Lakewood Ranch Incorporation

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EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

OUR TOWN

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

ON STAGE

INSIDE

SPORTS

Steel Magnolia performs at Braden River High. PAGE 17.

East County families enjoy weekend of Easter celebrations. PAGE 10-11.

Mustangs upset Braden River in district final. PAGE 23.

By The Observer Staff talkBEAUTY of the town AND THE FEET

Observer to host debate The first debate between the representatives from the Incorporation Study Committee and the Friends of Lakewood Ranch will be from 7-9 p.m., May 9, at The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom.

Courtesy photo

+ Lakewood Ranch girls assist in drill Cousins Rebekah and Sarah Meyers, of Lakewood Ranch, joined others as mock victims during an emergency disaster drill at the SarasotaBradenton International Airport April 20. The girls thoroughly enjoyed playing the parts of the “walking wounded” and even riding on stretchers. But it also seemed Rebekah was a bit too into her part. Toward the end of the drill, she became overheated and required real medical attention to cool her off, says mom, Jodie. However, that didn’t seem to spoil the experience. “(The) kids had fun afterward wearing their leftover ‘wounds’ to our remaining errands,’ Jodie says.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The groups advocating and opposing the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch will meet for the first time in the East County Observer’s Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate May 9. The debate, which will feature

PAYTON PREVIEW

both questions from the East County Observer as well as selections from readers and attendees, will be from 7-9 p.m., May 9, at The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Main St. Incorporation proponents Tom Thomaides and

Keith Davey will represent the Incorporation Study Committee, and Gary Berns and Bob Hendel will present the anti-incorporation arguments for the Friends of Lakewood Ranch.

SEE DEBATE / PAGE 2

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS The East County Observer invites readers to submit questions for consideration for the upcoming debate. To submit questions, email them to Executive Editor Michael Eng at meng@yourobserver.com. Please put “Incorporation Debate Question” in the subject line.

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Krystle K Photography

“We’ve come to the understanding regardless of what doctors say, if the good Lord wants to take my son (Adrian), He will,” Anthony Littlejohn said. “And if He doesn’t, then He won’t. It’s not his time. We (just want to) make sure he gets to the opportunity to beat it.”

+ Ranch alum earns Hall-of-Fame status Look out, business world. Ashley Boccuzzi is about to make some waves. The Lakewood Ranch High School graduate on April 12 earned induction into the University of Florida College of Business Hall of Fame. After graduation, she will move to New York, where she will work in the Operations Consulting Department at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Boccuzzi spent all four years of high school at Lakewood Ranch and also attended Braden River Middle School in the eighth grade.

STILL FIGHTING

Anthony and Ivette Littlejohn’s son, Adrian, was diagnosed with cancer in November. The family is one of many being helped by the Payton Wright Foundation, which has a golf outing fundraiser on May 13.

HERITAGE HARBOUR — Anthony Littlejohn lifts his son, Adrian, and lays the child against his chest as his wife, Ivette, settles on the couch beside him. The 14-month-old whines gen-

tly after waking from an afternoon nap. The child is so small in his father’s loving arms but still has such a big fight ahead. For Anthony, a football and

track coach at Lakewood Ranch High School, it feels much like being in the fourth quarter of a football game down by seven with 90 yards to go and no time on the clock. There’s no star

quarterback and no time outs. In late November, the couple learned Adrian was suffering from a stage-four atypical tera-

SEE ADRIAN / PAGE 8

INDEX Classifieds ..........28 Cops Corner ...........5

Crossword ............27 Neighbors ............10

Opinion..................6 Real Estate ..........21

Sports..................23 Weather ...............27

Vol. 12, No. 17 | One section <RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THE DEBATE WHEN: 7-9 p.m., May 9 WHERE: The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Main St. COST: Free. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. DETAILS: Light refreshments will be available. Attendees will be asked to hold their applause. INFO: Executive Editor Michael Eng, 755-5357, Ext. 402 or meng@yourobserver.com

DEBATE/PAGE 1 Both groups said the debate process is crucial in helping determine the future of Lakewood Ranch. “(Attending is) critically important,� Thomaides said. “Residents need to know the facts and make an informed decision. “We want Lakewood Ranch residents to understand that becoming a city 1) is not only feasible but economically beneficial to the entire community, 2) gives us a voice in shaping the continued growth of Lakewood Ranch and 3) is a natural evolution from a rural collection of neighborhoods governed by a distant county struc-

