News Briefs

+ County Commission ends search for homeless shelter
County commissioners voted Tuesday not to continue looking for a location for a come-as-you-are homeless shelter.

The city of Sarasota voted July 21 that city staff was not going to continue to look for a shelter site within city limits.

Commissioner Christine Robinson moved to suspend the county’s search for a shelter location until the city chooses to participate again and focus on other initiatives Dr. Robert Marbut outlined. The motion passed unanimously.

+ City seeks applicants for commission seats
The Sarasota City Commission has two seats it needs to fill, being vacated by Commissioners Shannon Snyder and Paul Caragiulo, who both ran for the open District 2 County Commission seat. The remaining commissioners will appoint replacements to serve the final months of the departing commissioners’ terms, which end in May 2015.

Those hoping to fill the vacant seats may register their interest with the city next week. The city will accept applications beginning noon Tuesday, Sept. 2, and the deadline is noon Friday, Sept. 12 to submit the requisite paperwork.

All forms can be found on the city’s website or at the City Auditor and Clerk’s office.

+ Sanborn Studios files counter lawsuit against county
Sanborn Studios is suing Sarasota County for acting in bad faith. The county filed a suit against Sanborn July 28 for failing to provide 117 full-time jobs to Sarasota employees in exchange for monetary incentives for relocating to the county.

In response, the company is suing the county for items including slander of title and breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, among others.

Sanborn claimed county staff had undermined the company’s reputation and caused the company to lose business. Sanborn also said that the county suit goes against the two audit reports that the county made in 2011 and 2012.

+ City, county closures scheduled for Labor Day
City and county government offices will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.
County libraries and recreation centers will also close for the day, and Sarasota County Area Transit will not be running.
Trash service in both the city and county will not be affected.

+ Correction
Joshua Sankes, co-owner of Hand & Stone Massage, also owns his own financial-planning practice with Raymond James and Associates.

Meetings & agendas
Siesta Key Village Association — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2. at Daiquiri Deck and Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key.

Sarasota County School Board meeting — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, Landings Administrative Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.

Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.