Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short emailed The Islander July 18 saying news from the northernmost city on Anna Maria Island is slow.
“Big focus this week has been on the budget for next fiscal year, as well as updating our analysis on where we see the current fiscal year ending. Otherwise it’s been a business-as-usual kind of week for us,” he wrote.
July 19 brought a conversation about the Rod & Reel Pier, which washed out and blew away with hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Now some parking at 875 N. Shore Drive is cordoned off.
Short confirmed that the city portion of the lot, an extension of Alamanda Road adjacent to the Rod and Reel Motel, is open.
Shifting focus to Holmes Beach, Mayor Judy Titsworth told The Islander in a July 19 text message that her focus has been on the budget, a meeting to set the max millage for 2025-26 and discussion on a proposed stormwater tax hike. The meeting was moved from a July 22 time slot to July 25 to put together more info on the stormwater proposal.
Meanwhile, Titsworth is spending her “down” time putting her house back together after almost renovation due to damages from the hurricanes and her “on” time working with staff on a
birthday bash to celebrate the city’s 75 years since its incorporation.
The big event is being planned for Dec. 5.
— Bonner Joy