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

ture to a city governed by local representatives with a citywide vision.� Friends representative Gary Berns said he hopes the debate will convince Lakewood Ranch resident to think more critically about the effects of incorporation. “Inasmuch as we believe an educated group of residents is our best hope, we believe attendance is very important,� he said. “Only by becoming educated about the pros and cons of incorporation will residents be able to make the informed decision to protect what they now have. “We hope that this debate will educate the residents on the serious risks and lack of benefits of incorporation,� Berns said. “We believe that exposure to both sides will only help us and will convince residents to sign a petition opposing incorporation.� Since the idea of Lakewood Ranch incorporating surfaced more than three years ago, the majority of discussion on both sides has centered on whether doing so would be financially feasible. The Incorporation Study Committee bases its support on the study conducted by Florida economist Hank Fishkind. The Friends group has refuted that study and argued that it contains inaccuracies. Another major point of contention is the change in Lakewood

Ranch’s government structure. Currently, the community is governed by Community Development Districts. If Lakewood Ranch incorporates, those CDDs would be replaced with a council/manager form of government. The Friends group maintains that change would give residents less control of their government, while the Incorporation Study Committee argues the council/manager structure has proven successful in similar cities. “(The most important piece of information is) that the risks of incorporation — including higher taxes, loss of local control, claimed benefits being exaggerated or non-existent, and that there is no going back after incorporating, among other risks — far outweigh any possible benefits,� Berns said. “With that information, residents will realize that forming a new city is a risky venture that jeopardizes the important things they have come to know and love in our neighborhoods.� Davey said he is confident the work his group already has done will convince residents incorporation is a good idea for all residents. “We really have done our homework over the past three years and developed recommendations that are based on extensive research, factual studies and reliable data,� he said.

ABOUT THE DEBATERS INCORPORATION STUDY COMMITTEE KEITH DAVEY: A Lakewood Ranch resident since 2005, Davey has served as Lakewood Ranch Community Fund president, Civic Action Forum president, CDD 4 supervisor, Greenbrook Homeowners Association president (2007-2008) and Greenbrook Safety Committee chair (2006-2008). He has 30 Davey years of experience at Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. TOM THOMAIDES: Thomaides, a Lakewood Ranch resident since 2005, has more than 30 years of management and senior-level executive experience at Fortune 500 financial institutions, including MBNA (Bank of America), MNC Financial, Security Pacific Bank and Great Western Financial. He also has three years of experience in computer technology at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft Company. He has no Thomaides involvement in local government.

FRIENDS OF LAKEWOOD RANCH GARY BERNS: Berns is a retired attorney who specialized in real estate and commercial litigation. He has served as fire commissioner of Woodmere Fire District as well as the Summerfield Forest Neighborhood Committee, the Modification Committee and as CDD 1 supervisor. He also was on the first SRVA Board of Directors and also served as SRVA vice president and president.

Berns

BOB HENDEL: Hendel, a Lakewood Ranch resident of more than three years, is a retired attorney who specialized in commercial law. He served as executive director of an international firm with 750 lawyers in New York, Asia and Europe. He also has served for several years as president or as a board member of several condominium and homeowners associations Hendel located in Connecticut and Utah.

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EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SPORTS

Ranch falls in regional semifinals.

INSIDE

SPOTLIGHT

PAGE 10-11.

PAGE 12-13.

Dragon Boat Linger Lodge Festival cruises hosts first into East County. bluegrass fest.

PAGE 23.

OUR TOWN

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011

INCORPORATION DEBATE By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

IN MEMORIAM

BEAUTY AND THE FEET

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Family launches scholarship program

+ Get your cameras ready! Lakewood Ranch-based Sanborn Studios has joined forces with the Guerilla Film Competition to find the “best of the best” of YouTube video stars. The 48-hour Guerrilla Film Competition challenges online amateurs to write, shoot and edit a short film in just two days, this year beginning on May 13. Each film will promote a sponsor, product, message or cause and be judged by industry experts. Winning films move on to collect prizes, with top honors earning $5,000. Sanborn will be flying in a representative from the winning team for a getaway weekend in Sarasota and a pitch meeting with studio executives. The team’s film also will be screened during Sanborn’s Movieville International Film Festival in mid-June.

+ Bobcats spotted in Lakewood Ranch Lakewood Ranch resident Sean Abrams caught these bobcats on camera near the Highfield section of the Country Club of Lakewood Ranch last week. “I snapped these photos of two bobcats that were either fighting or courting — I couldn’t tell,” Abrams says. “They were ‘talking’ to each other quite a bit which caused a group of nearby deer to stamp and chuff … which caused me to peek outside with my camera.” Recently, we’ve received quite a few wildlife photos from readers. Let us know if you’d like to see more shots

SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 2

Incorporation proponent Keith Davey, with Tom Thomaides, said incorporating would create a long-term plan for the community.

Bob Hendel of the anti-incorporation group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, said incorporation would take away local control.

TAKING LAKEWOOD RANCH — The two groups promoting and opposing the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch faced off for the first time during the East County Observer’s Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate May 9 at The Polo Grill and Bar Fête Ballroom. More than 330 people packed into the ballroom as Tom Thomaides and Keith Davey, of the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Committee, and Gary Berns and Bob Hendel, of the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, defended their respective positions and tried to poke holes in their oppositions’ arguments. The East County Observer’s Editorials Page Editor Rod Thomson served as moderator. In his opening statements, Hendel cited his top 10 reasons for opposing incorporation, including the loss of local control, no savings on taxes and a significant risk taxes will increase, among other concerns. “We are against this city, at this time, under this charter,” he said. Thomaides, however, called incorporation “a practical step in a normal evolution” and noted the study committee is the only side of the debate “who began with an open mind” and was willing to

SIDES Pro- and anti-incorporation groups faced off Monday for the first Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Debate hosted by the East County Observer.

Photos by Pam Eubanks

More than 300 Lakewood Ranch residents crowded into the twoSEE DEBATE / PAGE 2 hour, standing-room only event at The Polo Grill’s Fête Ballroom.

Download a complete mp3 file of Monday’s debate on YourObserver.com.

The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund eventually will pay for four students to attend ODA. LAKEWOOD RANCH — Not a day goes by that Mike Emmons doesn’t think about his son, Taylor, a 19-year-old baseball star who graduated from The Outof-Door Academy in 2009. And each morning, as Mike Emmons looks in the mirror, he can’t help but wonder what his son would want him to do following the accident that took Taylor’s life in December 2010. “I know he would want me to do something for the kids,” Mike Emmons said. “That’s what motivates me to do it. I know he would be very proud.” Mike and his wife, Katie, have launched the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund to provide schooling opportunities at ODA’s Upper School for students who otherwise would not be able to afford it. The cost to attend ODA’s Upper School hovers around $17,000 annually. “The objective here is for a student who has proven they’re a good student and wants to (come here to be able to),” Mike Emmons said. “This school is about preparing kids to go to college. Taylor loved it here. We think the world of this school. “Our goal is to have a student receive a scholarship every year,” he said. “At any one time, there would be four students attending (on it).” The family already has raised $70,000 from donations made in Taylor’s honor follow-

SEE EMMONS / PAGE 8

INDEX Classifieds ..........28 Cops Corner ...........5

Crossword ............27 Opinion..................6

Real Estate ..........20 Neighborhood ......10

Sports..................23 Weather ...............27

Vol. 12, No. 19 | One section <RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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DEBATE/PAGE 1 abandon efforts if incorporation proved infeasible. He also said the study committee’s task of defending incorporation is more difficult than instilling fear of the unknown. “They don’t have to prove anything,� Thomaides said. “It is inevitable that one day Lakewood Ranch must seize its own destiny and become its own city. We believe the time is now.� Proponents of incorporation argued an incorporation feasibility study conducted by economist Dr. Hank Fishkind is reliable and has been validated by independent third-party consultant Dr. Tim Chapin of Florida State University, while anti-incorporators said Fishkind’s work, based on other examples, could not be trusted and chastised the pro-incorporation group for referring to Chapin’s own conclusions as if they were approved by FSU. Thomaides said the Incorporation Study Committee worked to correct misleading statements on all the group’s documents as soon as they were notified of the problem, and the group did not intentionally misuse the college’s name. He also said the problem does not change Chapin’s conclusions, which validated the Fishkind study. Berns cited a $70,000 feasibility study Fishkind conducted for Casey Key as a prime example of why the Lakewood Ranch feasibility study should not be trusted. The Casey Key study was

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011

LEARN MORE For information about the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Committee and its documents, visit www.lwrincorporation.com. For information about the Friends of Lakewood Ranch and its documents, visit www.friendsoflwr.com. deemed useless by state legislators considering the proposal, and it was not approved. Thomaides, however, argued the two were an “apples to oranges comparison� because Casey Key’s study was intended to discover what would be required to make incorporation feasible — a roughly $2,000 per household increase in taxes, among other components — while the Lakewood Ranch study shows no tax increase would be necessary to become a viable city. He also noted the city of Lakewood Ranch would get only about 10% of its revenues from property taxes, a stark contrast to cities such as Marco Island, which gets 75% of its revenue from property taxes and now is having financial problems. Friends of Lakewood Ranch debaters also argued the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch would lead to a loss of local control, as the five supervisors elected for each community development district would no longer be required. Instead, five at-large councilmen would

