Commission to discuss waterway funds

Overshadowed by the proposed feral hog hunt on today’s Sarasota County Commission agenda, the West Coast Inland Navigation District will ask commissioners for either $377,648 and $483,419 of reserve funding to supplement the money already earmarked in the 2013 fiscal year budget.

The Waterway Development Program, which is the funding source for waterway projects submitted by Sarasota County, currently has $1.36 million available for 22 applications that total $1.89 million. County Coastal Resources Manager Laird Wreford will today present two options aimed at covering the shortfall to commissioners.

Both scenarios involve reducing the amount of money disbursed for five law enforcement funding requests and dipping into reserve tax dollars held in the County Navigation Improvement Fund. But, one option would throw out $72,248 requested by Mote Marine Laboratory.

For an in depth look at the two budget options and commission recommendations pick up a copy of the July 12, issue of the Pelican Press.