COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER BOAT RAMP PURCHASE

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER SPENDING ABOUT THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY A PIECE OF LAND THAT WILL ADD PARKING SPACES AND ANOTHER BOAT LAUNCH AT THE PLACIDA BOAT RAMP.  ACCORDING TO THE SUN, COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE NEGOTIATING A SHORT-SALE ON APPROXIMATELY FOURTEEN ACRES OF VACANT WATERFRONT PROPERTY THAT’S ADJACENT TO THE CURRENT BOAT RAMP.  IF THE PURCHASE IS MADE, THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO PUT IN ANOTHER THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE PARK, BUT COMMISSIONER ROBERT SKIDMORE TOLD THE PAPER THAT THIS IS A PRISTINE PIECE OF PROPERTY AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT.  HE ALSO SAID PEOPLE SOMETIMES CHASTISE THEM FOR SPENDING MONEY, BUT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE WHERE YOU MIGHT SPEND A LITTLE AND MAKE A LOT.  THE COUNTY WOULD REPORTEDLY FUND THE PURCHASE THROUGH ITS ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RESERVES, AND COMMISSIONERS SAY NO TAX INCREASE WOULD BE NEEDED.  UP TO 260 PAID PARKING SPACES WOULD BE ADDED IN A PLACE WHERE PARKING IS AN ISSUE.