Sarasota County parks $2 million at Bayfront

Town Manager Dave Bullock came to the Sarasota County Commission June 3 armed with five town commissioners, a planning board member and a handful of PowerPoint slides. He planned to show how much money Longboaters give the county each year — without any county park service request in return.

But he never had to step to the podium to make his request for $2 million for Bayfront Park.

Within 15 minutes, the County Commission unanimously agreed to support Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Services Department Carolyn Brown’s recommendations to use $1.3 million from its Neighborhood Parkland Program, $50,000 from tourism tax dollars, and $650,000 from surtax funds, after funds are reallocated to Bayfront Park from a Venice park.

County commissioners made the decision while Bullock and town officials watched from the front row of the County Commission chambers. 

The County Commission also agreed with Brown’s recommendation that the town and county enter into an interlocal agreement that states the town is responsible for the park’s maintenance and upkeep. 

“The county doesn’t provide park maintenance for Longboat Key like it does in the city of Sarasota and Venice,” Brown said. 

The agreement will state the county agrees to pay the lesser of $2 million or 67% of the total cost of the project. 

As part of the agreement, the town says the county has a right to be a part of the construction review team that oversees a project that could begin in early 2016. 

Sarasota County purchased a 3.88-acre parcel adjacent to the park in 2007.

“I’m certainly supportive of this,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson, whose only worry was the county as a whole is receiving less impact fees daily for such uses when areas of south county are in need of more ball fields. “It’s a fantastic project and it would be great to see it completed. I’m glad the (Longboat Key) commission is here and sees the struggles we are having with funding. I hope you can understand the struggles with the switching of funding to try and make this happen.”

The latest park rendering shows modifications that include shifting a playground to an area shaded with trees, eliminating some nature trails and leaving three potential spots for a future recreation center. New additions include pickleball and shuffleboard courts, a kayak launch/storage area and other offerings. 

“This is a great project,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Paul Caragiulo.

In March, a $3.9 million budget for park improvements was presented to the Longboat Key Commission. Bullock reduced the price to $3.11 million by eliminating minor parts of the project.

Longboat Key’s portion of the project is $1,027,279.

“We are thrilled to get moving with this park,” said Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan. “I want to thank Sarasota County staff and the commission for working with us to create a park we all are going to be proud of.” 

Sarasota County Vice Chairman Alan Maio pointed out that Bullock, the former deputy administrator for the county, didn’t have to break a sweat for the money. 

“I was hoping I could hammer Mr. Bullock with a series of questions,” Maio said. “I’m disappointed.”

Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines suggested Maio still had a chance to duke it out with Bullock once Bayfront Park is complete. 

“Challenge him to a game of pickleball,” Hines said.