Another item has been crossed off the checklist to bring a Mote Marine outreach center to the Anna Maria City Pier.
Anna Maria city commissioners July 8 voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Dan Murphy to sign an interlocal agreement between the city and Manatee County for funding $500,000 of the buildout for the 1,800 square-foot building at the T-end of the pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd.
The agreement spells out the terms by which the county will use tourist tax dollars — raised from the 5% bed tax on accommodations of six months or less — to reimburse the city’s expenses for the project up to $500,000.
Commissioner Mark Short raised concerns about language in the agreement limiting the city’s reimbursement requests to once per three-month period.
At the suggestion of Commissioner Jonathan Crane, the commission authorized Murphy to sign the agreement with the stipulation the reimbursement frequency limitations be changed to once per 30 days.
Murphy said county commissioners would vote on the agreement in August, when their meetings resume after a July hiatus.
The next step is to draft a lease between the city and Mote, Murphy said.
— Amy V.T. Moriarty