All entries for January 2016

Sarasota voters will vote on when to vote

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Tuesday Jan 19, 2016 7:47 pm

Sarasota city voters will soon decide whether city elections should be held in November instead in the spring. 

Sarasota City Commissioners voted 3-2 to place a referendum on the ballot this November which would reschedule future elections for Sarasota City Commission to be held in even-numbered years, concurrent with presidential or gubernatorial elections. Mayor Willie Shaw and Commissioner Susan Chapman voted against the action.

Supporters of the action say moving the election will increase turnout, while opponents fear city issues will be minimized as voters focus more attention of federal, state and county elections happening at the same time.

BREAKING: Two dead following weather in Manatee. Law Enforcement updates on severe weather overnight in Southwest Florida

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Sunday Jan 17, 2016 8:28 am

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office has reported that two people died from tornado damage in Manatee County overnight, news confirmed by Florida Cabinet member Jeff Atwater.

The National Weather Service has lifted severe weather warnings and tornado warnings throughout the region. Updates from officials with law enforcement, government and utility providers will be posted here periodically through the day. Tornado warnings still stand in parts of Southeast Florida but the severe weather appears to have moved past this region, according to NWS.

The Sarasota Police Department reports minor flooding, downed power lines, downed trees and signs were reported throughout the city. Large trees were down at 3200 block and 3900 block of Central Ave. Public works is on scene at 32nd. A stop sign is down at 1st Street and Lemon (officer standing by until repaired). 

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is advising individuals to stay away from downed and sparking power lines. The agency has 50 to 100 emergency responders in the field. Earlier today, residents were advised to "stay home and stay safe," but officials now say they have largely cleared roads, moving debris to roadsides, and are simply asking citizens use caution while traveling and clearing their own properties of debris.

Florida Power & Light estimated early this morning that some 17,000 people are without power, and officials are working to restore service as quickly as possible. Access remains restricted to an area around Stickney Point Road with downed power lines, though service has been largerly restored. FPL estimates all customers will have power restored by 6pm.

Sarasota County has set up an emergency contact number at 861-5000. Sarasota County will open a multi-agency resource center on Monday to assist residents whose properties have been impacted by Sunday's storms. Citizens can come to Edson Keith Mansion at Phillippi Estate Park, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, between 11am and 2pm Monday to meet with county building officials, utilities staff and representatives of the American Red Cross, FPL and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Citizens should bring proof of residency. Right now, county officials say they have verified significant damage to 45 structures, with an estimated dollar damage amount greater than $3 million. Additionally, residents who experienced property damage are advised to contact their insurance agents regarding claims.

Atwater, Florida chief financial officer, said any citizens with questions about insurance claims can call a state hotline at 877-693-5236 to explain coverage and help file a claim.

Manatee Approves Plan to Phase School Impact Fees Back Into Effect

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Thursday Jan 7, 2016 11:21 am

Manatee County Commission voted to phase school impact fees back into effect for the first time since 2009, but members criticized a plan by the School Board to connect the rate to an upcoming referendum on a sales tax next year.

Manatee commissioners on Tuesday morning voted 5-2 in favor of restoring the fee, but charging it at a 50-percent rate and phasing it in over two years. At full strength, the fee for a new single-family home would be $6,475.

County Commissioner Betsy Benac, who supported the action, stressed it was the School Board that supported that level of fee, and that the county commission needed to support that board’s stance. “We have no super-authority on this,” she said. “We are not the ones charged with setting the school fee,” she said. “We are charged with collecting it and sending the money to the School Board.” 

But County Commissioner Charles Smith, a dissenting vote, disagreed mostly with a School Board plan to tie a reduction of fees to a renewal vote regarding a schools sales tax expected in 2017. The plan is to attach to that referendum a commitment to cut the school impact in half should the sales tax pass. “I really want to School Board to get as much money as possible,” he said. “But this is troubling to me.”

Consortium of Colleges on the Creative Coast to connect education at six Sarasota-area campuses

Posted by Jacob Ogles on Tuesday Jan 5, 2016 10:59 am

A joint effort among Southwest Florida’s most prominent institutions of higher education will allow Sarasota students to earn credit on six different campuses and count them toward a single degree... More »

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