Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/116876
SAVINGS AND HIGHER COSTS A graphic shows plans for a vegetation buffer along Siesta Key���s Beach Road to shield stormwater project work from the public. Image courtesy Sarasota County THE COUNTY COMMISSION AGREES TO ALLOW MATERIAL EXCAVATED FOR A NEW SIESTA KEY STORMWATER RETENTION POND TO BE STOCKPILED FOR USE IN THE BEACH PARK PROJECT By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor The Sarasota County Commission vote was Southwest Florida Water Management District unanimous on March 19 to approve the stock- (SWFWMD) to extend the expiration date of piling of excavated material from the Siesta a grant for the project until March 31, 2014, Key stormwater project for use in the planned with the hope the district might be willing to public beach park improvements. However, increase the amount of funding it already has the vote came after one commissioner voiced agreed to provide, to help make up the differire over an engineer���s error that led to bids ence between the $1.5 million estimate and about three times the recommended bid. higher than the orig���At the time that SWFinal estimate for the I still have a problem with the fact WMD put the grant out stormwater work. that we���re eating $3 million. there [Feb. 12, 2008],��� The board also voted Commissioner Nora Joe Barbetta Commissioner unanimously to amend Patterson said, the Sarasota County a contract with the amount ���was about