FROM THE OPPAGA STUDY:
The Florida 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.
Executive Summary
Anna Maria Island Has Three Cities
Anna Maria Island is a seven-mile-long barrier island off Florida’s central western coast just west of the City of Bradenton and part of Manatee County. The island is made up of three cities—the City of Anna Maria, the City of Holmes Beach, and the City of Bradenton Beach.
Government Services Are Provided by Both County and City Governments
Anna Maria Island residents receive government services from both Manatee County and municipal governments. Funding for the municipal services comes mainly from property taxes (ad valorem) for each of the cities. For each of the cities on Anna Maria Island, per capita revenues generally matched per capita expenditures, and each city had some outstanding debts and reserve funding.
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.
OPPAGA Explored Considerations for Four Options to Restructure Local Government on Anna Maria Island
There are precedents for municipal mergers and dissolutions in Florida. OPPAGA explored four options for the local government structure of Anna Maria Island and identified several important considerations for each option. The options are
- 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; or
- combining all three cities into the City of Bradenton.
Editor’s note: The 25-page OPPAGA study as well as Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie’s letter can be found Below
Click here for the 25-page OPPAGA study
Click here for Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie’s letter
Click here for the Boyd-Robinson Letter