Underground utilities ordinances surge ahead

A proposal to bury underground utilities along Gulf of Mexico Drive got a jolt Monday, when the Longboat Key Town Commission on first reading to send two referenda questions to voters on first reading.

The first ordinance would allow the town to seek a bond of no more than $19 million to bury utilities along Gulf of Mexico Drive, if voters approve it. The second ordinance would allow the town to issue a bond of no more than $5 million to help neighborhoods that seek to pay to bury their own utilities if residents petition the town.

Although the latter ordinance would not pay for undergrounding neighborhood utilities, issuance of the bond could help neighborhoods with upfront costs.

If the commission adopts the ordinances on second reading at its Nov. 12 special meeting, both ordinances will appear on the town’s March 10, 2015 general municipal election ballot.

For more information, pick up an Oct. 23 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].