Longboat Key Commission establishes election date tonight

The Longboat Key Town Commission on first reading tonight at Town Hall is making plans to change its election date.

The town’s charter sets the date for the town’s general election as the third Tuesday in March, which puts the date for an election that includes three Longboat Key Town Commission races for March 19, 2013.

But Town Clerk Trish Granger told commissioners on Dec. 10 at their regular workshop that a strong case could be made to bump the March election a week earlier to March 12, 2013.

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent supports moving the date because her office is already handling three elections on March 12.

By sharing an election day with Sarasota, the town will also save advertising fees for the election canvassing board and could share early voting costs.

While the commission is also scheduled to discuss ratifying a new three-year contract with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue union tonight, it’s not expected the contract will be ratified yet because attorneys are still reviewing it.

Also at its regular meeting tonight at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, the commission will:

Consider forwarding to second reading and public hearing:
• An ordinance that provides for a $50,000 homestead exemption for qualifying seniors.

• An ordinance providing for an additional homestead exemption of $250,000 for qualifying low-income seniors.

• An ordinance that allows for a $25,000 budget transfer for the street lighting modifications along Gulf of Mexico Drive needed during this past turtle-nesting season.

Consider adopting:
• A revised 2013 Town Commission meeting schedule.

Consider passing:
• A resolution that allows for a $23,000 budget transfer to pay for a consultant to help make future changes to the town code.

• A resolution that provides a list of 2011-12 recommended budget transfers.

• A proposed resolution that allows for a budget transfer of $67,470 to cover Longboat Key Public Tennis Center expenditures.

• A proposed resolution that expresses Longboat Key Town Commission support for police and firefighter pension reform.

• A resolution that allows for a $100,000 budget transfer from the Town Commission contingency fund to pay for a planning consultant that will help make changes to the town’s codes and Comprehensive Plan.

For more information on tonight’s meeting, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Jan. 10 Longboat Observer and check www.yourobserver.com for updates.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].