The first step in the state-ordered study into island consolidation has been completed.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said Dec. 7 that the city was set to meet the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability’s Dec. 8 deadline for responding to its information request.
OPPAGA is a research arm of the Florida Legislature that supports lawmakers by providing data, research and analysis that assist budget and policy deliberations.
State Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton, got approval to commission an OPPAGA study on the island’s governing structure at a January legislative delegation meeting.
Robinson questioned the number of governments needed on the island and proposed OPPAGA present options for consolidation to the delegation ahead of the state’s 2024 legislative session.
However, Robinson gave false information at a local meeting regarding residents versus rentals on the island. The West Manatee Fire Rescue District, in its task for rental inspections, provided contradicting information to that given by Robinson.
The state moved forward with the study as OPPAGA sent information requests in mid-November to the three island cities and set a Dec. 8 deadline for the city responses.
The state asked 15 questions, including eight about existing services, five about municipal structure and consolidation of services, as well as two questions on government consolidation.
Many of the questions ask the city to provide information and documentation for the past five fiscal years, running from fiscal 2018-19 to 2022-23.
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth wrote in Dec. 8 text messages to The Islander that she also would meet OPPAGA’s deadline — but not without disrupting staff’s daily responsibilities.
“We are set to make deadline, but had to put a lot of our daily work aside in order to meet it,” Titsworth wrote. “I commend the staff for working so diligently in getting this done. … It was a tremendous effort by all department heads and their staff.”
Murphy also praised the efforts of city clerk LeAnne Addy, who he said completed much of the work related to the information request. He said he believed the people at OPPAGA “are going to be impressed.”
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie did not respond to a Dec. 8 call from The Islander and it is not known at press time whether the city complied with OPPAGA.