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Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Aug. 28, the three Anna Maria Island mayors received an OPPAGA-related letter from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton).

Addressed to Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, the two-page letter references the 25-page Office of Program Policy Analysis and Govern­ment Accountability (OPPAGA) study referred to locally as the “consolidation study.”

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter
State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. – Submitted

The letter begins by saying, “Over the past year, we’ve all worked through tremendous challenges as our communities continue recovering from the impacts of recent storms. We remain grateful for your leader­ship and for the dedication you’ve shown to your residents and businesses during these difficult times.

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter
State Sen. Jim Boyd . – Submitted

“As we prepare for the 2026 Legislative Session, we want to follow up on our previous correspondence concerning the OPPAGA study and the discus­sions we initiated last year about streamlining services and improv­ing efficiencies among the three Island cities. We recognize that recovery efforts have demanded much of your attention, but these conversations remain critical for the residents and taxpayers of Anna Maria Island.”

OPPAGA study

On Jan. 9, the Island mayors and city commissioners were provided with copies of the 25-page OPPAGA study completed at the request of Robinson, Boyd and the other state legislators that make up the Manatee County Legislative Delegation.

The OPPAGA study analyzed four “Options for Restructuring Local Governance” but did not recommend a specific consolida­tion option to pursue. The four consolidation options were:

  • “Leave Anna Maria Island structure as is;”
  • “Combine the existing three cities on Anna Maria Island into one new city;”
  • “Include the Island as part of unincorporated Manatee County;” and
  • “Combine the three existing cities on Anna Maria Island with the city of Bradenton.”

The study also analyzed “Op­tions for Streamlining Services” that might include consolidating some of the public services cur­rently provided independently by all three Island cities, including law enforcement, public works, building departments and permit­ting services.

The completed OPPAGA study was accompanied by a two-page letter Robinson and Boyd sent the three Island mayors on Jan. 9.

Regarding the potential consolidation-related elimination of the existing height restrictions currently set forth in the Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city charters (which can only be changed by the registered voters in those cit­ies), the January Robinson-Boyd letter said, “Merging or eliminat­ing cities could negatively impact the unique and special character of the Island and could have a detrimental impact on issues like building height.”

Instead of seeking the con­solidation of the three cities, the legislator’s January letter urged city officials in all three cities to identify services that could be consolidated and streamlined in hopes of reducing property taxes for Anna Maria Island property owners.

August letter

Revisiting the consolidation of services, the Aug. 28 letter says, “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. Specifically, we would appreciate an update on:

“1. Any steps taken since the OPPAGA study to explore shared services or cost-saving measures.

“2. Efforts to coordinate opera­tions across the three cities to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

“3. How these priorities are reflected in your budgets and planning moving forward.

“As you know, the upcoming session will involve many com­peting priorities for state funding. While we remain committed to supporting Anna Maria Island and its recovery, we need to understand what progress has been made at the local level to ensure we are working toward the same goals.

“We respectfully request that you provide us with an update by October 1st, 2025, so we can consider these matters as we enter the appropriations process. We value your partnership and remain committed to preserving the unique character of Anna Maria Island while ensuring the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

“Thank you for your continued leadership and service. We look forward to your timely response,” the letter signed by Robinson and Boyd says in conclusion.

The Manatee County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting on Monday, Oct. 27 in the Bradenton City Commission chambers at 101 Old Main St. W. in downtown Bradenton from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The meeting is open to the public and provides the delegation members an opportunity to discuss their legislative intentions for the Florida Legislature’s 2026 legislative session.

Letter to the Editor: Thanks for protecting AMI

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

As homeowners in Holmes Beach for 25 years this very month, we write to congratulate and thank those who led our city successfully through the stressful process culminating in the OPPAGA study.

The attacks on “home rule,” including the threat of a parking garage, were led ironically by elected Republican Party representatives with minimal to no appreciation for the special character of our Island. So, we are heartened to read now that current elected officials have come to understand and support BOTH the distinctiveness of our three small cities AND to urge proactive, constructive cooperation and – when appropriate – consolidation to benefit residents. It is important we recognize such efforts were and are underway, as we hope also there will be a review of targeted additional parking spaces near our precious beaches.

Our special thanks to Mayor Judy Titsworth, someone with a long-time investment in our city and Island’s welfare, who was unwavering in her leadership. Also, to Terry Schaefer and his fellow commissioners, for being voices of reason as well as passionate advocates for their fellow citizens. To Barbara Ehren and others who organized grassroots protests and to Sean Murphy, whose community-mindedness, hospitality and humor are always so welcome… and fun. And finally, to the staff of The Sun, for extensive coverage of the news and the back stories throughout this period.

 

Helen and Tom Flynn

Holmes Beach

Holmes Beach officials critique consolidation study

Holmes Beach officials critique consolidation study

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – The mayor and city commissioners had plenty to say about the recently released OPPAGA consolida­tion study and former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

The 25-page consolidation study report compiled by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Govern­ment Accountability was provided to the Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach mayors on Jan. 8.

The report was accompanied by a two-page letter dated Jan. 9 and signed by State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and State Sen. Jim Boyd – the state legislators who led the Manatee County Legislative Delegation’s pursuit of the consolidation study formally requested in January 2023.

The letter includes a statement that sug­gests that consolidation of the three Island cities is no longer a viable consideration: “The OPPAGA study confirms what we have discussed over the past year. Merging or eliminating cities could negatively impact the unique and special character of the Island and could have a detrimental impact on issues like building height.”

The OPPAGA study analyzed four potential consolidation options and the pros and cons of each option. The report included no recommendations or findings as to which consolidation option should be pursued. The report also contains detailed information about each city’s finances, public services provided, decreasing permanent resident population and more.

The state legislators’ consolidation study request partially stemmed from a beach parking dispute between Holmes Beach city officials and Van Ostenbridge and his desire to build a three-story parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach.

