Briefs

+ Property values drop 9.44% on Key
The release of certified tax rolls in Manatee and Sarasota counties July 1 confirmed another 10% average drop in taxable values Key-wide.

Town staff confirmed a town-wide drop of 9.44% when compared to 2009 final tax rolls.

In Sarasota County, Property Appraiser Bill Furst certified a Longboat Key tax roll of $3,481,431,456, compared to the previous year’s tax roll of $3,821,018,737.

In Manatee County, Property Appraiser Charles Hackney certified a town tax roll of $1,371,391,139, compared to the previous year’s tax roll of $1,537,809,992.

It’s the third time in the last 22 years that the town has experienced a decline in assessed values.

Based on the town’s current millage rate of 1.5 mills, the tax-roll loss would result in a budget revenue reduction of approximately $700,000.

+ All Angels requests placement on sign
All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church Rev. David Danner sent a letter to the Town Commission dated July 1 that requested his church be afforded one of the eight empty spaces now located on the new wayfinding sign installed at Bay Isles Road and Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Wrote Danner: “Each year our church welcomes hundreds of visitors, and the absence of a clearly marked directional sign will certainly be detrimental.

“Those of you with long institutional memories will recall that originally All Angels was permitted its own individual sign, which is generally used by Episcopal churches throughout the United States. When the previous wayfinding signs were erected, we agreed to remove our individual sign in exchange for a place on the new signboard. Now we find ourselves removed entirely! This certainly feels like a breach of trust. There are only five houses of worship on the island, three of which have property abutting Gulf of Mexico Drive, and thus permitted highly visible signage. Only Temple Beth Israel and All Angels will be excluded from having a sign on the main thoroughfare.”

+ Fire union elects new vice president
Longboat Key firefighter/paramedic Brandon Desch has been elected as the new union district vice president for the Longboat Key International Association of Firefighters Union.

Desch replaces firefighter/paramedic Keith Tanner as vice president.

+ Meetings & Agendas

• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, July 12.

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