Sarasota County Updates -

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Dear Lake,
Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us atcommunications@scgov.net. 
Feb. 19 workshop to seek input on North Port joint-use library project
TODAY: Sarasota County Government, Sarasota County Schools and the city of North Port will hold a neighborhood community workshop about the planning, design and programs for the new Suncoast Technical College and Sarasota County Public Library. The two-hour workshop is set for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, in the Toledo Blade Elementary School Cafeteria in North Port.
SATURDAY: Sarasota County announces the continuation of the popular Barefoot Beach Bazaar at Nokomis Beach on Saturday, Feb. 21. 
SATURDAY: Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is hosting its Fourth Annual Englewood Community Garage Sale at the Englewood Sports Complex on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Siesta Beach has won the Traveler's Choice Award from TripAdvisor.
Help promote the safe and courteous use of our non-motorized multiple-use trails. See safety displays, enjoy helmet fittings and free bicycle helmets for children pledging to follow safety and courtesy guidelines, while supplies last.
Elsie Quirk Public Library will host a grand opening ceremony for its new Reading Garden at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.
County's tax bond rating upgraded
New York based Moody's Investor Services announced last week that Sarasota County's limited ad valorem tax bond rating has been upgraded. The $71.3 million in bonds from 2008 and 2005 have been upgraded from a B status to an A status, reflecting the expectation that taxable property values will continue to grow over the next several years throughout unincorporated Sarasota County. 
County libraries and the Orioles team up to knock reading out of the park
Sarasota County is going to bat with the Baltimore Orioles and the Big League Reader Program to encourage youth leadership. Children who sign up at a county library and read three or more books during February earn a free grandstand ticket to the Orioles Spring Training game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 14.
Free tax help available through AARP
Free tax aid is available at locations throughout Sarasota County for quick filing of federal individual income tax returns at AARP tax aid sites and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. The VITA sites are operated by the United Way Suncoast.
Important changes underway to flood maps
Important changes to Sarasota County's flood hazard maps are underway. Proposed floodplain boundaries, regulatory flood elevations and vertical datum changes have been received by your community officials and published in the Federal Registrar on Dec. 31, 2014. Proposed Draft FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps are scheduled for adoption in 2016. 
"Like" the page now to stay up-to-date on all how you can help change lives in Sarasota County.
Due to ongoing construction work at the Siesta Beach pavilion the 2015 Beach University has been canceled. The program, which spans four weeks and focuses on protecting coastal eco-systems, will return in 2016.
 
About Us
Sarasota County Government 
1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, 
Florida 34236 
TTY: 7-1-1 or 1-800-955-8771

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at https://www.scgov.net/ADA/Pages/default.aspx.

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