News Briefs

+ Wheels are in motion for Siesta trolleys
The Sarasota County Transit Authority will submit a grant application to the Federal Transit Authority for $3.6 million, some of which will be used to swap public buses for trolleys on Siesta Key.

At the July 10 Sarasota County Commission meeting, the Sarasota County Transit Authority was authorized to seek the grant money. Of the improvement costs, SCTA plans to spend $2.25 million on five trolleys. Two will replace the Sarasota County area transit buses already operating the No. 11 route on Siesta.

Sarasota County expects to put out a request for proposal by Oct. 1 and choose the winning bidder one month later. According to the contract, all of the trolleys will arrive by Aug. 30, 2013, equipped with five security cameras each.

Meetings & Agendas
• Water and Sewer Advisory Committee — 9 a.m. Thursday, July 19, Sarasota County Operations Center, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota

• Siesta Isles Association — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 5394 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key

• Criminal Justice Commission — Noon Monday, July 23, Sarasota County Administration, Think Tank, Third Floor, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

• Development Review Committee — Noon Monday, July 23, Sarasota County Operations Center, 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota

• Superintendent’s Tentative Budget — 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, Landings Administrative Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota