Larson Lines: Town Commissioner Lynn Larson discusses town issues

Commissioner Lynn Larson was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key’s July 9 breakfast meeting. Larson reaches the end of term limits as a commissioner after six years of service in March.

“If you don’t like what’s going on, you step up and run or you shut up,” Larson said. “I don’t like to shut up, so I ran.”

Larson reflected on the following issues with Kiwanians. 

Frozen pension plan:

“It was painful to freeze the pension plans, but the former town manager and past commissions were kicking a $28 million unfunded liability issue down the road for years. We have it down to $24 million now. There will be more pains before we see the number reduced further. We had to do what was right for the town and its citizens.”

“If you don’t like what’s going on, you step up and run or you shut up. I don’t like to shut up, so I ran.”

— Commissioner Lynn Larson

Money set aside for pension liabilities:

“There’s $1.6 million set aside for pension liabilities, and I’m trying to get it moved to the pension board. We have lost $470,000 in potential returns over the last several years by keeping that $1.6 million aside. We voted to move some of that money (approximately $300,000) over to the pension board. The pension fund can and needs to be making bigger returns than it is now.”

Firefighter contract:

“Firefighters paid 10% of their salary for years into their pension plans at their request and now, all of a sudden, it’s a big burden for them. I’m not sure how this negotiation session will play out. I can tell you it’s a good contract for the town, despite what some people have said. That contract stays in effect until we come to terms on a new one.”

Budget:

“I’m not in favor of using general fund money, which is the town’s rainy day fund, to offset a deficit. We need to either raise taxes or live within our means and adjust budget line items accordingly. I plan on going through line items more before the budget is approved and making budget-cutting recommendations.”

Gulf of Mexico Drive crosswalks:

“Five of them will be built on Gulf of Mexico Drive in 2016. I think they are needed. It’s tough dragging grandchildren across the road to get to the beach. I’m glad Country Club Shores got one. They will only be activated when a button is pushed to walk across.”

Undergrounding:

“I’m extremely happy the Gulf of Mexico Drive undergrounding project is moving forward to the voters. Let the citizens decide if they want to bury utilities and install a fiber optic backbone to improve cellular communication. It’s the right way to do it. “

Commissioner pay:

“This job pays all of the grief you can get and a little bit more.”

Wish list item:

“If I had one wish, it’s that the Colony Beach & Tennis Resort buildings are bulldozed and a new resort is built in its place.”