Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth emailed The Islander Sept. 4 with news fresh from a joint meeting Sept. 3 with the Manatee County Board of Commissioners.
She was focused on a request from The Islander to seek approval for overnight parking at the county-managed Kingfish Boat Ramp.
The city receives about $45,000 per year for police patrol services for the ramp and Manatee Public Beach, according to Titsworth, who said Police Chief Bill Tokajer consistently asks for an increase and provides data on time spent to patrol the beach and the boat ramp.
“We are currently asking for reimbursement for the cost of one officer — approximately $146,000 — not including vehicles and equipment,” the mayor wrote. “We thought this to be a fair ask.”
Titsworth also said that while overnight parking is prohibited at the boat ramp, the chief is in discussions with the county to determine if they will change the policy to be similar to the 59th Street boat ramp.
On another issue, the three cities have an agreement for the use of excess funds paid by the concessionaire at the Manatee and Coquina beaches for improvements.
“The last ask was approximately three years ago, when then-county administrator Scott Hopes chose to use the money for the take over of the Coquina marketplace,” Titsworth said.
“The takeaway from the meeting was yes, this funding source is still available but due to its use for water taxi docking facilities and repairs and county park improvements, it currently has a balance of only around $500K.”
The mayor said she plans to reach out to Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach to coordinate a joint request for funding city projects.
“Although the criteria is quite cumbersome, it is a viable source of revenue for projects within our cities,” said Titsworth, who also plans again to ask the tourist council to recommend funding for a portion a multi-use path on Marina Drive.
Meanwhile, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short wrote in a Sept. 4 email to The Islander that the city established a no-swim area for a portion of Bean Point where the currents are too dangerous and the water depth drops off quickly.
“We are working with the county on a more permanent solution,” he said.
Also, regarding the privately owned Rod & Reel Pier, destroyed by hurricanes in 2024, Short wrote, “I have received no further communications from (the R&R) in terms of where their rebuild stands.”
— Bonner Joy