Posted on March 4, 2026
By Alyssa Perry
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. (WWSB) – Longboat Key leaders are proposing a $9 million dredging program to restore the town’s canals, which have not been maintained in more than 20 years. The project would bring canal depths back to 5 feet, but a debate over who should pay is dividing residents.
Under the current proposal, canal-front homeowners would cover 80 percent of the cost.
The remaining 20 percent would be paid by non-canal properties through taxes and fees. Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps said the 80/20 split was modeled after an existing beach program.
“That’s kind of why we are on the 80/20 — originally it was the commission and they think 80/20 is reasonable, but they also thought it was familiar because of the beach program,” Mopps said.
If approved, work could begin in June. Mopps said the timeline for each canal would vary.
