'Dead' buses on County Commission agenda

Sarasota County Area Transit General Manager Glama Carter recommended that county commissioners approve the purchase of five diesels buses from Palm Beach County for $1 each.

Palm Tran used each of the buses until they reached 500,000 miles and are now considered to be past their useful service life, according to the Federal Transit Administration. SCAT will use the buses to buffer its fleet replacement ratio in order to avoid service interruption when other buses need repair, Carter said in a memo to commissioners.

Commissioners will consider the contract tomorrow during a regular meeting. County Commission topics for this week’s meetings include:

• An extension of the sunset date for an ordinance encouraging commercial redevelopment to Jan, 31, 2015.
• Authorization of a $33-million loan to refinance loans to the county from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Reduction of a contract for the Palmer Park Restoration Project, and consideration for re-bidding the contract.
• Consideration of revisions to the county purchasing code relating to local vendor preference.
• Sarasota County Sheriff Office’s 12A plan.

IF YOU GO
What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13
Where: Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd.

What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14
Where: Administration Building, 1660 Ringling Blvd.