While You Were Sleeping: Wednesday, Sept. 30

Protect Siesta Key Inc. and four Siesta Key residents say they have filed a lawsuit challenging Sarasota County's proposed land exchange involving publicly owned property at 162 Beach Road, according to WWSB / MySuncoast. The group says the county bought the property in 2017 for about $1.4 million with Neighborhood Parkland Program funds that were restricted for parkland and environmentally sensitive land. The proposed deal would transfer that property and add about $400,000 in public money in exchange for three privately held beach lots the plaintiffs say the county previously valued at about $30,000 each in separate federal litigation. They argue the county lacks legal authority to dispose of the parkland property that way and want a court to decide.

Why it matters: The suit puts a contested public-private beach settlement in front of a judge before the land changes hands.

The Manatee County School District has begun a pilot that lets first responders tap real-time data and video during potential school threats, WFLA reported late Tuesday. A nearly $400,000 contract with Centegix and OpenEye, approved earlier this year, allows existing cameras to be live-streamed to law enforcement in an emergency. Randy Warren of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said the feeds help deputies prepare before they enter a campus. The cameras only live-stream during threats. The pilot builds on Alyssa's Law, which already requires Florida schools to have mobile emergency-response systems.

Why it matters: Officers can see inside a campus in real time when a threat is active, instead of arriving without a live picture.

Federal disaster recovery money is headed back to the Suncoast through FEMA's Public Assistance Program, WENG reported Tuesday. Manatee County is in line for nearly $44 million to remove more than 1.2 million cubic yards of debris left by Hurricanes Milton and Debbie. Sarasota is set for more than $750,000 for Indian Beach Park restoration, and North Port more than $600,000 to reimburse Hurricane Ian law-enforcement costs. The Florida Division of Emergency Management still has to sign off before the money reaches local governments.

Why it matters: Manatee's share is aimed at roadside and neighborhood debris that has lingered for months after the storms.

Florida's minimum wage rises from $14 to $15 an hour on Wednesday, Sept. 30, completing the last of the annual dollar increases voters approved in a 2020 constitutional amendment, according to WENG. The wage started at $10 in September 2021 and stepped up a dollar each year. For tipped workers, employers must now pay at least $11.98 an hour, with tips expected to cover the remaining $3.02 to reach $15. Local managers and residents told WENG the raise helps workers keep up with costs, while some worry businesses will pass higher labor costs into prices.

Why it matters: It is the final scheduled step in the amendment's climb to $15, and it takes effect statewide today.

Manatee County commissioners approved a $3.7 billion gross budget for fiscal year 2027, including a 0.012-mill cut in the aggregate millage rate, The Bradenton Times reported Tuesday night. The final budget hearing was Sept. 24. The approved annual budget is about $125 million higher than the prior year; the FY27 net budget is $1.5 billion. The package includes a $4.83 billion five-year Capital Improvement Plan for FY27-31, with $694 million planned for FY27 and 14 new projects. The aggregate millage rate is set at 6.4912. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Why it matters: The vote locks in next year's tax rate and a multi-year capital plan before Oct. 1.