BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners discussed an Aug. 28 letter sent to the three Island mayors from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton).
The state legislators’ letter requested updates from all three Island cities on their efforts to consolidate similar services provided to the public.
“Given the broader budget environment and the legislature’s continued emphasis on efficiency and accountability, we need a clearer understanding of where things stand before we move into the appropriations process in Tallahassee,” the letter stated.
Boyd and Robinson requested updates on the following items:
- Any steps taken since the OPPAGA study to explore shared services.
- Efforts to coordinate operations across the three cities to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
- How these priorities are reflected in your budgets and planning moving forward.
During the Sept. 4 city commission meeting, City Attorney Ricinda Perry said, “The large point that I think was made was to ask what have you done since the OPAAGA study to consolidate services? They wanted an accounting of that, and failure to do so would result in them not moving forward with appropriation requests from the municipalities.”
Perry drafted a letter in response to Boyd and Robinson’s request and read it to the mayor and commissioners.
The letter stated in part: “As Governor DeSantis has recognized, Bradenton Beach sustained the most severe damage in Manatee County, with nearly 95% percent of the city impacted. The work of rebuilding our community has been both overwhelming and unrelenting. To date, we are still having structures torn down, roads repaired, lights and electrical wiring reinstalled and replaced, as well as a significant amount of sand removal from all the stormwater repairs.”
Perry noted in the letter that Bradenton Beach sought opportunities to work collaboratively with the other Island cities, but following the hurricanes any trial consolidation of services presented significant challenges that proved impractical to sustain.
“When we worked with Holmes Beach and they came down and looked at the permits that were issued by the city’s building official, Mr. (Darin) Cushing, Holmes Beach would not put their license on the line and sign off on the inspections,” Perry said.
Perry’s letter stated Mayor John Chappie previously put together a list after talking with staff and consulting with the commission about what the city could do to consolidate services.
Perry said the list was submitted to OPAAGA, Robinson and Boyd, but the other cities could not get on the same page with the suggestions for consolidated services.
“There was discussion with Holmes Beach basically wanting to take over the police department,” Perry said. “There was request for our public works to do all the public works work. It never really went where it needed to go.”
Perry’s draft letter says, “We respect the autonomy of our fellow Island cities and recognize that consolidation cannot be successful without mutual interest and commitment. The city is focused on the arduous and costly task of recovery, ensuring that we emerge stronger and more resilient in the years ahead. We remain receptive to constructive discussions should circumstances change. In the meantime, we respectfully request that Bradenton Beach not be disadvantaged in the appropriations process or in consideration of a special act that would directly further our recovery from the two hurricanes and Tropical Storm Debby.”
Perry said the draft letter is a starting point.
“We have until Oct. 1 to respond, so if you would like to take some time, please do it,” Chappie said. “I like your letter. I think it covers the bases. We are wanting to work with everybody.”
