THE SALE OF WARM MINERAL SPRINGS TO THE PUBLIC IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY. THE SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF NORTH PORT TO JOINTLY BUY THE 81 ACRE ATTRACTION. TERMS OF THE PURCHASE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED EARLIER, AND ALONG WITH WEDNESDAY’S VOTE, THE NEXT STEP TAKES PLACE MONDAY WHICH WILL MAKE THE SALE OFFICIAL. THE COUNTY WILL PAY HALF OF THE 5.5 MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG WHICH WAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE SPRINGS OWNER, CYPRESS LENDING GROUP OF NAPLES. THE MONEY COMES FROM A VOTER-APPROVED PROPERTY TAX FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS. THE NORTH PORT CITY COMMISSION WILL BE USING A ONE PERCENT SALES TAX REVENUE TO PAY FOR ITS HALF OF THE COST. THE FINAL CLOSING IS EXPECTED ON JAN 14 OF NEXT YEAR.
