Even in defeat, victory.
Barrier island elected officials took a proposal to Manatee County commissioners June 21: Allot the islands more money because of tourism.
The commissioners appeared sympathetic, but the plan died at the dais.
The county board met June 21 to decide whether to put a 0.5 percent sales tax increase before the electorate on the Nov. 8 ballot. The commission vote to put the proposal on the ballot was unanimous.
If voters approve the tax, it will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.
The current sales tax rate in Florida is 6 percent on items up to $5,000. Manatee County’s proposed sales tax is an additional 0.5 percent — half a cent — not to exceed $25.
Island leaders proposed a different division of the half-cent tax among the county and six municipalities — Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Bradenton and Palmetto.
Currently, sales tax revenues are distributed based on residential population, meaning Bradenton, Palmetto and the county get the lion’s share.
The barrier islands, with dwindling permanent populations, get the leftovers.
The mayors asked the county to redistribute the proposed sales tax to better favor the four barrier island cities. Under their plan, 90 percent of the tax revenue would still be distributed by population and 10 percent would be distributed based on transient population, aka tourists.
For example, the redistribution could’ve increased Anna Maria’s share from $110,357 to $470,090.
The barrier island officials want additional funding to offset the burden on infrastructure from increased tourism.
County Commissioner Charles Smith acknowledged the county’s worldwide advertisements “lead with the islands.”
Commissioner Larry Bustle said, “I sympathize with the island, but to stop right now and renegotiate an interlocal agreement … we’d miss our deadline.”
Ballot additions and proposed language for the Nov. 8 election must be delivered to the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections by mid-August.
And to get an interlocal agreement, the six municipalities all must agree to a distribution plan for the proposed sales tax. Bradenton and Palmetto would lose funding, while the island cities gain revenue.
Retiring County Commissioner John Chappie, who lives in Bradenton Beach and is running for a seat on the city commission there in November, said, “Were struggling out there to meet the daily needs of our citizens. It’s horrendous.”
Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston and Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said their cities are struggling, too.
Longboat Key Mayor Jack Duncan said he and the other island mayors — Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy, Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon and Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson — wanted to create a conversation.
“This was a success in that we brought our case to the county commission with a united front. We made them aware of our needs and the impact of tourism.” Murphy said.
If the proposed half-cent tax is approved by voters, county commissioners plan to use the money to repair infrastructure and roadways around the county.