Government Digest: June 17

Eva Rey named new community manager
LAKEWOOD RANCH — Supervisors for the Inter-District Authority of Lakewood Ranch selected Eva Rey as its new community manager for the community development district on the Sarasota-Manatee border. Rey currently serves as director of purchasing and support services for The Village Center Community Development District, an 80,000-resident community development district south of Ocala. IDA Chairman Tom Green will head contract negotiations with Rey, who is expected to begin her new job in July. Rey replaces Bob Fernandez, who for five years served as manager before he resigned. Rey was offered the post over four other candidates.

Commissioners cut road impact fees 27%
LEE COUNTY — Despite pleas for deeper cuts to the county's road impact fees by real estate professionals, builders and business leaders, county commissioners voted to support an average 27% reduction recommended by staff and a consultant. Commissioners took the action following a June 14 public hearing. The county's local planning agency recommended an additional 50% cut for two years, and the Horizon Council, the county's economic development board, recommended a similar approach.

The consultant's method for calculating the fees was called into question following a Business Review analysis showing that fee payers are assessed for travel on state roads and I-75 although the county has no plans to spend road impact fees on such roads.

Lewis offered interim administrator post
SARASOTA COUNTY — Former North Port police chief Terry Lewis will be offered the position of interim county administrator after Sarasota County Sheriff's Major Kurt Hoffman declined the job. Lewis has also served as interim North Port city manager. Lewis replaces Jim Ley, who resigned last month amid controversy tied to a purchasing scandal. Hoffman turned down the position after determining that his government pension would be adversely affected.

Redistricting hearings coming to Gulf Coast
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Senate and House are hosting 26 public hearings throughout the state on redistricting this summer ending in Tampa Bay and southwest Florida. Legislators will hold the redistricting hearings as they prepare to redraw the lines in their own districts and map out 27 congressional seats to replace the current 25 districts.

State senators and representatives will host five rounds of joint hearings at locations throughout the state to hear citizens' views.

In the final round from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, five of the final six hearings are set for Tampa (Aug. 29), St. Petersburg and Sarasota (Aug. 30), and Lehigh Acres and Naples (Aug. 31).

The last hearing, Sept. 1, is in Clewiston in Hendry County.

For the complete schedule see www.flsenate.gov/Session/Redistricting/Hearings.

Online business tax payments unavailable
TAMPA — No business tax payments may be made via the TampaGov website from June 10 through June 30 because of the city's annual renewal process.
For additional information, contact the business tax office at 813-274-8751.

Commissioners pass pain clinic regs
SARASOTA COUNTY — Sarasota County commissioners approved ordinances June 7 on the location and regulation of pain management clinics.

The change to the zoning code allows clinics in Commercial General (CG) and Office, Professional and Institutional (OPI) zoning districts, with the approval of special exceptions.

For more information contact Brooke Baker, Health Department, 941-893-7322.