Will there be a meeting of the minds?
A meeting scheduled between Manatee County and Holmes Beach officials may hold the answer.
Holmes Beach city commissioners unanimously voted Feb. 8 to approve a resolution allowing them to attend a March 1 joint workshop with the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners to discuss several issues, including the city’s park-by-permit system.
County commissioners also voted Feb. 8 to approve a resolution allowing them to meet as a board with Holmes Beach officials.
The two sides have been at odds since County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge was elected to the board in November 2020.
Soon after joining the board, Ostenbridge threatened to withhold renourishment funds from the city if it didn’t scrap the park-by-permit system, which the city implemented to reduce parking along some residential streets.
Ostenbridge now serves as chair of the county commission.
Both parties have sought a joint workshop over the past few months and, while a Jan. 4 joint meeting fell through, they finally have a chance to talk.
City commissioners also have prepared several other items for discussion at the workshop, including county funding for beach patrol, use of tourist development taxes, the county’s plans to redevelop Kingfish Boat Ramp, dredging and more.
The workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Ryan Paice