The conflict between Manatee County and Holmes Beach over the city’s parking restrictions has escalated into a war.
Manatee County commissioners fired the first shot June 8 when they voted 5-2 to deny a request for $282,910 from Holmes Beach due to its parking restrictions along some roadways.
Commissioners Reggie Bellamy and Misty Servia voted “no,” stating that the improvements would benefit the county.
The city implemented a park-by-permit system last summer to reduce parking along some residential streets when people flooded island beaches as many other Florida beaches remained closed due to the pandemic.
The system involves selling decals to residents and property owners to allow them to park a vehicle in one of 645 spots where the city prohibited public parking 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Several county commissioners have criticized the changes, claiming the reduction in spaces created an “unwelcoming environment” for those who must travel to enjoy the beaches.
County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth met June 7 with county administrator Dr. Scott Hopes and Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer to discuss the matter.
Titsworth said June 8 the meeting was “amicable” and officials were able to “get a lot off our chests” while agreeing to meet again.
However, that amicability was not evident throughout much of the county commission’s June 8 discussion of the $282,910 request to use tourist tax money to reimburse city-funded improvements to a seawall along Marina Drive.
The reimbursement would have freed up city money to improve bike lanes, sidewalks and landscaping.
County discussion
Several county commissioners listed the parking conflict as the primary reason for denying the funding, with Titsworth’s absence from the county meeting also noted.
Commission Chair Vanessa Baugh said she was “disturbed” by Titsworth’s “disrespectful” behavior during the June 7 meeting with Van Ostenbridge and criticized Titsworth’s absence June 8.
“If it was really that important, somebody should have been here to explain it and answer the questions that we have,” Baugh said.
County Commissioner James Satcher said the city took advantage of the county by implementing its park-by-permit system after the county completed renourishment on island beaches.
“The sand that they enjoy when they walk out of their houses, we put there,” Satcher said. “They closed off their parking to our residents right after that renourishment was done. I don’t think that was an accident.”
In fact, the city implemented its parking-by-permit system in July, around the same time the renourishment was beginning in Holmes Beach. The project finished in December.
Van Ostenbridge said denying the requested funding would send a message to the city.
“I’m going to vote for denial on this, and I don’t mind saying to the city of Holmes Beach that ‘your actions have consequences and, if this is denied, that will be the result of actions that they have taken.’”
Bellamy tried to temper the commission’s passions and encouraged cooperation.
“I hate the fact that we are starting to declare war on each other in Manatee County,” Bellamy said. “That’s not the most professional way to serve our citizens in our community.”
“We are fighting for our citizens and that’s all I’ll say on it,” Baugh responded.
Commissioner Carol Whitmore proposed rewriting the proposal for bike path improvements that would meet tourist tax funding requirements.
Kruse seconded her motion, which unanimously passed.
On another funding request, commissioners voted 5-2 to contribute $41,200 in tourist development taxes to the city for improvements at Grassy Point Preserve, including new boardwalks, informative signage and an additional entrance.
Baugh and Satcher voted “no.”
Holmes Beach responds
Titsworth shared with The Islander a June 7 email to county commissioners in which she notified them of her expected absence.
“Although I had hoped that I would be in attendance at this meeting, it may not be possible as we have a commission meeting the very same day … please feel free to reach out if you have any questions regarding this request,” she wrote.
Nevertheless, Titsworth said she wasn’t surprised that county commissioners disregarded her email.
“I saw that one coming,” Titsworth said. “It was set up. They wanted to slay me.”
She said she was surprised, however, the county approved the city’s request for Grassy Point.
“I guess they couldn’t find a good enough reason to say no,” Titsworth said.
At the city meeting June 8, Commission Chair Jim Kihm said the city’s parking changes resulted from long-standing traffic and congestion issues.
He added that Manatee’s population has been increasing for years, but the county has done little to fund island-based infrastructure improvements to address the flow of visitors.
“I’m feeling plenty of push, but I’m not hearing any solutions,” Kihm said.
Commissioner Carol Soustek also indicated the county’s lack of planning had resulted in the current parking and traffic issues.
“If we opened up every parking spot on the island, we couldn’t accommodate the people that want to come out here,” Soustek said. “And then you’ve got another 100,000 moving into the state and you think this city can absorb them, too?”
Commissioner Terry Schaefer, calling county commissioners’ remarks unsavory, spoke about the island’s contribution of around $30 million — or 76% — of the $42 million total in tourist development taxes the county collected since 2010, yet the cities receive little financial support besides beach renourishment.
Schaefer said the city only receives $50,000 per year from the county to police the county-run Manatee Public Beach and Kingfish Boat Ramp — far below the city’s annual cost to police the properties.
“Historically, I think they have pointed more fingers at us than they’ve taken the time and effort to address the real problems here,” Schaefer said. “I, for one, believe that this has to be a joint effort.”
Commissioner Jayne Christenson said she’d accepted an invitation to meet with Van Ostenbridge to discuss the matter.
Christenson added that city commissioners needed to voice support for Titsworth in the face of the county’s criticism.
“We’re the ones who made these rules, and she’s getting the brunt of the negative press,” she said.
City and county officials will continue to meet over the coming weeks to discuss potential solutions.
On the record: Locals sound off
Public feedback at the city commission meeting was mixed regarding the parking changes.
Bradenton resident Andrea Griffin, who urged county commissioners earlier that day to withhold funding from the city until it reversed its restrictions, told city commissioners she was “very upset” with the changes.
“Taking (parking spaces) away is a slap in the county’s face,” Griffin said. “I’m a resident of this county, too. I pay taxes, too. I deserve to be using this beach as well.”
On the other side of the debate, a Holmes Beach resident spoke in support of her elected officials and the parking changes.
Resident Deborah Sneddon thanked Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth for her efforts, saying the county is framing the matter as a parking issue but it really is a safety issue for residents and visitors jammed into the island’s limited real estate.
“I am shocked at one of the speakers here from Manatee County who seemed to feel like it was an us-them parking situation,” Sneddon said. “We’re as concerned about those people coming to our island — if not more concerned — about their safety, and I don’t know where that’s getting lost.”
“You can add as many parking places as you want — it’s getting to and from those parking places that’s the issue,” she added.