eliminate the green bar budget reports altogether.

+ Welcome signs to receive changes
In an e-mail Vice Mayor Jim Brown sent to Town Manager Bruce St. Denis June 15, the retired architect explained that the general contractor hired to build the town’s welcome signs did several things incorrectly.
Brown noted issues with the columns, the stone used and the height of the signs.

The e-mail prompted the Town Commission to reinstitute a welcome-sign subcommittee at its June 17 regular workshop, in an effort to work with Brown and Mayor George Spoll to make sure the signs are corrected.

Public Works Director Juan Florensa is coordinating a meeting with the contractor and the Florida Department of Transportaion to make sure the signs are corrected.

+ Corrections
Commissioner Phillip Younger, in response to his reaction about the commission’s 4-3 vote to approve on first reading an amended Islandside project ordinance June 14 said, “I interpreted a vote at that point as giving them something versus giving them nothing.”

Younger was incorrectly quoted in the Thursday, June 17 Longboat Observer as saying, “I interpreted a vote at that point as giving them (the club) nothing.”

Younger was also incorrectly quoted in the June 10 issue in a profile about him. His quote should have read, “I was the only person who stood before the commission and presented a proposal that would benefit all and harm none. I believe in the arts of negotiation and compromise.”

NUMBERS IN THE NEWS
8 — The number of nameplates that business owners along Bay Isles Road would have available to them unless the commission places generic nameplates on the wayfinding sign. Read the story.