Brown asks for trial

The counsel representing Chris Brown filed a notice of readiness for trial with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court Sept. 18 to decide the Siesta Key business owner’s lawsuit against Sarasota County. The notice requests a non-jury trial estimated to last five days, according to files obtained from the Sarasota Clerk of Circuit Court.

The civil suit alleges the county selectively enforced tax assessments in Siesta Key Village and targeted Brown’s properties. The Sarasota County Commission, during an Aug. 21 meeting, voted to decline a $277,000 settlement Brown’s counsel offered last month.

“At some point, the window of opportunity begins to close,” Brown said in a phone interview. “I offered to settle, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult as my (legal) costs continue to rise.”