Week in review: Why is Scott Hopes out? + Sunshine law questions + a victory for Anna Maria Island + fentanyl is killing us + escape to the Little Manatee River
Scott Hopes' resignation: We have questions commission needs to answer.
Scott Hopes’ resignation: We have questions, so once again our “week in review,” is a little early. (We’ll update as needed.)
But first, let’s enjoy a pretty picture.
Update: But first this just in …
State lawmakers back off Anna Maria Island consolidation study
The Anna Maria Island Sun reports:
State legislators say they no longer intend to commission a state-funded feasibility study on the potential consolidation of the three Anna Maria Island cities and their respective city governments.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy made the announcement during this afternoon’s Anna Maria City Commission meeting.
Murphy returned to Anna Maria today after spending Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Tallahassee meeting privately with the five members of the Manatee County legislative delegation – Rep. Will Robinson Jr., Sen. Jim Boyd, Sen. Joe Gruters, Rep. Tommy Gregory and Rep. Mike Beltran.
On Jan. 12, Robinson announced that the delegation intended to seek during the upcoming 2023 legislative session a state-funded study on the feasibility of consolidating or dissolving the three Island cities. During that same meeting, the delegation also announced its intent to file state legislation that could potentially preempt the city of Holmes Beach’s land development code and city charter to allow Manatee County to build a multi-story parking garage on county property to provide more public parking for beachgoers and other visitors.
State lawmakers did ask island mayors to study ways to possibly consolidate some municipal services, as a way to provide some relief to taxpayers. Anna Marie Mayor Dan Murphy said mayors will meet every two or three weeks to discuss what could be done.
Related coverage | Will Robinson considers bill to preempt Holmes Beach parking controls (Florida Politics)
Related coverage | Opinion | Attempted coup d'etat against Anna Maria Island is just more bad government in Manatee County (The Bradenton Journal)
Photo of the week
Why is Scott Hopes out?
Manatee County commissioners need to come clean with the public about the abrupt departure this week of former county administrator Scott Hopes. What we know about his “voluntary” resignation — it took effect the same day it was announced, the size of the lucrative severance agreement and the pained way commissioners and Hopes described what had just happened it and said their farewells — is not enough. The public deserves more accountability from commissioners.
Why is Scott Hopes out?
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