HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners support The Center of Anna Maria Island’s mini reef project, however, budgetary concerns have them hoping that residents will donate to purchase a reef instead of the city spending tax dollars.
Commissioners Kim Rash, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek voted to institute an adopt-a-reef program to help further the request of The Center’s Director of Development, Jim McDaniel, for 20 mini reefs.
The project would place the reefs in the waters around Anna Maria Island, primarily underneath city-owned docks, at a cost of $7,300. After hearing from McDaniel, commissioners discussed the prospect of buying the requested reefs. While they said they consider the project a worthwhile endeavor to help clean the waters around the Island, with the budget constraints the city is already facing in the coming fiscal year, they didn’t feel that the added expense was one they could bear.
After consulting with City Treasurer Lori Hill, commissioners discovered that they couldn’t use funds donated by the estate of Billie Martini for the purchase, and decided that they also couldn’t in good conscience use taxpayer ad valorem funds, which are forecast to be less than what the city needs in the coming fiscal year. The adopt-a-reef program was a compromise, putting the approval of Holmes Beach city leaders behind the project without committing any city funds.
Under the adopt-a-reef program, Holmes Beach residents, business owners and other community members are encouraged to adopt one of the reefs, to be placed in approved spots underneath city-owned docks. The reefs are $365 each to purchase, which includes the reef and installation by Ocean Habitats as well as a donation to The Center.
Mayor Judy Titsworth said that while she appreciates what The Center is trying to do for the community and its waters with the mini reef project, she’s more in favor of seeding clams or scallops which leaves no unnatural products in the water and also works to clear the water of contaminants. She also expressed concern that installing the reefs underneath the city-owned T-end docks might dissuade people from wanting to rent the docks for their boats. She also worried that the floating mini reefs might rub up against boats.
Commissioner Pat Morton agreed that he would prefer a natural solution to local water issues instead of supporting the reef project. Commissioner Kim Rash said that while he supports a natural approach, he also supports what The Center is doing and that they have a solution being implemented now. Commissioner Jim Kihm said that he shared some of the mayor’s reservations, particularly when there are other options available.
To donate to The Center’s reef project, visit the website or contact the nonprofit at 941-778-1908.
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