Sticker shock over a public beach. Improvements for Siesta Key Beach that were once budgeted at around eight million dollars have now jumped to 24-million and there’s no firm plan on how to pay for it all. The idea was to add amenities like extra parking and an observation deck to the beach, which has earned the “Number One Beach In America” title. Now, though, Sarasota County Commissioners are mulling a new set of estimates that could nearly triple the original price tag. Commissioners say they need a lot more detail before looking for funding for the project.
