Longboat Key Commissioners Still Wavering on Funding Trolley Service

MANATEE--The future of the Longboat Key Trolley is still in doubt as commissioners from Manatee and Longboat Key discussed its funding at Tuesday’s workshop session in the county administration building. Longboat Key Mayor George Spoll questioned the financial breakdown as presented by Manatee County Transit Manager Ralf Heseler.

In last month’s joint meeting of Manatee, Sarasota and Longboat Key commissioners in Sarasota, Mayor Spoll said he believes the service should be fully funded by the two counties as an obligation representing both the tax dollars Longboat Key contributes to both counties and that Longboat residents are county residents. At Tuesday’s work session, Mayor Spoll reiterated his stance on the issue which will be voted on at next Monday’s Longboat Key Commission meeting.

Manatee County agreed to fund $200,000 of the $300,000 cost to operate the trolley service until December 31 of this year. A federal grant that had provided a bulk of the operating costs expired last summer. Both Sarasota and Manatee County commissioners have stated that Longboat Key should be responsible for the shortfall.

Transit Manager Ralf Heseler also presented an overview of the counties transit system including the public seating program and bus shelters, facility maintenance, Para-Transit Handi Bus and Transportation Disadvantaged ridership increases, bus stop bench advertising and special projects.