Having lost his at-large District 7 election bid in November 2024, Van Ostenbridge is no longer a county commissioner. Tal Sid­dique now represents Anna Maria Island as the county’s District 3 commissioner.

Holmes Beach officials critique consolidation study
Commissioner Terry Schaefer expressed his disappointment with the state legislators who requested the consolidation study. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

City Commissioner Terry Schaefer was the first to mention the OPPAGA study during the commission’s Jan. 14 meeting.

“I thought it was unfortunate that leader­ship on the delegation did not mention the conclusion of the report in their cover letter to our three mayors indicating there will be no consolidation. I thought the public deserved to hear their recommendation would not include any consolidation efforts,” he said.

Commissioner Carol Whitmore opposes the consolidation of the cities but she sees some value in the completed study.

“I loved the data, the information. It gave me a good picture of what the other two cities are doing, how much population we’ve lost and the other options,” she said.

Schaefer agreed the study provides some useful information but the conclu­sion to not consolidate the Island cities was something city officials and Island residents knew and supported all along.

“In this case, facts prevailed and we can now focus on the betterment of our city and our Island in general,” Schaefer said.

Commission Chair Dan Diggins suc­cinctly said, “Hopefully, we can just turn the OPPAGA page.”

Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I sleep better at night. We all know what was really behind the OPPAGA study. This was wrong, but the commissioner (Van Ostenbridge) was probably the worst district representative we’ve had in the history of our city. He was vengeful and thank God he’s gone. We are so lucky to have someone like Tal. We couldn’t ask for a nicer, more committed representative for our city.”

Titsworth also noted there’s not enough support among current county commis­sioners to continue the pursuit of the now-defunded parking garage.

“I’m so glad that’s behind us as well,” she said.

When the OPPAGA study came up again later in the meeting, Titsworth said, “Everything’s positive from here on out. I believe they’re going to quit picking on us.”

She then thanked the city officials, residents and community members who opposed consolidation and the parking garage.

Whitmore said she served with one of Van Ostenbridge’s uncles many years ago, during her previous tenure as a city commissioner.

“KVO is not the Van Ostenbridge family that I know,” she said.

She also served on the county commis­sion with Van Ostenbridge.

“I will never forgive that man for what he did to all of us,” she said.

Holmes Beach officials critique consolidation study
Commissioner Carol Soustek mentioned the concern and uncertainty the study created for city employees. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Commissioner Carol Soustek said, “The people who initiated this OPPAGA study did not take into account the effect it had on so many people’s personal lives. All the city employees were upset. They thought they were going to lose their jobs. It was unnecessary, vindictive and I was very disappointed in the elected leaders.”

Soustek applauded the stand taken by Titsworth and the Holmes Beach commis­sion. She also thanked Hands Across the Sand director and consolidation protest organizer Barbara Ehren and all those who opposed the consolidation of the Island cities.

“I’m very happy to see the results, but it’s exactly what the mayor was saying all along,” Soustek said. “It was a degrading thing to go through for the cities when they had so many other things they needed to do. It put a black mark on the judgment of Tallahassee (state legislators). I was very disappointed,” she said.

Related coverage: Island mayors receive OPPAGA consolidation report

Mayors discuss law enforcement consolidation

Mayors discuss law enforcement consolidation

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth are not on the same page when it comes to the potential consolidation of law enforcement services, with each mayor preferring their city’s law enforcement agency take over policing in both cities.

As is the case in most cities, law enforcement on Anna Maria Island is the most expensive public service provided to residents, visitors and businesses. With the looming threat of state-imposed consolidation facing the three Island cities, the three Island mayors continue to look for cost-cutting measures that would save taxpayers’ dollars and potentially appease state legislators who requested the consolidation study being conducted by the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA).

Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach have their own police depart ments and police chiefs. Anna Maria does not, and instead contracts law enforcement services from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Led by Sgt. Brett Getman, with additional supervision provided by Lt. John Belt, the MCSO Anna Maria Unit is headquartered in the former city annex building on Pine Avenue.

On April 23, Titsworth met with State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. to discuss consolidation and the concerns associated with that state-imposed scenario. Titsworth then told The Sun that she and Police Chief Bill Tokajer were in preliminary talks with Murphy about the Holmes Beach Police Department taking over law enforcement in Anna Maria.

Titsworth told The Sun the two cities would research the financial numbers associated with the potential consolidation of law enforcement services, and also the potential drafting of an interlocal agreement between the two cities.

Mayors discuss law enforcement consolidation
Mayor Dan Murphy supports the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office providing primary law enforcement services to all three Island cities. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy addressed then these matters during the May 9 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

“The article said Mayor Titsworth and I were working together on looking at having Holmes Beach provide police services for the city of Anna Maria and that we were preparing an interlocal agreement to do just that. That’s not the case,” Murphy said.

“Mayor Titsworth and I had a phone conversation shortly after she met with Representative Robinson. I said the elephant in the room is public safety. We’re operating with three separate police forces,” Murphy said.

Murphy noted Anna Maria is paying $1.3 million for contracted MCSO law enforcement services for the current 2023-24 fiscal year, the lowest of the three Island cities.

For the current fiscal year, Holmes Beach budgeted $4.63 million for its police department and Bradenton Beach budgeted $1.77 million. Combined, the three cities budgeted $7.7 million for law enforcement.

“If you really wanted to save the taxpayers’ money, which has always been the caveat in consolidating, that’s what should be looked at,” Murphy said.

Murphy said Titsworth did tell him that she would look into Holmes Beach providing police services to Anna Maria, but he favors a different approach – eliminating the Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach police departments and contracting the sheriff’s office to provide Island-wide law enforcement services.

“I’m very pleased with the services the sheriff is providing us. We have far more scope of services with the sheriff’s department than we could ever have with an Island-wide police force,” Murphy said, noting the sheriff’s office has a helicopter, K-9 officers, detectives, marine patrol officers and more.