represent the entire Lakewood Ranch property, with thousands of more residents in the future. The boundaries of those councilmen would be vastly different than what CDD supervisors oversee today, and councilmen would not be immediate neighbors making decisions on behalf of their neighborhoods. “We are going to become minority voters,� Hendel said. “We are not today. We don’t want to lose that which we have today.� Davey and Thomaides, however, argued becoming a city would give residents more local control, allowing councilmen to create a citywide approach to problem solving for issues such as irrigation problems, rather than the piece-meal solutions offered by CDDs today. Advisory boards would give council members directions as to what projects are most important to residents. They also said the city would be able to implement long-term planning for the city, among other benefits. “We tried to make our point that incorporation will provide much more local control than we have today,� Davey said after the debate. “We tried to answer the questions honestly and provide factual data.� Hendel said: “I’m very pleased with our presentation. We hope we were able to provide information to the residents that will (help) them make an informed decision.� Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@ yourobserver.com.

OUR TOWN

>> CONTINUED

FROM PAGE 1

like these — or maybe even a new wildlife feature. Email Executive Editor Michael Eng, meng@yourobserver.com.

+ Host homes needed for exchange program Education First is bringing 34 Spanish and 34 Chinese students to the area this summer, and the organization is in need of host families. Program Leader Sherree Bowman said students will be coming in July to improve their English skills, and the organization needs families to host students for two to three weeks. Families will provide a bed, three meals a day and transportation to school or field trips. St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church will host the students’ classroom time, family orientation meetings and the Chinese graduation. Deadline is June 1. For information, contact Sherree Bowman at 545-7300.

+ Lakewood Ranch grad claims DeSoto Queen crown Ellie Ohlman was named the 2011 DeSoto Queen at the Desoto Historical Society Ball April 29. Ohlman is a 2010 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.

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*24 Month lease 2,699 due at signing plus tax, tag, title, and dealer fee of $499.95. 10,000 miles per year with approved credit through Ally financial. Also includes owner loyalty. ** Includes owner loyalty. Photos for illustration purposes only. The dealership or it’s agency are not responsible for late, lost of misdirected mail, typographical or production errors.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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CDD RESERVES Numbers indicate un-audited reserve figures as of May 31, 2011. District 1: $169,516 in operating reserves; $230,000 in reserves for infrastructure improvements (primarily irrigation) District 2: $425,074 in operating reserves; $573,915 in road reserves District 4: $66,369 in operating reserves District 5: $60,804 in operating reserves; $115,232 in road reserves. (The district has spent $654,000 in operating reserves in the last two years because of litigation and stormwater drain repairs.)

SALES RECORD Despite the economy, Lakewood Ranch’s real estate market has exceeded projections in the feasibility study. In 2010, nearly 250 new homes sold, and Schroeder-Manatee Ranch anticipates hitting or beating initial projections of 350 new home sales for 2011. From January to May 2011, 173 homes had sold — up 240% compared to the previous year. The study projected 174 new single-family homes in 2011 and another 322 singe-family homes and 610 multifamily homes for 2012.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

timing By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

INCORPORATION: WHY NOW?

Discussions of whether Lakewood Ranch should become a city began more than five years ago. The group leading the charge has been researching the issue for the last three years and believes now is the best time to proceed. But, given the current economic situation not everyone is convinced. L A K E W O O D poration, even in the RANCH — For some, current economy, is the question is “Why economically feanow?� sible without raising But for others, it’s taxes on residents. “Why not?� And once incorFor supporters of porated, some monthe incorporation of ies currently going Lakewood Ranch, to Manatee County, each day that passes specifically those is a day of lost state from the Municipal shared revenues that Services Taxing Unit could be used to bet- EDITOR’S NOTE: revenues (about $1.5 ter Lakewood Ranch This is the first million), as well as and its residents, spe- in a summer-long $2.2 million in stateseries regarding cifically. shared revenue, For those who op- Lakewood Ranch would go directly to pose the idea, the incorporation. the city of Lakewood floundering economy Ranch, giving the holds only the promentity more control ise of trouble for a start-up city. over when it fixes its roads as Neither side is budging, and well as other issues. both are hopeful residents will “It really comes down to why be fully educated and have not (incorporate) now,� Incorweighed all the evidence before poration Study Group Chairman taking a side on the issue. Tom Thomaides said. “There is no good reason to wait.� State-shared revenues for NO REASON TO WAIT The pro-incorporation group road projects currently go to argues now, indeed, is the time counties and municipalities. to move forward with becoming And although CDD supervisors a city and that there is no good and their staff have pushed for reason to wait. The group touts months, at times, to get even a feasibility study conducted potholes repaired, the city of by economist Hank Fishkind as Lakewood Ranch would be conclusive evidence that incor- able to set its own priorities

TALK OF A TOWN

and schedule for road improvements and repairs. “The county would do county roads:Lorraine,UniversityParkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard,â€? fellow Study Group member Keith Davey said. “Public roads within neighborhoods could be done by the city, and you’d have $960,000 a year from the state-shared revenue. ‌We could pave all the roads in Summerfield in the first year.â€? Furthermore, supporters of incorporation also believe that the city of Lakewood Ranch would be in a much stronger financial position than many other cities because of the future city’s proposed financial structure, which bases only 10% of the future city’s revenues on property values. The rest, under the feasibility study, are based on per capita numbers from comparable cities and on fixed assessments by lot (Community Development District assessments). And those numbers bode well for Lakewood Ranch, especially when looking at county and city municipalities that obtain significant portions of their revenues from property values. In Manatee County, for example, $154 million or 34% of its $454 million recommended budget

comes from property values, which have dropped from $34.4 billion at their peak in 2007 to an estimated $23.6 billion now. Its other revenue sources generally include licenses and permits, intergovernmental monies, charges for services and other taxes. In the city of Palmetto, which has a population of about 14,000 — about the same as existing Lakewood Ranch — 36% of revenues come from property taxes, according to Palmetto’s budget documents. “The economic problems don’t have any affect on incorporation,� Davey said. “The feasibility study already takes (that) into account.� Thomaides agreed. “We ran 0% growth over 10 years, and it still showed a very, very favorable financial picture,� he said. “Instead of $37 million (in reserves) over 10 years, it drops to about $30 million.�

A BAD TIME

Anti-incorporators don’t believe the Fishkind study is credible, nor do they believe the timing is right for becoming a city, especially with many people still unemployed and so many foreclosed homes on the market.

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2011

Photos by Pam Eubanks

Summerfield resident Gary Berns, spokesman for the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, said now is not the time to incorporate.

Keith Davey, of the Incorporation Study Group, said Lakewood Ranch is missing out on several opportunities by not incorporating.

“This plan is being put forward at a bad time,� Friends spokesperson Gary Berns said. “(Pro-incorporators) admit cities across the nation are having a hard time.� Furthermore, Berns said the figures included in the feasibility study are too optimistic — and don’t take into consideration cuts at state level. “There’s no guarantee,� Berns said. “He who gives can take it away. To build your whole (financial) structure (on that) makes no sense to us.� The Florida Revenue Sharing Act of 1972, which funds the state-shared revenue dollars, was created by the Florida Legislature under Chapter 72-360 as a way to ensure a minimum level of revenue equality across units of local government and has funded county and city governments for nearly 40 years. On the point of $37 million, Bonita Springs, population 23,000, netted $41.6 million in

reserves.They(had)$1.3million(in Fiscal Year 2010).� The $200,000 line of credit several CDDs have agreed to secure — which has since been negotiated to $300,000 — “won’t go very far� if a true disaster strikes, pro-incorporators said. “The purpose of the reserve is (to pay) for unanticipated expenses,� Davey said. “For example, if we have a hurricane, there’s no money anywhere to pay for cleanup. Your insurance will pay for damage (to buildings), but (not) if it blows down a bunch of trees.� However, Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Interim Executive Director Steve Zielinski questioned the notion that the Ranch’s CDDs have insufficient reserves. A former chief financial officer for a county in New Jersey, Zielinski said governments generally reserve 10% to 15% of their operating budget, but the numbers do fluctuate according to the entity.

RESERVES

The pro-incorporation group also asserts that Lakewood Ranch CDDs do not have sufficient reserves in place compared to “typical� governments. Davey said many governments have reserves of at least 5% of their total revenues. The city of Palmetto, according to its Fiscal Year 2010-2011 budget documents, is putting 10% to 25% in reserves — enough to fund expenses for three to six months. At the end of Fiscal Year 2010, the city had a roughly $17 million fund balance, with $11.4 million of that unreserved. “We have much less than that,� Daveysaid.“TheCDDscollectively should have almost $3.6 million in

Lakewood Ranch CDDs 1, 2, 4 and 5 had a combined $721,763 in their operating reserves as of May 31. Although Districts 1 and 2 have monies set aside both for infrastructure and for a “rainy day,� District 5 has nearly drained its reserves — $654,000 — over the last two years because of problems with stormwater drains in the community. CDD 4, however, traditionally has not put much money aside for reserves until recently. “Would we like to see more (reserves)? No doubt about it,� Zielinski said. “But you start crossing the line. Once you start building tremendous reserves, you might feel you are assessing the homeowners more than you should be. “You have to look at the individual entities and assess what

their overall needs are on an ongoing basis and determine if that level is going to be sufficient,� he said. In CDD 2, for example, supervisors had reserves of 22% and have opted to give some monies back to residents in Fiscal Year 2012, resulting in 5.4% decrease in the overall budget. Additionally, Zielinski said he expects districts to have items come in under budget, and the boards could opt to put those unused monies into their reserves at the end of the fiscal year, if they so choose. Berns, a supervisor in District 1, said he’s “comfortable� with the level of reserves in his district — about $400,000 in total, currently. Davey and Thomaides, however, say the overall reserve numbers for districts are still too low, especially if the CDDs have to undertake serious improvement projects, such as an overhaul of the districts’ irrigation system. The city would have the ability to borrow money at a lower rate and even could loan money to the CDDS, if necessary. If a hurricane strikes, for example, CDDs can only raise assessments to pay back their line of credit or pay for damages, if they do not have sufficient reserves. The city, however, through financing mechanisms, could spread the costs of those repairs to homeowners over a longer period, so residents would not feel the financial impact at once. Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

UPCOMING: See next week’s issue to learn more about how incorporation directly could affect residents of Lakewood Ranch.

14007 11Th Ne Ter $4,950,000 #A3940305 Stacy Haas

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Tara Golf & CC 941-748-6300 941-356-0096

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Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-228-1047

323 Golden Harbour Trl $239,800 #A3944952 Sandra Maslen

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6976 W Country Club N Dr # 6976 Sarasota $149,900 #A3940874 941-349-3444 Marlene & George Marshall 941-539-8850

6901 8Th W Ave # 5924 $139,900 #M5815722 Kathy Valente

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-685-6767

3803 45Th W Ter # 105 $129,500 #A3935508 Adam Cuffaro

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3219 Bayshore Gardens Pkwy $114,900 #M5822182 Cheryl Roberts

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11809 Shrewsbury Ln $110,500 #A3937870 Sabrina Sullivan

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6348 7Th W Ave # 6348 $72,500 #M5820468 Debbie Capobianco

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-704-2394

Bradenton 941.748.6300 s )-' !CADEMIES s ,AKEWOOD 2ANCH s -AIN 3TREET 3ARASOTA s 3T !RMANDS s 3OUTH ,ONGBOAT s 3IESTA +EY

51081

revenue in its first five years of incorporation (1999 through 2004), and Wellington, original population of 25,000, netted $31.2 million in its first years from 1996 to 2000.

9

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011

changes By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

LIFE AFTER INCORPORATION

Under the charter, the city would be divided into five districts that are different from the existing CDDs.

By far, the largest change under Lakewood VOTING Ranch incorporation would be a completely new The Incorporation Study Group anticipates conducting a straw governing body for the community. But, how poll of voters about incorporation would this affect residents in their day-to-day lives? sometime in August. If Lakewood

DISTRICT 1 — Includes the portion of CDD 1 north of the Braden River (Summerfield) and all property north of State Road 70, west of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, east of the Lakewood Ranch boundary line and south of State Road 64. DISTRICT 2 — Includes all of CDD 2 in Manatee County and all property east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Sarasota County. DISTRICT 3 — Includes all of CDD 6 and all of CDD 1 south of the Braden River (Riverwalk) and, in addition, all property west of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and south of CDD 1 and east of the west Lakewood Ranch boundary line and north of the south Manatee County line, in Manatee County. It also includes all property west of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Sarasota County.

TALK OF A TOWN EDITOR’S NOTE:

This is the second in a summer-long series regarding Lakewood Ranch incorporation.

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Although all of the impacts of incorporation on Lakewood Ranch residents still are unclear, supporters of the idea say it certainly will improve services and give residents more control over their futures. By bringing planning and zoning decisions into a new Lakewood Ranch City Council, the Incorporation Study Committee believes residents ultimately will have more access to the politicians making decisions for their community. The Friends of Lakewood Ranch, the

group opposing the idea, fears the opposite. By adding a council and dissolving existing Community Development Districts, the group believes residents actually will have less control, because each of Lakewood’s five districts would have fewer representatives and all officials would be up to a citywide vote (rather than by district). This week, we examine the major changes that would occur according to the proposed Lakewood Ranch city charter.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

DISTRICT 4 — Includes all of CDD 4 (Greenbrook) west of Lorraine Road and all property north of S.R. 70 between Lorraine Road on the east and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard on the west, except for Lorraine Corners Retail Center and the Chevron Center at the northwest corner of Lorraine Road and S.R. 70, and S.R. 64 on the north. DISTRICT 5 — Includes all of CDD 5, a portion of CDD 4 (Greenbrook) east of Lorraine and the property north of the south line of Manatee, east of Lorraine Road, south of S.R. 70 and west of the eastern Lakewood Ranch boundary and all property north of S.R. 70 between Lorraine Road and the eastern boundary of Lakewood Ranch on the east except Lorraine Corners Retail Center and the Chevron Center at the northwest corner of Lorraine Road and S.R. 70 shall be included and S.R. 64 on the north.

Currently, the five Community Development Districts are governed by five supervisors who all live within the districts they represent. Only residents of a district can vote for supervisors within that district. The Inter-District Authority Board, comprising one representative from each CDD, makes decisions that affect all five districts on their behalf. As proposed, the city of Lakewood Ranch would have a council-manager form of government. There would be five city council members, and each council member would live within the district he or she is representing, but all council members would be elected by a citywide vote. Of the five representatives, one

council member would serve as mayor and a second as deputy mayor. Council members, not the public, would select from within their group which representative would serve as mayor and deputy mayor on a biennial basis. Supporters say having a city and city council would allow Lakewood Ranch residents alone to make decisions affecting the community, because it would give Ranch residents alone a voice in planning and other issues. The move also would simplify the community’s government structure by replacing supervisors from existing CDDs — 25 in total — and the Inter-District Authority Board, which governs shared issues for Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5,

with five citywide elected officials. “We also would have a seat at the table for economic development,� Incorporation Study Group Chairman Tom Thomaides said. But members of the Friends of Lakewood Ranch disagree. The new boundaries, they said, take away the voice of current esidents by making them the minority group of homeowners within each future district. They also say having all five CDD supervisors living in a resident’s own CDD offers residents more local control. Additionally, Friends members said city council members would be able to take campaign contributions from developers — a fact that may influence future decisions of the board. Developer contributions are not an issue for CDD supervisors, currently, they said.

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Ranch residents indicate they are favorable toward incorporation, the committee will submit appropriate documentation to the state Legislature for consideration. If approved, the issue of incorporation will come back before Lakewood Ranch’s registered voters for a referendum, likely in June 2012. If approved by voters, Lakewood Ranch’s effective date of incorporation likely would occur in the summer of 2012. City council members would be elected after the referendum but before the city incorporates.

TAXES

The study group said incorporation of Lakewood Ranch is feasible without a tax increase. Individual CDDs or Manatee County could increase assessments that would impact residents within Lakewood Ranch, but becoming a city itself would not change the amount residents are taxed in most cases. Only residents in Sarasota may see an increase to accommodate a charge from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for services, but pro-incorporators said those increases likely could be offset with other savings. “The only thing that would change is, for the people in the CDDs today, the line item for the unincorporated MSTU (tax),� Thomaides said.

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8

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2011

Under incorporation, at first, Lakewood Ranch’s existing CDDs would continue to exist. The charter states as per Florida statute, the city would, “as soon as practical and upon a finding of sufficient evidence, adopt a non-emergency ordinance providing for a plan of transfer of a specific community development service to the city for each of the Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts.� “This whole transition is gradual,� study group member Keith Davey said. “On day one, the CDDs are still there. The CDDs are still going to be responsible for their own infrastructure. At least initially, that would not change.� The CDDs then would become dependent special districts under the city, each with the same bound-

ary as the five CDD districts, and a sub-account would be established for each sub-district. All funds received from non-ad valorem assessments for the dependent special district would be assigned to the appropriate sub-district and subaccount and would be expended only for benefits “within or for the benefit of the specific sub-district,� the proposed charter states. The city charter calls for the creation of a Special District Advisory Committee to advise council members on matters pertaining to each district. The charter states the advisory committee will comprise one appointee from each sub-district “chosen by all homeowners association or associations and the condominium association, if any, within the sub-district. But Friends say the notion is misleading.

