By Joe Hendricks
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie have received copies of the OPPAGA consolidation study.
Dated Jan. 8, 2025, the consolidation study was requested in 2023 by State Sen. Jim Boyd, State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. and other state legislators who are members of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation.
After providing The Sun with a copy of the completed study, Titsworth said, “I appreciate the time and effort that the team put into this study. I also look forward to working with the Island mayors, the new county board members and our state leaders in identifying efficiencies to decrease taxes for our citizens. I am pleased that the threats of consolidation and or elimination of our cities has passed and I appreciate the respect our legislature has for home rule.”
The 25-page OPPAGA (Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability) study report sent to the three Island mayors was accompanied by a letter from Boyd and Robinson. (Click here to read the entire study and here to read the Boyd/Robinson letter)
“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 lower height of buildings on the Island must be valued and maintained at all costs. We have been very clear that Anna Maria Island must never become a high-rise community and anything that would cause that to happen would be a nonstarter to us,” the letter says.
“We stand unified in our common goals and ready to continue this great work with you all on the following:
“1. Keep and maintain our Island cities, which are so special and unique to our area;
“2. Streamline services that ‘could result in savings for Island residents.’ (per the OPPAGA study);
“3. If necessary, enact additional state or local regulations to prohibit buildings going higher than allowable under your local codes;
“4. Continue to find ways to balance the quality of life of the Island residents with the ability for Manatee County visitors to access and park on the Island to enjoy a day at our beautiful beaches,” the letter says.
In closing, the Boyd/Robinson letter says, “Our residents should demand that all their public officials, even in areas of disagreement, continue to communicate, find common ground, and work together. We have always valued you as partners in the above goals, and we have never lost our ability to communicate with each other. Thank you for all you have done for our great community and for helping restore and rebuild our Island. As we head into the 2025 Legislative Session, we would like to hear from you prior to Feb. 13 on ways you all believe services can be streamlined and better coordinated.”
The study
The opening executive summary statement for the OPPAGA study report says, “The legislature directed OPPAGA to analyze the potential benefits of consolidating local government services for the three incorporated cities on Anna Maria Island: the city of Anna Maria, the city of Holmes Beach and the city of Bradenton Beach, and present options for future government structure for Anna Maria Island.”
It also says, “The three cities on Anna Maria Island could streamline government services. There are some municipal services on the island that could be streamlined through interlocal agreements, contracts, or government reorganization. This streamlining of services could result in savings for island residents who are currently paying for both city and county services, such as with law enforcement and emergency management services.”
The summary notes OPPAGA explored four options to restructure local government on Anna Maria Island:
- Maintaining the status quo and leaving the existing three cities on Anna Maria Island as is;
- Combining the three cities into one new city;
- Including the Island as part of unincorporated Manatee County;
- Combining all three cities into the city of Bradenton.
The completed study includes analysis and potential impacts of the potential consolidation options and present options for streamlining governmental services.