“The array of services are almost endless from a public safety standpoint and they’re economical. To me, that would be significant savings,” Murphy said.

When contacted by The Sun the following day, Titsworth confirmed that she and Murphy discussed the two cities sharing a police force.

She then noted Holmes Beach has mutual aid agreements with the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement agencies in Manatee County regarding the sharing of technology, equipment and services. She also said the sheriff’s office provides Holmes Beach with additional assistance during high-volume holiday weekends.

Related coverage

 

Mayor, state legislator discuss consolidation

 

Holmes Beach logo

Commissioners address consolidation

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners again discussed their concern about a move by the state Legislature to eliminate the three Anna Maria Island cities, consolidating them into one city, into the city of Bradenton or into Manatee County.

During an April 9 meeting, Commissioner Terry Schaefer addressed the elephant in the room, stating that he and other city leaders believe that the ongoing Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) study is likely to recommend elimination of the cities and place Anna Maria Island under the control of Manatee County commissioners. He said the study is due to be completed by the end of July.

City Attorney Erica Augello said that the report will be sent to the legislators who requested it but otherwise, the results of the study may never be seen by anyone else. State leaders are under no obligation to release the study or its results to any other officials or the public.

Schaefer said the members of the Manatee County state legislative delegation, particularly Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and Sen. Jim Boyd, requested the report.

At the same meeting, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer said the average response time for his officers is two minutes. The department has its own dispatcher, meaning that only calls to 911 have to go through the county’s dispatchers, saving response time for callers directly to the police department. Schaefer said that one adverse effect of the elimination of the cities would be that all emergency calls would need to go through the county and be answered by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, exponentially increasing response time and potentially creating a public safety issue.

“That’s just one example of a potential issue that can arise for our residents,” he said.

Schaefer also noted that city leaders cannot put a referendum on the ballot to vote against consolidation or elimination of the cities, but local voters can. He said that he encourages members of the voting public who are against consolidation or elimination to consider creating a ballot referendum.

If a referendum is created, it could be the only chance voters have to make their voices heard on the matter. State legislators can force the cities into consolidation by creating and voting on a bill. As long as it’s approved by the governor, the bill would become law without any input from the local governments, community members or voters.

Anna Maria responds to county consolidation option

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria has responded to a March 5 request for information from OPPAGA regarding the potential consolidation and annexation of the city into Manatee County.

The cities of Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach received similar requests from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability that conducts research for the Florida Legislature.

Last year, OPPAGA initiated a consolidation study at the request of Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and the other state legislators who are members of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation.

OPPAGA’s Island consolidation study originally included three possible options: Consolidating the three Island cities into one new city, consolidating and annexing all three cities into the city of Braden­ton or not consolidating the cities but consolidating similar services provided by each Island city.

In November, the three cities submitted separate written re­sponses to OPPAGA that addressed the benefits and challenges of each consolidation scenario.

On March 15, the city of Anna Maria submitted a written response to OPPAGA that addresses the additional option of consolidating Anna Maria into Manatee County and placing it under the control of the county and the Manatee County Commission.

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES

Regarding the benefits of the county consolidation option, the city response notes the city prop­erty taxes currently levied at a 2.05 millage rate would be eliminated. County consolidation would also eliminate the need for city-funded public works departments, building departments and law enforcement agencies.

Regarding the challenges posed by county consolidation, the Anna Maria response notes there would be an increased financial and administrative placed burden on the county, which last year only provided the city with $15,000 as part of the city’s $11.4 million annual budget.

County consolidation would result in the county assuming own­ership and responsibility for the roads, the stormwater and drainage system and other infrastructure elements currently funded by the city and its taxpayers. The county would assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities associated with the city-owned City Pier and the city-owned property that provides rent-free space for The Center of Anna Maria Island.

The Anna Maria response claims county consolidation would result in the loss of existing environmen­tal safeguards and the loss of the diversity and atmosphere the three distinctly different Island cities currently provide.

“This is what makes Anna Maria Island unique from any other bar­rier island in the state of Florida,” the response notes.

The response also notes the county consolidation option would result in the elimination of each of the three cities’ city charters and comprehensive plans – docu­ments that currently limit building heights to three stories Island-wide.

“Loss of these plans has the potential to create a huge negative impact on the entire Island com­munity,” the response notes.

The city response also notes consolidation would result in job losses for those currently employed by the city.

The response states many Anna Maria property owners, an­nual visitors, tourists and elected officials oppose consolidation and forced consolidation would be likely be met with strong and costly legal opposition.

Holmes Beach logo

Mayor responds to OPPAGA study changes

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth is reacting to the state’s decision to include a fourth option in the ongoing Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability study – eliminating the three Anna Maria Island cities and folding the Island into unincorporated Manatee County.

“It’s concerning that none of the mayors were told this was an option,” Titsworth said. “That’s concerning, why there’s no dialogue between us and our state representatives who represent us. Our citizens want to be informed so it’s important that we continue to make ourselves available.”

In an effort to help keep the public informed about the ongoing study, which is expected to conclude in late summer/early fall, Titsworth said the city has purchased the domain saveannamariaisland.com and is in the process of building a website containing facts on the three Island cities and the study as well as information for residents and concerned members of the public who want to reach out to their state representatives. Though consolidation of the three Island cities isn’t up for discussion during the current state legislative session, it’s expected that it will be addressed in 2024. Titsworth says if that happens, she fears an approval for consolidation could go through at the state level quickly and without the input of Island residents similar to the bill to construct a parking garage at Manatee Beach that was approved in 2023 without resident input and against local building regulations. She said she urges everyone who has an opinion on the potential for consolidation to reach out to their state representatives now rather than wait for it to be brought up in bill form for consideration at the state level.

The option joins three other considerations including allowing the three cities to remain as-is, consolidating the cities into one new city or eliminating the three city governments and folding the Island into the city of Bradenton.

