Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/98836
Sarasota News Leader December 14, 2012 Page 29 Robinson also pointed to a statement by Steve Botelho, the county���s chief financial planning officer. While the county could afford to sell bonds to pay for both the Siesta Beach project and new infrastructure and radios for the county���s emergency services responders, Botelho said the combination would create a ���lean situation��� until probably Fiscal Year 2017 or 2018, meaning the board would not have sufficient funds to cover any other major expenses that might arise. Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mark Smith discusses the Siesta Beach improvements during the Dec. 6 Siesta Key Association meeting. Photo by Rachel Hackney Staff and commissioner comments suggested the county would net more than $1 million in savings by taking that step. ���This is a very worthy project,��� Robinson said of the beach improvements. Her vote, she added, ���is not a reflection on the project itself. ��� I really have an issue with tying up our future commissioners��� hands.��� WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Although commissioners since early November had voiced dismay and criticized staff over the delay in completing the design of the beach park improvements, none of them raised questions during their Dec. 11 regular meeting about why the project had been delayed. The commissioners also approved the use of bond funds to pay for the project to be undertaken at one time, instead of doing it piece- Representatives of the consulting firm on the meal as funds were made available through project ��� Kimley-Horn and Associates ��� Fiscal Year 2024. along with Carolyn Brown, general manager of the county���s Parks and Recreation DepartChairwoman Christine Robinson was the only ment; Botelho; and Hank Schneider, operaboard member to vote ���No��� on the bond mo- tions manager of the Mobility/Facilities Oftion. fice, addressed the board following the public comments portion of the meeting. Smith and ���We have dire needs for our roads in our com- Siesta Key Association President Catherine munity,��� she said, referencing information Luckner were among the four members of the provided during the meeting by county Chief public who took the opportunity to speak to Engineer James K. Harriott Jr.: Approximately the board at the outset of the afternoon ses$14 million had been lost in revenue for pav- sion of the meeting. ing projects. ���This is a quality of life issue for Brown offered a quick overview of the project, our community,��� she said, noting the commis- followed by Michael L. Sturm of Kimley-Horn, sioners receive complaints every day about who reviewed the basic proposed improvethe county���s dilapidated road surfaces. ments.