News Briefs

+ Commission OKs iPad purchase for its members
The Longboat Key Town Commission gave Town Manager Bruce St. Denis permission to purchase iPads for commissioners, which will cost taxpayers $4,200.

The commissioners made the decision at their Thursday, May 26 regular workshop.

Since October, Management Information Systems Director Kathi Pletzke has been researching the possibility of using iPads for more than one use in Longboat Key government.

The iPad, the first tablet computer developed by Apple Inc. which was first released in 2010, can be used by commissioners to review town agendas, Pletzke said. iPads can also be used in at least three town departments.

Although St. Denis said the iPads wouldn’t save much on paper costs, he said there is a reason for the purchase.

“It’s a one-time expense with multi-years’ worth of benefits,” St. Denis said. “I think we owe it to you seven volunteers to give you something that will make your job more efficient.”

+ Purchasing audit comes back clean
Bradenton-based Shinn & Co. has completed an independent audit of the town of Longboat Key’s purchasing policies and procedures. The audit determined there are no issues with the town’s purchasing procedures.

Neil Unruh, a partner at Shinn & Co., told the Longboat Key Town Commission at its Thursday, May 26 regular workshop that there are no issues with the town’s policies.

+ Task force drafts its mission statement
Former Longboat Key Mayor George Spoll and Longboat Key resident Tom Freiwald, chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force, announced the group’s mission statement.               

The mission statement reads: “The Longboat Key Revitalization Task Force shall act as a catalyst to sustain and enhance Longboat Key as the premier residential and visitor destination nationally and internationally.”

+ Investment committee will review town reports
Vice Mayor David Brenner announced at the Thursday, May 26 regular workshop that the town would create a separate finance subcommittee to review quarterly financial town reports and other finance issues.
The subcommittee will officially be appointed at the commission’s 7 p.m. Monday, June 6 regular meeting. A list of responsibilities for the subcommittee will be created at a future workshop.

Meetings & agendas
â–º Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, June 6.
â–º Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting — 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9.
â–º Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 1 p.m. Thursday, June 16.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.