The ongoing study, conducted by the state of Florida, is the result of a request from the five-member Manatee County Legislative Delegation and is not being done at the request of the three Island mayors. While the mayors said they would support the study insofar as it looks at potential ways for the three cities to share costs and reduce the burden on taxpayers, they’re not in favor of consolidation. Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown previously stated that he also has no interest in consolidating Anna Maria Island into his city.

If the Anna Maria Island cities are forced into consolidation or elimination by the state, Titsworth said there’s nothing protecting any other Florida municipality from suffering the same fate, including other Manatee County cities.

“If you get on the wrong side of state leaders, it’s no

McMullen, Morgan participate in candidate forum

McMullen, Morgan participate in candidate forum

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – City Commission applicants Gary McMullen and Kathleen Morgan participated in a candidate forum at city hall on Jan. 11.

McMullen and Morgan hope to be appointed to fill the two vacant seats on the Anna Maria Commission.

With Mayor Dan Murphy serving as moderator and city commissioners Jon Crane, Charlie Salem and Mark Short in attendance, McMullen and Morgan answered all 30 questions provided in advance and an ad­ditional audience question posed during the forum. The candidates took turns answering five questions at a time and alternating who answered first.

The two candidates hold similar views on most of the issues. Both displayed a strong knowledge of the issues and neither has ever served before as an elected government official.

The candidates

McMullen spent much of his life living in Anna Maria at least part-time and has lived in Anna Maria full-time for about 15 years.

Morgan bought her first Anna Maria Island home in 2000. She and her husband, David Johnson, bought their current home in Anna Maria in 2006.

McMullen retired after a career with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that included office management.

Morgan works part-time as a legal assistant for her husband’s Sarasota-based law firm. She also holds a real estate broker’s license. For 24 years, she owned and operated a retail/wholesale business in New York.

As for why he wants to serve, McMullen said, “I want to improve the quality of life for the residents and make this a better place to live.”

Morgan said, “I would like to serve as a commissioner to help make positive changes and reinforce current policies that reflect our city’s heritage. Anna Maria is a beautiful place to live and I am committed to improving it.”

Regarding the skill sets they’d bring to the commission, Morgan said, “I have an ability to bring people together in a cooperative fashion. I am a person that people respect and trust. I’m an effective communicator, a good follower and a good leader when needed. If appointed, I will work collaboratively with others.”

McMullen cited his historical perspective, managerial experience and the knowledge of government operations he acquired while working in and with governments at the city, county, state and federal levels.

“I know how government operations work,” he said.

Regarding community service, McMullen said he currently serves as the vice-chair of the city’s Historic Preservation Board and was one of Anna Maria’s first code enforcement and parking officers. Morgan serves as president of the Anna Maria Island Garden Club and as a board member and secretary for The Center of Anna Maria Island’s board of directors.

Neither candidate owns a business or vacation rental property in Anna Maria.

The issues

McMullen said that “Keeping our residential base” is the most important issue facing the city in 2024.

Morgan agreed that residents are the most important component of the community and she supports Commis­sioner Charlie Salem’s desire to conduct a feasibility study to help determine what more can be done to incentivize permanent residents.

Morgan views the ongoing OPPAGA consolidation study and the potential consolidation of the three Island cities as the biggest challenge facing the city in 2024.

“I am only for consolidation of services,” she said. “I am also concerned that we only get charged for our portion of the service and not an equal share of the total charge.”

Regarding consolidation, McMullen said, “I’m against it. We would have negligible savings if we consolidated services and I’m not for consolidating the cities.”

McMullen and Morgan both oppose the proposed county parking garage in Holmes Beach.

McMullen, Morgan participate in candidate forum
Gary McMullen believes the retention of permanent residents is the most important issue facing the city in 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

McMullen is also concerned about pedestrian and bicyclist safety, particularly on Pine Avenue.

“I see people walking on the streets, I see bicycles on the streets and people coming out between the cars. I don’t believe it’s safe,” he said.

McMullen and Morgan both support the still pending Reimagining Pine Avenue safety improvement project that includes Magnolia and Spring avenues. McMullen supports eliminating the parallel parking spaces along Pine Avenue and installing sidewalks and bike lanes along both sides of the street. Morgan supports eliminating the parallel parking spaces along one side of Pine Avenue and replacing them with a multi-use path.

McMullen said the opening of the Mote Marine Science Education and Outreach Center on the City Pier was the commis­sion’s most significant accomplishment in 2023.

McMullen, Morgan participate in candidate forum
Kathleen Morgan sees the OPPAGA consolidation study as the biggest issue facing the city in 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Morgan cited the opening of the Mote facility, planning for the Pine Avenue project and the city-spon­sored events and celebrations that take place at City Pier Park and said, “Perhaps the best thing was reaching a cooperative yet united front against those who desire to consolidate the Island’s three governments and build a parking garage.”

If appointed, McMullen said his top three priorities would be making Pine Avenue safer, retaining full-time residents and expanding the Gulf Islands Ferry operations to better serve Island employees, including a Holmes Beach ferry stop if possible.

Morgan cited vacation rental regulation, street paving, stormwater/drainage improvements and the Pine Avenue safety improvements as ongoing top priorities and she’d also like to see more sidewalks and bike paths installed throughout the city.

If he could initiate one city project, McMullen would extend to Pine Avenue the multi-use trail along Gulf Drive that currently ends at Willow Avenue. Morgan again mentioned installing more sidewalks.

Both candidates support strong enforcement of the city’s vacation rental and noise ordinances.

Both candidates support maintain­ing the city’s 2.05 millage rate for the collection of property taxes and McMullen would like to see the millage rate reduced as property values and property taxes continue to increase.

Both candidates support allowing leashed dogs in City Pier Park, but not during city-sponsored special events.

The appointments

On Jan. 25, the three sitting commission­ers will rank the two candidates in order of their personal preference. A commis­sioner’s first choice will receive a ranking of 1 and his second choice will receive a ranking of 2. The candidate with the lowest total score will be appointed to serve the longer term that expires in 2025. The candidate with the second-lowest score will be appointed to serve the term that expires in December. A candidate that receives at least two zero rankings will no longer be considered a candidate.

Holmes Beach logo

OPPAGA study wraps first month

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – In her state of the city address, Mayor Judy Titsworth noted that it’s been one month since the state-mandated Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) study began.

The main purpose of the study is to determine if the three Island cities should be consolidated into one city, into the city of Bradenton, into Manatee County or remain as three municipalities.

The idea was first broached by members of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation during a January meeting where the study request was passed unanimously without notification to or input from any of the three Anna Maria Island cities the study is slated to scrutinize.

While leaders in all three cities said they would support the study looking at ways the cities could share resources to save taxpayer money, they are against consolidation of any kind.

After city leaders were given several months to discuss consolidation of services among themselves, state Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) came back in the fall with a letter stating they would be moving forward with the OPPAGA study.

During a Dec. 12 meeting, Holmes Beach Commissioner Dan Diggins said he’d spoken with Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown with one of the topics being the OPPAGA study. When asked, Diggins said that Brown has no interest in annexing the Island into his city.

Titsworth said that while the first wave of records requests from the city are over, she expects more in the coming months before the study concludes in 2024 and thanked staff for their hard work to manage the large number of document requests while also attending to their normal duties.

Later in the meeting, Holmes Beach City Attorney Erica Augello said that while the city can’t initiate a referendum to put consolidation of the three cities on the ballot in November, it doesn’t mean that residents can’t. According to the Florida Department of Elections, in order to have a referendum put on the ballot for voter consideration, at least 8% of the city’s voters who voted in the last presidential election must sign a petition to approve the placement of the referendum on the general election ballot and the action must be financially supported by the residents.

Having a referendum to see how many registered Holmes Beach voters are in favor of or against consolidation could potentially override the state if legislators push for consolidation, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Anna Maria responds to OPPAGA request

Anna Maria responds to OPPAGA request

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria submitted a 19-page response to the consolidation study-related request for information letter received from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) in mid-November.

Sent to all three Anna Maria Island cities, and seeking separate responses from each city, OPPAGA requested written responses to the Island-wide consolidation study initiated earlier this year by state legislators Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and the rest of the five-member Manatee County legislative delegation.

The state legislators requested the study citing a potential reduction of property taxes for Anna Maria Island property owners by reducing the cost of similar services provided separately by the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach. Potential areas of consolidated services include law enforcement, public works, building and planning services, city administration and more.

Covering five years from 2018-23, OPPAGA requested a list of current city services, contact information for city officials, the total budgeted amounts and actual expenditures for each city service provided, a city organizational chart and more.

OPPAGA requested written descriptions as to how services provided by Anna Maria could be consolidated with the other two Island cities. OPPAGA also requested written descriptions regarding the benefits and challenges of three consolidation options: Consolidating the three Island cities into one new city, incorporating them into the city of Bradenton, or allowing them to remain as incorporated municipalities while working to consolidate similar city services.

City’s response

Anna Maria’s response includes three pages of written statements regarding the consolidation of similar city services.

Regarding public works, the city’s response states that the three cities could establish a centralized pool of specialized equipment – equipment not used daily – to be shared by the Island’s three public works departments. The response also mentions a centralized public works workforce for common city functions such as sign maintenance, grass mowing, tree trimming, beach cleanup and more.

“A single centrally located Island-wide work center large enough to house the equipment and personnel for all three cities could result in substantial revenue if the vacated properties were sold. Alternatively, the vacated property could be leased or used as public space for recreational purposes. The hosting city could charge the other two cities rent on a prorated basis.”

Regarding the consolidation of the Island’s three building departments, Anna Maria’s response says, “Any consolidation savings of the building department functions would result in permit fee savings but not ad valorem property tax savings. Currently, there are three separate building officials serving the three cities. Possibly, one of these officials could be eliminated, however, fluctuations in the workload may result in delays in the construction industry. Consequently, it is not recom­mended this be pursued.”

Anna Maria doesn’t have a police department and instead contracts with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to provide the city’s law enforcement services. The Anna Maria response suggests that establishing a single Island-wide police department or contracting with the sheriff’s office for all three cities could potentially produce significant cost savings, while also expanding the scope of law enforcement services provided to the three cities.

Regarding code enforcement, the response says, “Similar to law enforce­ment, some synergy could be achieved through a single code enforcement agency serving all three cities.”

Consolidation options

The Anna Maria response addresses the three consolidation options cited in OPPAGA’s request for information letter and acknowledges some potential consolidation benefits. The city’s response acknowledges having a single governmen­tal entity instead of three separate city governments could produce cost savings and the elimination of three different sets of local laws, regulations, and codes might create less confusion for visitors, vendors and contractors.

The response then mentions the diversity that exists among the three Island cities and the loss of each city’s uniqueness that would occur if the three cities were consolidated.

“The result would be both a cultural and economic loss to the county and the state,” the response says.

Regarding consolidation with Bradenton, the response says, “With the stated goal of taking steps to reduce taxes, the annexation of the three Island cities into the city of Bradenton would have the opposite result. The tax rate within Bradenton is 5.7726, while the combined tax millage rate of the three Island cities averages approximately 2.1. The result could be a 275% increase in ad valorem tax rate for Island residents.”

Regarding the consolidation of the three cities into one new Island city, or into the city of Bradenton, the response says, “Under either scenario, there is the loss of the existing charters and comprehensive plans which establish strategy, density, structural heights, zoning, quality of life issues, etc. Loss of these plans has the potential to create a negative impact on the Island community and be disruptive to both businesses and residents. Either scenario is disruptive and almost certain to be met with strong legal opposition, thus making such an effort costly as well as time-consuming and delaying any savings from services consolidation.”

