News Briefs

+ City beats Key with August tourist tax revenue
After leading the way in Sarasota County tourist tax revenue during June and July, Siesta Key was in second place, behind the city of Sarasota, for August, according to figures released by the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office.

Nonetheless, the Key continues to top the list for collections so far during the 2010-11 fiscal year. The year’s final figures, for September, are expected by mid-November.

During August, Key businesses collected $189,086.81, compared to $250,224.88 for the city of Sarasota. Those are preliminary numbers, however. According to the Tax Collector’s Office, reporting circumstances can result in businesses modifying their final reports for a particular month.

Altogether, the tourist tax revenue collected in August was $635,536.94. The total so far for the year is $10,849,707.24.

Although the tourist tax rose to 4.5% in May 2010 and to 5% in May this year, the Tax Collector’s Office provides comparisons at the 4% mark for three fiscal years. Those numbers show the county tourist tax revenue for August at the 4% mark was higher this year, at $508,429.55, than the totals for the same month in 2009 and 2010. In August 2009, the figure was $425,287.02; in August 2010, it was $386,856.40.

+ Seminar to focus on rules enforcement
The West Florida chapter of Community Associations Institute will sponsor a free program Nov. 10, at the Pine Shores Presbyterian Church Community Center, 6120 Crestwood Ave., Sarasota, to discuss rule enforcement in associations.

The seminar, designed for condominium, co-op and homeowner association members, will address what homeowners and board members can do to ensure violations are handled in an appropriate manner with the use of reasonable strategies. The panel will include Dan Lobeck, an attorney with Lobeck & Hanson; Brian Hartsell, a community association manager for Turtle Rock Community Association; and Tiffany Cox, a community association manager with Argus Property Management.

During this event, businesses that specialize in serving the community association industry also will be available for a “mini trade show” to display their products and services and answer questions.

The check-in process will begin at 8 a.m.; the program will conclude at 10:30 a.m.

Anyone planning to participate must pre-register. For more information and to pre-register, visit www.caiwestflorida.org or call 927-1910.

+ Meeting to address anchorage options
A public meeting to discuss anchoring options outside the Bayfront Mooring Field will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the City Commission Chambers, Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

The meeting will focus on where boats will be allowed to anchor legally once the Bayfront Mooring Field, near Marina Jack, is operational in 2012, according to the city of Sarasota.

Construction of the Bayfront Mooring Field is slated to begin in December, with the field expected to be operational by spring 2012.

Meetings & agendas
• Siesta Key Association — 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Room F, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.
• Sustainable Sarasota Community Partnership — 2 p.m. Nov. 7, County Administration Building, Second Floor A/B Conference Room, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• County Commission — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8, R.L. Anderson Center, First Floor, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 9, Administration Center, Commission Chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd.