HOLMES BEACH – It was a celebration of community and the start of the holiday season as residents and visitors alike gathered for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.
The Island Chamber’s tree-lighting ceremony drew several hundred revelers enjoying the festivities of the Holmes Beach Holiday Open House. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Businesses reported that more people than the previous year turned out for the Holiday Open House Friday night, held in the city’s central business district near the intersection of Gulf and Marina Drives. It might have been the perfect weather or cabin fever from the past weeks of red tide, but the visitors also spent money, which the merchants needed.
The open house also included A Paradise Realty’s 2018 Toys for Tots wine and tapas tasting with Hurricane Hank’s supplying the food and wine.
The celebration started around the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the annual event. The crowd gathered in the Chamber parking lot, sampling cookies and listening to music provided by CrossPointe Fellowship. Revelers also were greeted by the pirates of the Anna Maria Island Privateers and had the opportunity to climb aboard Santa’s sleigh to tell the man himself what they want for Christmas.
Larry Wilhelm, dressed as Ebenezer Scrooge, entertained attendees by playing Christmas carols outside of the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island. – Kristin Swain | Sun
In years past, many people headed for the shopping centers before the Christmas tree lighting, but this year scrumptious snacks at Aqua Aveda next to the Chamber kept the visitors around. There was a “Christmas Vacation” moment when the tree’s lights came on, then all of the lights in the parking lot went off. It was only temporary, and the lights came back on and stayed that way, receiving a round of cheers and applause from onlookers.
The shops and art outlets reported good sales and the Toys for Tots donations also were plentiful. The merchants were thankful and hopeful that the event was the start of a business rebound from the lingering effects of red tide.
Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are returning to Florida in January to film episodes of their popular TV series “American Pickers.”
“American Pickers” is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique picking on The History Channel. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.
As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.
Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. “American Pickers” is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure.
If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST.
Almost a year ago, I wrote a column about the proliferation of buyers from other countries coming into the state of Florida. Florida at that time was the national leader for international buyers at 22 percent of all international buyers in the United States. But there are many foreign countries that either prohibit foreign buyers or levy additional taxes to discourage them. These are a few:
New Zealand, in particular, has taken a hard stance on foreign buyers in an effort to make homes more affordable for its citizens. It recently passed legislation to limit foreign buyers to buying only newly built homes, and only 60 percent of units in new apartment buildings can be owned by foreign buyers.
New Zealand’s neighbor Australia has also increased the tax burden on new homes, introducing a buying tax and raising its stamp tax to 8 percent. This is in addition to annual fees for foreign owners.
Property values in the United Kingdom have been very hot, especially in London in recent years. To help cool off the market, the U.K. has added a 3 percent surcharge on the stamp tax paid by second home buyers and a 15 percent buying tax on all homes bought through a shell company. This was a previous technique frequently used by foreign buyers, which has resulted in prices falling substantially in London.
Hong Kong also has a tax stamp fee of 15 percent for foreign buyers and has extended that to include all second-home buyers as well. And Switzerland, which always has discouraged foreign ownership of property, now requires a permit to purchase property with a limit of 1,500 permits a year. There is an exception for EU buyers who have permanent homes in Switzerland. Even Mexico will technically not allow foreign buyers to purchase property within 31 miles of the coast or 62 miles of the U.S. border. There are, however, ways to get around this by having local banks hold title to the property. But there is still hope for foreign buyers who want to purchase exotic properties. The Maldives in the Indian Ocean and Thailand will be glad to take your money.
To my knowledge, I don’t believe the United States government has placed any restrictions on foreign buyers entering our real estate market. Aside from a tax ID number, foreign buyers do not have to be U.S. citizens, do not need a green card and do not require a special visa. As long as they have the cash or can obtain satisfactory financing, they are pretty much free to buy whatever and where ever they want.
The onus is on the lenders to qualify the buyer’s finances, visas and legal right to be in the country to protect their investment from buyers who suddenly leave the country with the bank becoming responsible for the property. However, almost half of property purchases by foreign nationals are made in cash, 44 percent at last count.
Foreign buyers may be boxed out of purchasing real estate in some countries in an effort to keep their real estate prices from becoming overinflated, harming their own citizens. Fortunately, the United States is a big wealthy country and will not be seriously impacted by an influx of foreign buyers. That said, there are areas of Florida, particularly on the east coast, where foreign buyers have some responsibility in running up property values.
We love real estate buyers no matter where they’re from. Tell Mexico and Australia and Switzerland and all the others to send them to us. We’ll make sure they have a merry Christmas.
Medium levels of red tide are predicted through at least Monday, Dec. 10 on Anna Maria Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.
The most recent FWC water samples available show these concentrations of red tide:
Not present or background: Mead Point at Perico Island, Dec. 4
Low: Rod and Reel Pier (Anna Maria), Dec. 3; Longboat Pass boat ramp (Sarasota Bay), Dec. 3
Medium levels: Palma Sola Bay bridge, Dec. 5.
Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects.
Very low levels can cause respiratory irritation.
Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills.
Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills.
High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.
Respiratory irritation was reported Nov. 29 and Dec. 1-5 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Dec. 1-6 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).
Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.
Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.
The toxic algae bloom has been present in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for more than a year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August.
The temperatures dropped while the competition on the Island pitch heated up Thursday night in the adult soccer league.
With one game left in the regular season, Sato Real Estate sealed the first place seed with the win against Eason Builders Group. Both teams were missing key players in the matchup. Sato Real Estate team captain Josh Sato was absent from the action, as was Eason Builders’ Sean Flynn.
Playing without goalkeeper Cliff Powell, Eason Builders Group scrambled to fill the position with Ray Gardner, Yuri Pereira and Greg DeMeuse and took the field with no substitute players.
Despite their best efforts, Eason Builders Group came up short against the skillful Sato squad.
In the mix for the second seed position, Jiffy Lube handily beat Slim’s Place. The goals by Aaron Parkin and Diego Felipe was no match against Danny Anderson’s Jiffy Lube team. Anderson’s single goal, finisher by Mike Brusso, two goals by Nathan Kragt and Eliza Faillace’s hat trick gave the team a five-goal win.
Lancaster Design picked up its third win of the season against Moss Builders, which also has three wins. In his second season, Zackary Lieb proves to be a consistent force on the field, putting up two goals in the game.
In addition to Lieb’s goals, Lancaster Design’s win was aided by scores by team captain Kris Yavalar, Cemal Duzgan and Sumiko Chipman.
Moss Builders’ Robert Armstrong and Eduardo Vera each scored a single goal, while newcomer Eva Howland found the net twice.
As the night grew colder, Ross Built Construction nearly won its first game of the season against AMI Locals. New to the Ross Built team, Riley Moore’s goal helped his team’s efforts. Vince Circharo, with two goals, and team captain Greg Ross’ point put the team within one point of a tie.
With the win, AMI Locals remains in the middle of the standing pack with Jiffy Lube, Lancaster Design, Moss Builders and Eason Builders.
The last regular season game on Thursday, Dec. 6, is followed by the playoff games on Tuesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 13. A champion will be named on Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
All of us who live on the Gulf coast have been impacted by the recent red tide and the unprecedented death of dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and fish. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and jaded at the politics and seeming hopelessness of the situation. Living here and having the opportunity to enjoy and explore the region’s bounty fosters a unique appreciation for its riches. A mixed blessing of sorts, it also points out how vulnerable the marine resources are and can cultivate a desire to protect them so future generations can have the same opportunities they’ve had. That was the inspiration for Kids for Clean Water, an organization the goal of which is to give kids a say in the health of the environment they will inherit.
Tracy Freeman, editor of Edible Sarasota Magazine was visibly distraught as she related over lunch last June that her daughter Addy, age 11, had been in tears as she wrote a letter expressing her sadness at the images of dead sea life that permeated the news and social media. They were both looking for a way to make a difference.
“This is important to me because I want kids in the future to have the same experiences that I have enjoyed. If we don’t clean up our water, our wildlife will continue to die. Our sea turtles are dying because of all the plastic in the ocean; we have to stop using plastic straws. I want safe water so I can swim and go fishing with my Dad.” Addy Freeman, age 11.
Dawn Barbour, of Sarasota, expressed the same sentiment when her daughter Sadie related her experiences in school where sea turtles were the subject of their study. The kids were working on a project to educate their parents on the importance of helping turtles and the deaths in the red tide were distressing them. Dawn knew she wanted to do more when she heard Sadie make a comment based on a political ad she had heard on television.
“Kids for Clean Water means helping to save all of our beautiful dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and fish. We can all do our part to help make sure all do our part to help make sure our waters are clean and healthy for us and for the marine life.” Sadie Barbour, age 9.
John Paul (J.P.) Brooker is well aware of the challenges we face. As the Ocean Conservancy’s Policy Counsel for the Fish Conservation Program, working on marine conservation issues in the southeast is a day job for him. This made him all the more passionate about protecting the waters for his family and future generations. His two daughters are still young, but they too love the beaches and the marine life that they’re just getting to know.
“My daughters are seventh generation Floridians. And as a passionate environmentalist and lover of Floridian wilderness myself, I am committed to instilling in them the sense of duty to be stewards of our states most precious natural resources, especially the watersheds and coastal ecosystems that make Florida such a unique and special place.”
“Since I could walk I’ve been swimming and fishing in Florida water, and I want my girls to be the same – that’s why I am proud to foster the conservationist spirit of my budding Floridian environmentalists, and why I am so excited that we have started up Kids for Clean Water.” J.P. Brooker for his daughters, Anne, 3, and Elizabeth, 4.
When the three met, the chemistry was perfect and led to the formation of Kids for Clean Water. The organization is new and in the process of obtaining their 501 3C non-profit status. They have established an email account, floridakidsforcleanwater@gmail.com, an Instagram account, and a Facebook page.
I don’t have any children, but having been blessed with over three decades on Florida’s west coast, I too want to make sure that future generations have the same opportunities I’ve had. That’s why I’m joining Kids for Clean Water’s efforts to protect and enhance Florida’s marine ecosystem. For the dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, fish and future generations. Will you?
ANNA MARIA – Despite the Florida heat, The Center of Anna Maria Island was transformed Dec. 1 into a winter wonderland for the 17th Annual Lester Family Fun Day.
The annual event, sponsored by Chuck and Joey Lester, promises family fun at old-fashioned prices, and this year’s event definitely delivered. Families were treated to burgers from Duffy’s Tavern, hotdogs donated by Anna Maria Oyster Bar and ice cream sandwiches from Tyler’s Ice Cream.
Joey and Chuck Lester enjoy a Duffy’s burger. – Kristin Swain | Sun
While the inside of the Center was a north pole fairyland with Christmas lights, holiday trees, giant teddy bears and colorfully wrapped gifts, the outside actually had snow from two snowmen who blew the white bubbly stuff over an area where children frolicked and played before moving on to the bounce house, petting zoo or participated in a pick-up football game on the field. The two favorite attractions were the pony ride and the bull ride which had a continuous line of eager riders until the field events closed at 1:30 p.m. to make way for the golf ball 50/50 raffle drop from a helicopter.
Center Executive Director Chris Culhane and his family took to the skies, flying on the donated chopper from Sarasota to the Center where they dropped buckets of purchased, numbered golf balls on the field to see which one would land closest to the hole. Center board treasurer Christine Hicks won the raffle with the first ever golf ball that landed in the hole. She donated her winnings back to the Center.
In addition to the 50/50 raffle, raffles also were held for 50 turkeys that were given away during the event and a Christmas tree, donated by Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton.
Holiday tunes for the event were provided by DJ Freeze though one of the biggest attractions of the day was a performance by the Manatee High School drum line. Everyone was in high spirits when the drum line escorted in Santa and his elves, delivered to the event on his sleigh by the Pyrates of the Gulf Coast. Even Santa couldn’t help dancing to the beat of the drums as he gave a little impromptu performance before taking a seat and hearing the Christmas wishes of all the boys and girls in attendance.
Throughout the day, children were able to participate in activities from fishing for prizes to decorating cookies and ornaments along with face painting. Before the 50/50 raffle wrapped up the day’s festivities, board Chair David Zaccagnino took to the stage to thank the day’s sponsors, staff and volunteers and present a piece of original artwork to Chuck and Joey Lester created by 21-year-old artist Emma Terry, who previously attended the Center’s after-school program. The artwork also was used to create T-shirts for the event, which were available to volunteers and for purchase.
“This is an amazing event,” Zaccagnino said at the end of the day. “It just keeps getting better and better every year.”
ANNA MARIA – The cool temperature Sunday evening was perfect for a walk around the block, and that’s what a group of worshippers did as they celebrated Roser Community Church’s Annual Bethlehem Walk.
Two baby goats had the attention of these ladies. – Tom Vaught | Sun
The trek included a few stops to ask innkeepers if they had room for Joseph, played by Mark Morse, and Mary, played by Maggie Carlson. Walkers were joined by barnyard animals brought out to Anna Maria for the occasion, including a llama, lambs, baby goats and the donkey that accompanies Mary and Joseph on the way to find housing for the night. The walk covers approximately one block in Anna Maria, ending back where it began at Roser with the revelation of the baby Jesus, this year played by Arianna Wade. Afterward, participants are invited to come into the fellowship hall to enjoy cookies, coffee, hot chocolate and other treats provided by the church.
The Bethlehem Walk began years ago. Nobody remembers when, but it was an opportunity for young and old alike to experience the night Christ was born. Attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the season and the walk by joining the actors in wearing costumes, provided by the church for visitors to borrow for the event, and sing Christmas carols along the way in between stops to visit with innkeepers. This year, patrons of the Waterfront Restaurant, located along the Bethlehem Walk’s path, joined in on the fun, singing along, taking photos and wishing the walking group a Merry Christmas. As the walk progressed, the group was joined by more people who took to the street on foot and by golf cart.
The annual procession takes place typically the first weekend of December and is traditionally begun after sunset. Attendees are always advised to bring a flashlight to help light the way.
Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton is teaming up with The Center of Anna Maria Island to help make the season brighter for the nonprofit.
Michigan natives Kerry and Chrissy Foley, along with their family, come to the Beachway Plaza at 75th Street and Manatee Avenue every year to sell fresh cut Christmas trees as Merry Christmas Trees of Bradenton. This year, if patrons of the pop-up tree farm mention that they live on Anna Maria Island or support The Center of Anna Maria Island, the Center will receive 10 percent of each tree purchase. Kerry said he and his family feel that it’s a great way to give back to the community that becomes their home over the holidays. He said the family also donated a tree to be raffled off for Lester Family Fun Day at the Center.
The tree farm is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and has trees of all sizes, decorations and homemade jam for purchase. Tree delivery and set up also are available for an additional fee.
ANNA MARIA – Wash Family Construction owner Darrin Wash and the city of Anna Maria have agreed to a settlement that exceeds $56,000 for permitting fees and additional expenses owed to the city.
City commissioners authorized the settlement agreement on Thursday, Nov. 29.
“The city recently became aware that the contractor had submitted certain applications for building permits which understated the amount of the cost of the proposed construction in both FEMA-related and non-FEMA related residential properties through the use of ‘double contracts,’ and as a result the city began proceedings against the contractor to be held before the city’s Local Construction Regulation Board (LCRB),” the settlement agreement states.
The settlement negates the need for Wash to appear before the regulation board that consists of three Planning and Zoning Board members, who in that capacity have the authority to prohibit Wash and his company from obtaining city-issued permits.
According to a spreadsheet included in the meeting packet, Wash Family Construction, between 2012 and 2017, requested city-issued permits for 20 projects with a total stated contract value of $2.6 million. The actual value of the contracts was $5.09 million. This produced $2.48 million discrepancy between the stated contract values and the actual contract values, and the company now owes the city $49,696 in additional permitting fees.
Wash is required to pay the city $4,139 per month until that balance is paid off. If a payment is missed, the remaining balance becomes due in full and a regulation board hearing will be scheduled.
The settlement agreement also requires Wash to pay $2,100 for services provided by building official Luke Curtis, $4,500 for services provided by City Attorney Becky Vose and $124 to reimburse Vose for a plane ticket.
Wash also agrees to be shadowed for one year at his expense by a contractor of the city’s choice, who will have full access to financial matters and documents related to his permitting requests in Anna Maria.
The settlement agreement requires Wash to issue a public admission/apology to the city regarding the misuse of double contracts and a promise that the contractor will never again make inaccurate statements regarding construction costs.
The settlement agreement states the contractor admitted wrongdoing regarding the understated contracts and that neither the city or any city officials were aware of or complicit in the “misdeeds and bad actions of the contractor.”
These matters stem from a 2016 lawsuit in which Wash claimed Martin and Threse Hurbi owed his company $94,208 for renovations made to their single-story vacation rental at 759 North Shore Drive. Wash sought a lien on the property and requested it be sold to pay for the work.
The Hurbis’ attorney filed a counterclaim alleging the couple was charged for work not performed, overcharged for work performed, charged for materials not delivered and that some work was defective. An amended counterclaim filed in April 2017 alleged Wash committed FEMA fraud.
The city became aware of the FEMA fraud allegations last August.
Eighteen of the 20 projects listed in the settlement spreadsheet were subject to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 50 percent substantial improvement rule. The rule states that if the cost of improvements or repairs exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building, it must be brought up to current floodplain management standards.
After leaving the commission chambers, Wash said, “I’m thankful for Anna Maria letting me do this.”
HOLMES BEACH – Nov. 29 was a day of celebration in the city commission chambers at city hall as the city’s new mayor, commissioners and charter review commission members took the oaths of their offices.
The chamber was packed with cheering friends, family members, supporters and city hall staff as each person stepped up to take the oath, administered by City Clerk Stacey Johnston.
City Clerk Stacey Johnston swears in members of the city’s new charter review commission, David Zaccagnino, Sean Murphy, Edward Upshaw, Claudia Carlson and Nancy Deal. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Elected to the charter review commission are Claudia Carlson, Nancy Deal, Sean Murphy, Edward Upshaw and David Zaccagnino. The charter review commission is expected to begin meeting in January.
Commissioner Pat Morton stepped up to take the oath for the ninth time, having first been elected to the city commission in 2003.
City Clerk Stacey Johnston congratulates Commissioner Pat Morton on his re-election. – Kristin Swain | Sun
The new commissioner on the dais this year is Commissioner Kim Rash, who received the most votes in the November election. This is Rash’s first term as commissioner.
Commissioner Kim Rash takes the oath of office. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Commissioner turned Mayor Judy Titsworth also took the oath of office, making her the fifth female mayor of Holmes Beach.
After the formalities were completed and the elected officials had a moment to be congratulated by their family and friends, the commissioners and mayor took to the dais for the city’s annual organizational meeting.
Mayor Judy Titsworth is sworn in as the fifth female mayor of Holmes Beach. – Kristin Swain | Sun
Commissioner Jim Kihm was elected as the new chair in a 4-1 vote with Morton dissenting. Morton was elected as vice-chair for the city commission in a 3-2 vote with Kihm and Rash dissenting.
At the end of the meeting, Rash took the opportunity to thank his friends, family and supporters who helped him make his way to a commission seat. “We had a real uphill battle,” he said.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer greeted the newly elected officials by saying, “Welcome to all and good luck.” Building Official Jim McGuinness also offered his congratulations.
As the meeting concluded, Titsworth said she’s feeling good about her new position and is “ready to get going.”
Kihm said he was happy to be elected as commission chair and said he’s looking forward to working with the new commission and hopes the coming year will be a good one for the city.
Also attending the meeting was former Mayor Bob Johnson, who said he’s feeling good about sitting on the other side of the dais and is looking forward to political retirement to spend more time with his wife and family.
The newly seated commission is scheduled to have its first regular meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at city hall.
ANNA MARIA – During the Thursday, Nov. 29, organizational meeting. City Clerk LeAnne Addy administered the oath of office to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and city commissioners Amy Tripp and Brian Seymour.
All three incumbent city officials ran unopposed in the recent city elections and will serve additional two-year terms in office.
Brian Seymour is sworn into his second term as a commissioner. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
After the swearing-in ceremonies, Tripp nominated Seymour to serve as the commission chair, and the commission unanimously supported the nomination. Seymour will serve as commission chair for one year and Commissioner Carol Carter will serve as vice-chair.
Amy Tripp is sworn into her first full term as a commissioner. She served a partial term after being appointed in February. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
“I’m very honored that Commissioner Tripp nominated me. I’m happy to learn from the staff and the mayor and continue to grow my knowledge of the operations and execution of the city priorities,” Seymour said after the meeting.
Commissioner Doug Copeland served as commission chair for the past three years. Copeland, Carter and Dale Woodland have one more year remaining in their current commission terms.
ANNA MARIA – The $3.33 million contract to build the decking and walkway for the new Anna Maria City Pier is a done deal.
On Thursday, Nov. 29, City Commissioners unanimously authorized Mayor Dan Murphy to execute the construction contract with Tampa-based Infrastructure & Industrial Contractors Southeast Inc. (i+icon).
The contract gives i+icon 270 days to complete the pier project by Aug. 26, 2019. It allows the city to penalize the firm $975 per day for any delays beyond that date but gives the commission the discretion to extend the construction timeline due to a storm, prolonged loss of power or some other unforeseen occurrence.
Murphy said i+icon indicated the first pier pilings will be driven in January.
The contract states the new pier will be approximately 730 feet long and 12 feet wide, with a 111-foot by 88-foot T-end section to accommodate a restaurant, bait shop and restrooms. The scope of work does not include the restaurant, bait shop and restrooms spaces that will be addressed in a separate request for proposals (RFP).
The commission-approved contract is $332,837 lower than the $3.66 million bid i+icon submitted in October as one of five firms responding to the city’s revised RFP. Those bids ranged from $4.78 million to $3.45 million, and the commission then authorized Murphy to discuss contract terms with i+icon as the highest-ranked bidder.
Project engineer Jay Saxena, Mayor Dan Murphy and i+icon representatives Greg Thornton and Paul enjoyed a congratulatory moment after last week’s meeting. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
I+icon Operations Manager Paul Johnson and Project Manager Greg Thornton attended last week’s meeting, as did Jay Saxena from Ayres Associates, the city’s contracted pier engineering firm.
“This document marks a major milestone for the city. A lot of people have worked very hard and long to get to this point,” Murphy said when presenting the revised bid and contract for commission approval.
Cost savings
Murphy said the city could save $180,000 by using wooden support bents for the pier decking instead of the concrete bents originally planned.
Commissioner Brian Seymour asked Saxena if wood bents would reduce the new pier’s anticipated 75-year service life. Saxena said the first 63 bents from shore would be wood. The remaining walkway and T-end bents will be concrete and provide additional support where it’s most needed. The commission supported this change.
The commission also supported Murphy’s suggestion to spend $8,863 to purchase concrete pilings that are 14-inches in diameter and already cast to the correct length, rather than spending an additional $30,000 to splice together some of the 12-inch concrete pilings the city recently purchased directly to avoid paying sales tax and to ensure availability.
Murphy said Saxena and i+icon located the longer, larger pilings in the same storage yard where the previously purchased are being stored, and the city will receive a credit for 12-inch pilings returned. Murphy and Saxena noted the 14-inch pilings would support the T-end that is more vulnerable to high winds and waves.
Murphy told the commission i+icon recommended spending an additional $50,000 for IPE wood product pier decking instead of the Kebony wood product decking the commission majority approved in March. Murphy said the IPE product has a longer history of use than the newer Kebony decking. Commissioner Carol Carter noted that Seymour favored the IPE decking in March.
The revised total bid and cost savings document discussed last week lists an additional $181,700 in savings for pilings. Murphy explained later that this is for the pilings already purchased.
“There’s more savings to be had here,” he told the commission regarding the city’s continued ability to purchase construction materials directly to avoid the sales tax.
The final contracted price is approximately $800,000 lower than the original $4.13 bid i+icon submitted in August as one of two firms responding to the original RFP.
Carter commended Murphy, Saxena and i+icon for also reducing the original projected completion date of December 2019.
It’s the holiday season and time to concentrate on family, friends and good cheer for all. There’s also one more thing that starts working its way into the deeper recesses of our brains in December – taxes.
Last year’s substantial tax overhaul resulted in a lot of people being not too happy, especially property owners. Caps on mortgage interest and local and state property taxes have homeowners and investors holding their breath waiting to see what their 2018 tax returns are going to look like. However, one of the favorite tax breaks for investors was not touched and that’s the 1031 Exchanges.
A 1031 Exchange allows you to exchange or reinvest proceeds from your original property and defer the capital gains on the profits from the sale. The exchange only applies to properties held for business or investment, therefore, your personal and primary residence is not eligible for the benefits of the exchange.
Prior to the tax overhaul properties could be exchanged for like-kind properties, which included all real property including artwork and valuable collectibles. Now, however, that part of the law has been amended to allow for only real estate to be recognized as an exchange.
Although the 1031 Exchange benefits big investors, it also can be an advantage for small investors and second home and vacation homeowners who take the time to establish their property as a rental income producing property. It’s possible to trade up your vacation home to a larger one by converting your second home from personal to business use by renting it for a specific number of days for at least two consecutive years. This is a nice way to defer the capital gains on your vacation property, which typically does not qualify for a capital gains exemption since it’s not your primary home, while still giving you the ability to purchase a larger home for your family.
There are certain criteria you have to meet to qualify for the exchange. You have 45 days from the date of the sale of the old property to identify potential replacement properties. In addition, you must acquire the new property no later than 180 days after the sale. It sounds a little complicated, but individuals use this tax break successfully multiple times and just keep rolling over the capital gains into another property. This can also be used to preserve wealth invested in real estate, which is a little more complicated.
As with any tax questions and changes, you need a competent CPA and/or tax attorney to review your particular situation before undertaking this process. And remember, your primary home is not eligible for an exchange and is subject to and also benefits from a whole different set of IRS regulations. Certainly, I have no way of knowing if 1031 Exchanges are used for investment properties and second homes on Anna Maria Island, but my guess is that the Island and its ever-increasing property values is prime for one of the IRS’s most popular exemptions.
So, while you’re sipping the eggnog and wrapping gifts, start thinking about April 15. If you plan ahead, Santa may leave you a very substantial gift in your stocking in a couple of years. Now that’s what I call a stocking stuffer.
Privacy choicesWe use Google Analytics to understand readership and improve the website. Analytics cookies are optional and can be accepted or declined.Privacy Policy