Regarding the consolidation of similar city services, the Anna Maria response says, “This option would be the least disruptive and potentially reap the quickest taxpayer savings. Island businesses, residents, and visitors could all benefit from service consolidation. If successful, the consolidated services could bring about taxpayer savings as well as streamlined processes for all three cities.”

The study is slated for completion in July 2024.

Anna Maria officials discuss consolidation study

Anna Maria officials discuss consolidation study

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – On Nov. 16, each of the three Anna Maria Island mayors received a letter requesting information from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OP­PAGA), which is conducting a study on consolidating city services and governments.

The study was requested in Janu­ary by the Manatee County Legisla­tive Delegation that consists of Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton), Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton), Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota), Rep. Tommy Gregory (R-Lakewood Ranch) and Rep. Mike Beltran (R-Apollo Beach).

On Nov. 16, Mayor Dan Murphy and the Anna Maria City Commis­sion discussed the OPPAGA study, the request for information received earlier that day and the initial Zoom meeting that Murphy and Com­mission Chair Mark Short had with OPPAGA representatives on Nov. 7.

Speaking first, Short said he learned during the Zoom meeting that OP­PAGA Staff Director Emily Leventhal is overseeing the three-person team assigned to conduct the study.

“The scope of their project is to look at the possibility of consolidat­ing services across the three Island cities; and separately, to do an analysis of the consolidation of government structure (the three city governments),” he said.

Short said that each city will be analyzed separately, but the analysis and data pertaining to all three cities will likely be combined into a single report.

“Their goal is to provide options with respect to what could be done and provide both pros and cons with respect to each of those options. They told us they are not making recommendations about what to do. It is unlikely they will recommend any specific course of action,” Short said.

Short said the first step for the city is to provide OPPAGA with the requested information by Dec. 8, if possible. He said OPPAGA representa­tives will also interview city officials as the study continues.

“They will then prepare a report that will be made available to the state Legislature. That report will be made available to them, not to us. Their goal is to have this analysis done by July of 2024. Probably the most surprising thing I heard on this call was that they are not obligated to share their report with us,” Short said.

After noting that OPPAGA is exempt from public records requests, Short said, “They will share it if the Legisla­ture authorizes them to share it with us. Otherwise, they have no obligation to share with us whatever’s in this report, which, personally, I found to be extremely disappointing.”

Anna Maria officials discuss consolidation study
Mayor Dan Murphy hopes the OPPAGA study can help reduce property taxes. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Murphy provided an overview of the questions posed and information requests made in the letter. Most of them pertain to city services, but there’s also a three-part question about the potential consolidation of the three Island cities and their governments, he said.

The information request period spans from 2018-23. OPPAGA re­quested a list of current services the city provides, including, but not lim­ited to, law enforcement, public works projects, public safety, elections, solid and liquid waste disposal treatment, code enforcement and building and planning services. OPPAGA wants email addresses and contact informa­tion for the appropriate city official to contact for each service listed, and the total budgeted amounts and actual expenditures for each service.

OPPAGA also wants a description of how the city services provided by Anna Maria could be consolidated with the other two Island cities.

Commissioner Robert Kingan said he doesn’t see how the projected cost savings for the consolidation of services between three cities can accurately be estimated.

Regarding the potential consolida­tion of the three city governments, the OPPAGA request letter says, “Please provide the following information on government consolidation: A descrip­tion of the benefits and challenges to individual citizens as well as to government operations related to the following potential options for local governance on Anna Maria Island.

“Option 1: All three cities on Anna Maria Island are consolidated into one new city on the island.

“Option 2: All three cities on Anna Maria Island were incorporated as part of the city of Bradenton.

“Option 3: All three cities on Anna Maria Island remain as incorporated municipalities on the island and work to consolidate existing services where that makes sense,” the request letter says.

OPPAGA’s request for information does not mention Manatee County as a possible consolidation/annexation option.

Commission discussion

Murphy said he received a phone call from Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown the previous day and Brown told him he had not received any consolidated study-related correspon­dence from Boyd or Robinson.

According to Bradenton Public Records Liaison Bill Ackles, as of Nov. 18, Brown and the city of Bradenton had not received any correspondence from OPPAGA.

In the consolidation study-related letter that Boyd and Robinson sent to the three Island mayors in August, the state legislators stated their goal was to reduce property taxes by consolidating similar services provided by each Island city.

“If the purpose of this study is to reduce taxes, which is what they said at the very beginning, there might be some good in this,” Murphy said.

However, noting that Anna Maria’s property tax millage rate is 2.05 mills and Bradenton’s millage rate is 5.8 mills, he added, “Can you imagine what that would do to your taxes?”

Short noted the two biggest tax levies on an Anna Maria property owner’s tax bill are the taxes levied by Manatee County and the taxes levied by the Manatee County school district. Short said property taxes levied by the city of Anna Maria only account for approximately 10% of a property owner’s total tax bill.

“I think this is something we can embrace and we might get some good out of it and we might be able to shave people’s tax bills,” Murphy said. “I met with a couple yesterday who showed me their tax bill of $50,000 for their home. They’re not homesteaded. They’re retirees from Atlanta. They built a house and didn’t take into consideration the tax implications. Granted, a lot of that is the school board and Manatee County, but a portion of it is ours. I think the push in the next budget year is to reduce our ad valorem taxes. If OPPAGA can help us do that, let’s do it. If we can reduce taxes, we can attract more people to live here,” Murphy said.

Commissioner Jon Crane said, “I’m going to exercise my right to be a little skeptical.”

During public input, Anna Maria resident John Kolojeski suggested the city do some legal research on annexa­tion and whether the state Legislature can force a community to be annexed into another community.

 

Related coverage:

Holmes Beach Commission weighs in on consolidation

Annexation into Bradenton a consolidation option

State orders immediate AMI consolidation study

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Mayors in the three Island cities received a trick on Halloween in the form of a letter from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA). The Oct. 31 letter states that the Florida Legislature has directed the organization to begin reviewing the potential consolidation of services and government entities on Anna Maria Island.

