News Briefs

+ Siesta Key trolley decision delayed
Sarasota County staff delayed a decision the County Commission was expected to make Dec. 11, on the purchase of 17 buses.

Sarasota County Transit Manager Glama Carter will present the $6.5 million plan, which includes wrapping five of the buses to look like trolleys for use on county islands, during a SCAT workshop in January.

Two of the trolleys, which carry an $8,000 price tag for the aesthetic upgrade, will service Siesta Key if approved by the County Commission.

+ County seeks damages for Village light pole
The woman who drove drunkenly into a light pole in Siesta Key Village may be forced to reimburse Sarasota County for the cost of its replacement.

Championship Landscape Maintenance Professionals, the firm that oversees upkeep in the Village, removed the damaged pole after the September accident, which was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Sarasota County Traffic Engineering and Operations staff member Ryan Montague, who oversees special taxing districts, said the county’s claims and adjustment department is reviewing the case to calculate damages owed to the county by the woman.

+ Three Siesta bars violate noise ordinance
Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to noise complaints in Siesta Key Village Dec. 8, and issued warnings to Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, Siesta Key Oyster Bar and Gilligan’s Island Bar and Grill.

All of the restaurants were at least 7 decibels above the threshold regulated by the county ordinance, with Daiquiri Deck in the greatest violation at 17.9 decibels greater than the level the ordinance sets.

+ County closes offices for the holidays
Sarasota County offices will be closed for Christmas Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, and reopen Wednesday, Dec. 26.

That includes libraries, the History Center, recreation centers, Arlington Pool, Payne Park and Knights Trail Park.

Sarasota County Area Transit buses will operate with limited service on Route 99 Dec. 24, and will not runny routes Christmas Day.

The county will suspend yard waste, recyclable, and garbage collection to residents in unincorporated Sarasota County Dec. 25, and make pick-ups the next day of the week.

Meetings & Agendas
• Development Review Committee meeting — 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, BOB Building, Conference Room 2, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota
• Planning Commission Public Hearing — 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, Administration Building, Commission Chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
• Siesta Key Village Association meeting — 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, Administration Building, Commission Chambers, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota