Vote Yes on replacing the subaqueous pipeline

On the March 11 General Election Ballot, you will be asked to approve up to a $33 million low-interest State Revolving Loan to finance the replacement of the subaqueous wastewater line running across Sarasota Bay. The current pipeline is over 50 years old and in 2020 it developed a leak, releasing 14 million gallons of LBK’s sewage. This pipeline is the ONLY means of transporting our raw sewage to the treatment facility in Bradenton. It must be replaced and quickly. Doing nothing is not an option.

The pipeline replacement project will proceed in early 2026. The only question is how it will be financed. The proposed State loan is the lowest cost option and would save the Town anywhere from $8 to $21 million in interest payments compared to a traditional bond issue.

However, the Town charter requires that voters approve the State loan.

Therefore, I would urge you to vote YES on March 11 to approve the State Revolving Loan.

Please also encourage your friends and neighbors to vote YES.

–Jim Haft, Longboat Key