The OPPAGA study is expected to begin immediately.

While Mayor Dan Murphy of Anna Maria declined to comment on the study and Mayor John Chappie of Bradenton Beach was unable to comment due to illness, Mayor Judy Titsworth of Holmes Beach spoke to The Sun concerning the pending study.

“I’m feeling really threatened,” Titsworth said. “I’m not concerned about the city of Holmes Beach’s worthiness to be a city. I feel the city will show when audited that we have every right to be a city. We’re thriving. We didn’t ask for this study and neither did the residents. It’s not supposed to be government from the top down, it’s supposed to be a government for the people, by the people and that’s not what’s happening in this case. We didn’t ask for this.”

The study into whether or not certain services among the three Island cities should be consolidated or the cities themselves merged into one came about as a result of a Manatee County legislative delegation meeting in January in which delegation members brought up consolidation without warning to the three Island governments.

Legislators have since demanded that the three mayors work to consolidate services themselves. In the past, Titsworth said she’s hosted regular meetings of the three Island mayors and that some efforts to standardize services across the Island have been made. During an October legislative delegation meeting, neither consolidation nor the pending study was mentioned.

As the study progresses, representatives from OPPAGA are expected to meet with city leaders and staff in each Island city. Items ranging from tax rates to expenses, staff numbers, services offered, utilities, infrastructure, number of voters and number of residents are all expected to be analyzed during the study.

While most OPPAGA studies are conducted at the request of a municipality’s residents or government leaders, this one was requested by state leaders. And though it’s not common, state leaders have the ability to present a bill to the Legislature for a vote to consolidate the three Island cities without the input of city leaders, property owners or voters.

Typically a municipality is only dissolved at the state level when the city is insolvent or the level of residents has dropped to such a small number that it can’t sustain the city’s government. Titsworth said that Holmes Beach doesn’t suffer from either problem. She added that she also believes the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach are still strong despite a recent lack of people running for office in those municipalities.

“No one wants to lose their incorporation,” she said, adding that she plans to show her city’s strengths at every turn during the auditing process. “The best thing we can do right now is work harder to prove them (state leaders) wrong and show the strength of the community and city.”

Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study

Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy has sent State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Manatee, Hillsborough) and State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R- Manatee, Sarasota) a written response to their continued push for a state-funded Island consolidation study, expressing his and the city commission’s partial support.

“We endorse the study and wish to actively participate going forward in its development. We heartily welcome new ideas which can both reduce taxes as well as provide expanded and enhanced services to our community,” Murphy wrote in the Sept. 29 letter. “With that being the stated goal of the study, you have our whole-hearted support with this effort. Our city opposes both governmental consolidation or de-annexation (elimination) of the local governments on our Island.”

Murphy’s letter serves as the city’s formal response to the Aug. 21 letter that Boyd and Robinson sent to the three Anna Maria Island mayors informing them that the legislators’ pursuit of a consolidation study conducted by Florida’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) remains active. OPPAGA is a research arm of the Florida Legislature and provides data, evaluative research and objective analyses that assist legislators in their budget and policy deliberations.

STUDY DELAYED

Study requested

On Jan. 12, the Manatee County Legislative Delegation that consists of Boyd, Robinson, State Sen. Joe Gruters (R- Manatee, Sarasota), State Rep. Tommy Gregory (R- Manatee) and State Rep. Mike Beltran (R- Manatee, Hillsborough) unanimously supported requesting an OPPAGA consolidation study be conducted before the 2024 legislative session begins in January 2024.

Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study
Sen. Jim Boyd supports a consolidation study. – Flsenate.gov | Submitted

On Jan. 19, the delegation members sent a letter to Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo requesting an OPPAGA study to be completed by Sept. 15.

“The study should focus on the potential benefits of combining the three municipalities of Anna Maria Island, which encompasses the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. The study should analyze the existing municipalities and present any and all options for future government structure on Anna Maria Island,” the delegation letter said.

That letter stated all three Island cities experienced significant population declines between 2000 and 2020, with Anna Maria’s population decreasing by 46%, Holmes Beach’s population decreasing by 39% and Bradenton Beach’s population decreasing by 39% during that 10-year period.

“If all three cities were combined, their population would bring the resident population to a state ranking of 478 out of 950,” the letter noted.

Study delayed

On Jan. 30, Boyd and Robinson met with Murphy, Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and agreed to give the mayors some time to develop ideas on how to consolidate some of the similar services each city provides.

On Aug. 21, Boyd and Robinson sent a letter to the three mayors informing them that the delegation was resuming its pursuit of an OPPAGA study. That letter stated the ma

Mayor’s letter addresses consolidation study
Rep. Will Robinson Jr. supports a consolidation study. -Myfloridahouse.gov | Submitted

yors had not presented any “implementable concepts” regarding the potential consolidation of police, building department and public works department services in order to help lower the rising property taxes paid by Anna Maria Island property owners.

“We tabled the OPPAGA study in good faith to allow you the time to find better ways of coordination and present such to the delegation. Unfortunately, we have not received any major update so far,” Boyd and Robinson stated in their letter. “Please be assured that the delegation, and the authors of this letter, have not made a decision on consolidation or de-annexation while we await your response. We would like to receive your response prior to our delegation meeting scheduled for Oct. 5. Should we not hear back from you before the delegation meeting, we will move forward with our request to OPPAGA.”

The Manatee County Legislative Delegation meeting will take place at Bradenton City Hall in downtown Bradenton on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

City’s response

Murphy first addressed Boyd and Robinson’s letter during the Aug. 24 Anna Maria City Commission meeting.

