Longboat town leadership remains in place after uncontested runs

Every year, Longboat Key town commissioners can nominate fellow commissioners to take the reins as mayor and vice mayor. 

Both Mayor Ken Schneier and Vice Mayor Mike Haycock received the only nominations for their respective positions, which were both validated by a unanimous vote. 

Commissioner-At-Large BJ Bishop nominated Schneier to keep his mayoral position. She said this coming year is critical to see the end of projects like the Sarasota County library and the underground utilities project. 

“I think it would be critical that you have this coming year to finish that work off for us,” Bishop said as a part of her nomination. 

Schneier’s first term as District 3 commissioner began in March 2020, and he is currently in his second and last term, which expires in March 2026. Town commissioners serve three-year terms and have a two-term limit. This will be Schneier’s fourth year as mayor. 

“I want to thank you all for the confidence in me for another year,” Schneier said. “I have two more years before terming out as a commissioner … I strongly suggest that we, as a body, think about the future a little bit so that, a year from now, we are able to move forward into the future with someone else who would be willing to take this job on.” 

Schneier said, ideally, it would be a good idea to nominate someone else while he is still serving on the commission so that he can make introductions and help the transition. 

Bishop also made the nomination for Haycock to remain as vice mayor, which was upheld with a unanimous vote. 

This month also meant the start of a new term for District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold and District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams. 

In November 2023, the application period for the commission seat closed, and Gold and Williams were the only applicants for their districts. 

Since there was no opposition, there was no need for a preliminary election or a general municipal election, the latter of which would have been held on March 19. 

Gold was sworn in at the March 25 statutory meeting to solidify her second and final term as commissioner. 

Williams was called out of town and was unable to attend the March 25 meeting, so she was sworn in on March 22 at town hall. 

Both of their final terms will extend until March 2027.