Longboat underground utilities referendum passes

As of Tuesday night, 2,031 voters, or 59.98% cast ballots in favor of the referendum, while 1,652 voters, or 40.02% opposed it.

The Town Clerk's office reported that some absentee ballots were still being canvassed, however, the supervisor of elections offices "opined there would not be a large enough volume to overcome the results."

The referendum allows the town to issue bonds not to exceed $23.85 million for the project, which will bury all utilities islandwide.

The vote follows a Nov. 3 referendum in which voters approved a plan to bury utilities on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

For the full story, pick up the March 17 edition of the Longboat Observer.