The three Anna Maria Island mayors agree: It’s time to ask for their slice of the money pie.
They are seeking shares of funding from the $1.144 million surplus in the Manatee County beach concession fund.
It amounts to nearly all of the surplus. The “wish list” announced at the March 27 Holmes Beach City Commission meeting came to roughly $1.1 million.
The surplus grows from lease payments and a percentage of profit collected from concessionaires UPS Inc., which operates the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, and Coquina Beach Cafe, 2650 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.
Surplus concession revenues can be used to fund capital projects, community planning studies or consultant reports and other one-time projects that serve a valid public purpose and serve all Anna Maria Island residents.
Projects may be undertaken either by Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach or Holmes Beach or collectively.
The final wish list of projects includes bike- and pedestrian-safety improvements, the Anna Maria City Pier rebuild, dog park upgrades, Grassy Point Preserve improvements and Holmes Beach skateboard park upgrades.
Funding requests by city: Anna Maria, $333,000; Bradenton Beach, $298,230; and Holmes Beach, $342,290.
Another $100,000 is earmarked for infrastructure at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
A letter of support signed by all three island mayors and a written request for funding will be forwarded by Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners, which has the ultimate decision on funding.
The county established guidelines for the use of the surplus concession revenues in September 2014. The commission has final approval for the use of the revenues.
Manatee County concession fund requests:
Project Amount Match
Bike path $400,615 50 percent
Anna Maria City Pier $330,000 33 percent
Center of AMI $100,000 none
Pedestrian safety $56,740 50 percent
Tag recognition $40,000 none
Skate park $40,000 50 percent
Kayak launch $35,000 50 percent
Dog park $25,000 50 percent
Beach concession funds requests by city:
CITY AMOUNT
Anna Maria $333,000
Bradenton Beach $298,230
Holmes Beach $342,290
Manatee County requires matching funds on many of its project requests.