After noting that he met with Chappie and Titsworth earlier that day, he said, “Unanimously, we agreed that the right thing to do is to embrace this study. If this study can reduce our taxes, and if it could also enhance and improve the scope of services to the residents of this Island, we’re all in. The scope (of the study) should not be the consolidation or the elimination or the de-annexation of the three municipalities on this Island.”

According to Murphy, each of the three Island mayors are submitting their cities’ written responses to Boyd and Robinson.

In his Sept. 29 letter, Murphy addressed the loss of full-time residents referenced in the delegation’s letter to Passidomo.

“Even though our cities are small in permanent population, our actual population is six- and seven-fold higher in reality. With over 70% of our dwellings being upscale vacation rental homes, our real population continues to grow at a rapid exponential rate while our permanent resident population declines. We struggle to meet the demands and expectations for services to this growing upscale community and we feel this study will help us proactively meet those increased demands and expectations head-on,” Murphy wrote.

“On the other hand, our primary concern with governmental consolidation is a loss of our individuality. Each city on this Island presents a distinctly different environment to full-time residents and visitors alike. Speaking for the city of Anna Maria, we have long been, and we remain, a cultural and quiet residential bastion on the Island,” Murphy wrote.

His letter referenced the Island Players theater, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and historical museum, The Center of Anna Maria Island and the City Pier as Anna Maria-based entities. It also mentioned the city-sponsored Veterans Day Parade, the Memorial Day veterans’ recognition ceremony, the seasonal farmers market and the free movies at City Pier Park that are unique to Anna Maria.

“These differentiators make our city a cultural and residential jewel for locals and visitors. Our concern is that all of these cultural differentiators would become lost through a governmental consolidation process,” Murphy wrote.

“Combining these three unique and culturally diverse communities into one ‘vanilla community’ would result in the loss of the most valuable asset our Island offers, our diverse cultural differences. One size would not fit all in this instance,” he wrote.

State reviewing Longboat Key’s two-county status

State reviewing Longboat Key’s two-county status

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Longboat Key.

LONGBOAT KEY – Manatee County officials have been notified that a state agency is reviewing the possibility that the Town of Longboat Key may be designated as entirely in Sarasota County or Manatee County.

The northern portion of Longboat Key is currently in Manatee County and the southern portion is in Sarasota County.

On May 27, R. Philip Twogood, coordinator for the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), sent written notification of the review to Manatee County Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh. County Administrator Scott Hopes was also copied on the one-page letter.

“At the direction of the Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability will examine administrative and fiscal factors related to placing the Town of Longboat Key in either Sarasota or Manatee county. We expect to begin this review immediately. To assure the least disruption to your agency, we would like to meet with you or your representative to discuss the procedures for this review. We will contact your office in the near future to establish an appropriate time and place for the meeting. Thank you for your cooperation,” Twogood’s letter states.

The current county designations result in some Longboat Key property owners paying property taxes to Manatee County and some paying taxes to Sarasota County. The county designations also determine where and how Longboat Key residents vote.

When contacted on Thursday, June 3, Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer said the town was previously notified of the state review.

“We made a request to OPPAGA to review the circumstances around Longboat Key being in two counties. This was discussed with both Manatee and Sarasota counties and one of our legislative priorities was to ask OPPAGA to do an independent review of the challenges of being in two counties,” Harmer said.

State reviewing Longboat Key’s two-county status
Town Manager Tom Harmer awaits the results of the state agency’s study. – Town of Longboat Key | Submitted

“This has been a topic of discussion for a number of years – the challenges and differences with the property appraisers, the tax collectors, the supervisors of elections and the emergency management offices. There are also differences in how the two county governments are funded and what services they provide here. We’ve done our own review, but this would be an independent review,” Harmer said.

In 2018, the town commission held public hearings pertaining to the town’s two-county status. Harmer said no final conclusions were drawn from the 2018 hearings.

“We were just presenting the finding to both county commissions, so we had joint meetings with both Sarasota County and Manatee County. We looked at the differences and some of the challenges we face. One thing that did come out of those hearings was related to emergency management. Both counties agreed that we shouldn’t report to two different counties during an emergency, like a hurricane. The two sheriffs may have different curfews. The two counties may have different evacuations and reentry timings. We entered into a three-party agreement a little over a year ago that says during an active state of emergency we report through Sarasota County. This applied to the COVID pandemic too,” Harmer said.

“We’ve had discussions with Manatee County and looked for ways to partner with them financially. They agreed to partner with us on our beach renourishment project,” Harmer said.

Harmer provided The Sun with a copy of a March 2021 town presentation titled “Two Counties Challenges.” The presentation notes the total millage rate imposed on Manatee County property owners was 13.87 mills in 2020, compared to 11.7 mills for Sarasota County property owners.

“There’s been no discussion with the town commission on a preference. We’ve provided what we think is factual information to say here’s the difference in the millage rate, here’s the difference in services, here’s the difference in grant opportunities, school board funding and how working with the West Coast Inland Navigation District differs in both counties. The residents have not taken a vote and the commission has not taken a formal position on a particular county at this point,” Harmer said.

“This is really an act of the state Legislature. It’s the state Legislature that would approve it. That’s not something the town can do. Anything that we would do would be more of a non-binding straw ballot or survey. The state is the only one that can move county boundaries,” Harmer said.

Harmer was asked if the facts favor one county over the other.

“It’s a little bit of apples and oranges the way the counties are funded and how we interact with them. That’s why we want to present this to the state Legislature. We want to present the two different financial models for the counties and how it impacts us. We’re looking to the state for recommendations or options on how we address some of these concerns. Some of the concerns are about duplication, some are financial. We’re looking for the state to tell us what we can do and what we should do. Our residents may have different views, the counties may have different views, so why not go to the state and ask for a review of the circumstances and their thoughts on our options,” Harmer said.

“In their notice to us, they said they were moving forward immediately and wanted to complete the report in September. We appreciate them taking this on,” Harmer said.

According to Harmer, the current population of Longboat Key is approximately 7,200 residents.