HOLMES BEACH – The city of Holmes Beach celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025 and the Dec. 5 celebration at City Field was symbolic of the city’s return from the back-to-back hurricanes that struck Anna Maria Island in 2024.
The anniversary celebration occurred on the recently resodded City Field that one year ago contained a massive mound of hurricane debris while serving as the city’s hurricane debris management site.
The anniversary celebration was preceded earlier in the year with Mayor Judy Titsworth unveiling the new sea turtle-themed city flag that now flies over city hall. The city also produced smaller versions of the new flag and similarly designed T-shirts and hats that also feature the sea turtle logo.
Post-hurricane permitting
During each city commission meeting and planning commission meeting in 2025, Development Services Director Chad Minor provided a post-hurricane permitting update that dated back to Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
On Dec. 16, Minor said the city, to date, had issued 3,764 post-hurricane permits and 79 demolition permits. He said 75 homes had been demolished and the city had issued 19 permits for new replacement homes. Minor said the city conducted 9,768 post-hurricane plan reviews and completed nearly 13,000 inspections. He also said there were currently 1,660 active, registered vacation rentals in Holmes Beach.
Gloria Dei property
On Jan. 18, a “Holy Closure” service was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, marking the end of its time as an active church and local congregation.
In late June, Taylor Rahdert, the real estate agent representing the property owners, informed Minor that the Florida Bahamas Synod Council declined the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the three-parcel church property for public use. The church building and property remain on the market with a $9 million asking price.
Speed control
In August, the recently installed automated speed cameras were activated near the Anna Maria Elementary school and dozens of warnings and citations were issued to drivers who failed to obey the 15-mph speed limit during the morning and afternoon hours when the students are arriving and departing.
On Oct. 31, two previously debated speed tables were installed along the 500 block of Key Royale Drive. Some 500 block residents supported the new speed tables and some Key Royale residents who live on the other side of the Key Royale Bridge opposed them.
Millage, stormwater rates
In July, the city commission voted 3-2 in favor of setting the maximum property tax millage rate at 2.1812 mills rather than maintaining the current 1.99 millage rate. In September, the commission changed course and voted in favor of maintaining the 1.99 rate for another year.
During the same July budget meeting, the commission voted 3-2 in opposition to increasing the annual stormwater fee levied on Holmes Beach property owners from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 per 100 square feet and the $2.95 rate was maintained for another year.
Comings and goings
In February, longtime city commissioner Pat Morton announced his resignation, citing social media criticism of the city’s hurricane response as the primary reason. Later that month, the commission unanimously appointed planning commissioner Steve Oelke to fill the remaining months of Morton’s two-year term.
In the city election that concluded Nov. 4, Oelfke was the leading vote-getter in the election that resulted in first-time candidate Jessica Patel being elected and longtime commissioner Carol Soustek not being reelected.
In October, Public Works Director and City Engineer Sage Kamiya announced he had accepted an offer to serve as the city of Sarasota’s new city engineer. In December, Mayor Judy Titsworth announced Herb Raybourn, a stormwater consultant for the city, would serve as the city’s next public works director and city engineer.
In December, longtime City Clerk Stacey Johnston informed the mayor that she would be retiring in March.
On Dec. 16, City Attorney Erica Augello participated in her final meeting as the Holmes Beach city attorney and the commission supported the mayor’s appointment of Randy Mora to serve as Augello’s successor. Augello will continue to represent the city in code compliance matters and she’s also currently serving as the interim city attorney for the city of Bradenton Beach – an assignment that may become permanent in 2026.
In November, the Rod & Reel restaurant opened in Holmes Beach as an extension of the Rod & Reel Pier and restaurant in Anna Maria that was destroyed by the 2024 hurricanes. Owner Oliver Lemke hopes to one day rebuild and reopen the pier and restaurant in Anna Maria.
Solo’s Pizza closed in late November, Cheesecake Cutie closed in December and the True Value hardware store changed ownership in 2025.
