The Siesta Key Association is comprised of citizens, like yourself, who have a vested interest in preserving and protecting the quality of life offered by our beautiful Island. A Board of volunteer Directors, all of whom live or own property on Siesta Key, manages this non-profit Association. Our Board of Directors consists of 18 of your neighbors. We have a rich tradition of representing and pro-actively lobbying for the rights of the citizens of Siesta Key dating back 60 years. In today's environment of growth, hard economic times, and static property values, it is becoming ever more critical to have an active body that represents the interest of all residential property owners on Siesta Key.

At its annual meetings the Association reviews its accomplishments for the year, its goals for the future, and presents its committee chair reports. County officials may be invited to present current or pending Key issues. SKA sends newsletters and email to advise members of our programs and matters of interest. We maintain an active web site where you will find all pertinent information about our organization's monthly board minutes and the latest news, including a calendar of events affecting our Key and SKA issues pending with the county.

We must take care to assure that the ambiance and beauty that attracted us here in the first place are maintained. Keep abreast of events that will affect your Island. We all have a stake and your membership in SKA is the most effective venue we have for controlling the destiny of our Key.

In the past few years we have witnessed Sarasota County's tremendous development to its eastern and southern borders. With east and south Sarasota County as the main areas available for development, the County Government will increasingly focus its attention and resources to these areas.

Siesta Key occupies a total area of just 34.4 square miles, a mere 0.6% of Sarasota County's 587.3 square miles. Our year-round population (approximately 11,000) doubles in season. Even with our seasonal population, we represent less than 5% of the entire county population. However, Siesta Key contributes 10% of Sarasota County tax revenue. Proportionately, this revenue is not returned to us in “in kind” services. These facts become more than interesting statistics when you consider: there are 5 Sarasota County Commissioners; the Commissioner from District 4 represents Siesta Key and other mainland areas; all the voters in the County elect all 5 Commissioners — not just the voters in a particular district.

That's why an increase in our membership is so important. The greater our numbers, the greater the influence we can exert on issues directly impacting our district. Whenever an important issue involving Siesta Key comes before the County Commission (from a practical viewpoint), we are competing with the entire county. The greater SKA's membership, the greater the attention we can generate.

In 2001, SKA provided matching funds up to $10,000 to study feasibility and potential benefit of incorporation. A new independent citizens group was formed and incorporated in the summer of 2001 by a group of private citizens and community groups named "Siesta Key Committee for Community Representation, Inc." They continue to gather information to determine if it is fiscally and politically feasible to consider incorporation of Siesta Key. Incorporation of the Key would allow the residents to establish a "Government Lite" who would administer the Key and provide only those services specific to Siesta Key needs. All other services would continue to be supplied by the county as currently provided, or, in the case of additional services, under contracts with the county or other entities. If and when it is determined that this group intends to proceed with an incorporation plan for our Key, the SKA Board will vote on whether or not our organization will support the plan based on membership input.

Please take a moment to review a few of SKA's contributions over the past half-century of serving our community.

Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 4:30 P.M. in Room F at St. Boniface Church on Midnight Pass Road. You are always welcome. Should you wish to contact us, we have a 24-hour answering service. Just call 941-364-4880. Your call will be answered.

Please join SKA now! Your membership will be instrumental in helping to attain our goals!