ANNA MARIA – Craig Greene is no longer serving as Anna Maria’s contracted building official.
Toward the end of the Sept. 11 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Mayor Mark Short briefly addressed Greene’s departure.
“That particular building official, as of yesterday, is no longer representing the city of Anna Maria,” Short said after first mentioning comments made by Anna Maria homeowner Jamie Walstad during public comment at the beginning of the meeting.
The mayor didn’t provide any additional details as to who will serve as Anna Maria’s building official moving forward.
Greene’s services were provided through the city’s agreement with Joe Payne Inc. (JPI), the firm that serves as Anna Maria’s contracted building department and also provides the city’s floodplain manager, plan reviewers and permit technicians.
When addressing the commission, Walstad read aloud remarks she prepared in advance. She began by saying the home she shares with her husband sustained flood damage during Hurricane Helene and they were fortunate to have Kevin Hutchison serving as their contractor.
“Craig Greene sent a letter to Kevin and his subcontractors stating we had exceeded the 50% rule and defrauded FEMA. Kevin immediately contacted Greene and the mayor. Then, to add insult to injury, Kevin received an email that our permit was expired,” Walstad said.
“Our name and address was put into the record, wrongfully stating allegations of FEMA fraud. It made us feel that our good name has been besmirched in front of the community we love. At no time were we ever contacted. We received no apology. The stress of possibly being a subject of FEMA fraud has been horrible. This situation made us feel like criminals and we are concerned that FEMA may reject our policy in the future,” Walstad said.
When addressing Greene’s dismissal at the end of the meeting, Short said he was surprised to hear that Greene did not apologize to the Walstads directly because he saw the apology email Greene sent to Hutchinson.
“I did not realize the owner was not on that particular email,” Short said.
During the Holmes Beach City Commission meeting earlier that day, Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “We have currently been doing some inspections for the city of Anna Maria to assist them and their building department needs.”
She later told The Sun that Holmes Beach would continue assisting Anna Maria with their building department needs if asked to do so.
Builders’ concerns
During the Aug. 14 city commission meeting, Mason Martin Builders and Agnelli Pools & Construction owner Frank Agnelli and Gagne Construction owner Dan Gagne expressed their displeasure and frustration with Greene and Joe Payne Inc. Agnelli called for them to be replaced with a fulltime, in-house building department staffed by city employees. During the Aug. 28 meeting, Agnelli, Hutchinson and MuniPlan owner and consultant Monica Simpson expressed similar views.
On Sept. 10, Simpson sent a letter to several builders regarding Greene’s dismissal.
“The city of Anna Maria has released Craig Greene from his duties as building official. The city is going to work diligently, but mindfully, to find a suitable replacement. As this is being done, please proceed with patience with the city regarding this effort and the transition. The city does not want to rush and make a hasty decision and we all want someone who will serve everyone well in the all-important position,” Simpson wrote.
In a separate email sent to The Sun, she wrote, “I am grateful the mayor took the time to look at the issues raised by the community. I am optimistic a qualified individual will be named who can help ensure the highest level of service for property owners, contractors, designers and all the other individuals who work in the industry. The city of Anna Maria deserves it.”
When speaking to The Sun that evening, Agnelli said, “I think this change is going to be good for all the builders and citizens of Anna Maria. Hopefully, they replace him with somebody that wants to work with the builders, interpret the codes correctly and not put his own opinion into everything he interprets,” Agnelli said.
Regarding the mayor’s response to the builders’ concerns, Agnelli said, “It speaks volumes that they’re listening to us. We want to work with the city, not fight with the city on everything we do.”
JPI agreement
Anna Maria’s current agreement with Joe Payne Inc. commenced on Feb. 3 and is scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, with the city having the option to execute up to four one-year renewals.
“The city reserves the right to terminate this agreement at any time provided the city gives JPI 30 days’ notice of such termination,” the contract says.
The agreement states that on average, the designated building official is to spend six to eight hours at city hall at least one day per week, with the remaining building department services provided remotely.
As compensation, JPI receives 50% of the building permit application fees generated each month and is guaranteed a monthly minimum of $35,000 if the permit fees don’t reach that monthly threshold.
The one-page 2025-26 fiscal year budget summary included in the Sept. 11 meeting packet lists $1.19 million for total anticipated planning and development revenues and matching expenses. The budget summary does not specify how much of the $1.19 million the city anticipates paying Joe Payne Inc.
