Town receives $1.5 million for beach project

The town of Longboat Key’s Longboat Pass dredging project made the cut for the Legislature’s final list of recommended state funding.

If Governor Rick Scott signs off on the line item by July 1, as expected, the town will receive $1.5 million for an estimated $3.5 million dredging project that will bring 239,000 cubic yards of sand to the north end of the Key later this summer.

Town Attorney Maggie Mooney-Portale informed the Longboat Key Town Commission of the news in an email Tuesday, urging the commission to send a letter to Scott’s office in support of the funding.

Commissioners were pleased with the news. Commissoner Pat Zunz, though, expressed concern in an email Wednesday that the town didn’t receive as much for its beach project as nearby communities. Bradenton Beach, for instance, received $2.5 million for a beach project.

Town Manager Dave Bullock said Anna Maria and other municipalities received more funding because state funding is given based on certain criteria, which includes the number of beach accesses and parking spaces available for beach patrons.

Bullock said the town can still apply for funding for a New Pass dredging beach project during next year’s Legislature session.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].