News Briefs

+ Town schedules first budget workshop
The Longboat Key Town Commission will hold a special workshop meeting to discuss the 2012-13 fiscal year budget 1 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. Town staff is preparing for a 3% drop in ad valorem tax revenue combined with a 10% hike in health-insurance costs and 12.7% in required pension contributions. Sarasota and Manatee County property appraisers typically distribute property-tax estimates June 1.

+ City staff investigates St. Armands benches
City staff presented the St. Armands Landowner’s Merchants and Residents (LMAR) with data Thursday, April 26 showing the location of the Circle’s benches in an effort to pinpoint which of the benches are in need of repair and/or replacement. St. Armands Business Improvement District (BID) Board of Directors Chairman Marty Rappaport said many of the benches are in terrible shape and that city staff will look into what funds can be used to repair or possibly replace the damaged benches. There are a total of 65 benches within or just outside the Circle, which includes 35 two-seat benches, 26 three-seat benches and four regular benches.

Meetings & Agendas
• Longboat Key Town Commission meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, May 7
• Code Enforcement Board — 10 a.m. Monday, May 14
• Longboat Key Town Commission regular workshop — 2 p.m. Thursday, May 24