FIRE/EMS/POLICE

Incorporation, as proposed, would have no effect on the amount of police, fire and other emergency services in Lakewood. Policing services would continue to be provided by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, with which the city would maintain a contract. A similar structure would exist for fire and EMS services. Those contracts would provide the same service that currently exists, although Lakewood Ranch residents would have the option to add to those services for an additional cost Adding additional patrols could eliminate the need for the roving security patrols in CDDs 1 and 4, for example — if residents desire increased levels of service. Proincorporators believe the costs could be offset with revenues the city receives and by eliminating CDD-contracted security services. Friends members say more services would translate to higher costs. The proposed city charter prohibits the creation of Lakewood Ranch’s own police department without a public referendum.

“This committee was put in there to look good, but it means nothing,� Gary Berns said. “It’s not the same (as what we have today).� Under the current structure, CDD supervisors solicit suggestions from homeowners associations within their district regarding landscaping and other issues for which the CDD budgets and makes decisions. Under the advisory committee structure, only one representative of the Summerfield/Riverwalk Village Association would sit on the committee and advise the council on issues pertaining to his or her district. “The ability to make (decisions) under the charter rests solely (with the city council),� Berns said. “The new committee can give advice about it but can’t make the decision. Even there, the advice is diluted.� Incorporation has no effect on incorporation for the existing HOAs.

RESPONSIVENESS Friends members Bob Hendel and Gary Berns believe the incorporation will lead to a reduction in the quality of service residents now have. With only a few direct city employees, residents may have a harder time having their issues resolved, they said. “When there are complaints, how do you get to the right person?� Hendel said. Pro-incorporators, however, believe operating under a city structure will improve services to residents with the potential to reduce costs through economies of scale. Using contracts for services, the city will better be able to manage the effectiveness of its contrac-

6606 Riverview Blvd $4,295,000 #M5814148 Kathy Valente

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-685-6767

6211 Legends Blvd $962,500 #M5820298 Kym Paxton

5211 21St W Ave $525,000 #M5816252 Debbie Capobianco

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6603 63Rd E Ter $339,000 #M5820561 Antaeus Balevre

5015 58Th E Ter $164,800 #A3945258 Stacy Haas

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3012 Bay Dr $895,000 Cheryl Roberts

tors and improve the overall service residents now have, they said. “The intent is to provide better services to people at the same or less cost,� Davey said. Davey said services would not be affected, because most services already are provided through contracts. Town Hall’s operations department and front desk services could remain as they are. Davey said his group has developed a scope for a future transition plan based on other cities, but it does not plan to fine-tune a transition plan unless incorporation is given a favorable vote in an upcoming straw poll.

FUNDING MECHANISMS

As per the feasibility study, the following are the sources of revenue and potential revenue sources for Lakewood Ranch, if it incorporates: • • • • • • •

Ad valorem taxes Building permits CDD Assessments Charges for services Communication Services Tax Fines and forfeitures Impact fees

• Local Government Half Cent Sales Tax • Local Option Fuel Taxes • Local Option Sales Tax • Municipal Revenue Sharing Program

REVENUES/EXPENSES

As per the feasibility study conducted by Fishkind, revenue and expenditure forecasts for the city of Lakewood Ranch in 2012, for example, would be as follows:

Revenues • Ad Valorem Taxes (MSTU) — $1.64 million • Local Option Fuel Taxes — $988,800 • Communication Services Tax — $284,098 • Building permits — $303,362 • CDD assessments — $10.84 million • Municipal Revenue Sharing — $405,820 • Sales Tax – Half Cent — $921,850 • Charges for services — $398,163 • Fines and forfeitures — $204,037 Total revenues — $15.98 million

Expenditures • City council — $227,522 • City manager (includes all costs of city manager and administration) — $1.04 million • Financial and administrative — $910,086 • City attorney — $189,601 • Planning and zoning — $284,402 • Management information systems — $417,123 • Law enforcement — $548,352 • Transportation — $988,800 • Landscaping — $2.57 million • Debt service — $1.92 million • Environmental — $477,242 • Operations — $1.57 million • Utilities — $1.21 million • Security — $602,778 • Projects — $684,857 • Reserves — $799,152 Total expenditures — $14.45 million

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5861 Ferrara Dr $360,000 #A3937440 Tara Lamb & Judy Greene

Sarasota 941-349-3444 941-266-4873

Braden River 941-907-9595 941-400-1055

723 Foggy Morn Ln $339,000 #A3945462 Howie Drourr

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-812-6476

4819 61St Avenue W Dr # 10A $275,000 #A3944777 Adam Cuffaro

Bradenton 941-752-2683 941-812-0791

4581 Del Sol Blvd S $239,000 #A3945121 Audrey Singer

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-350-2588

5310 19Th W Ave $219,000 #M5820842 Jo Anne Lanza

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311 11Th E Ave $199,900 #A3945067 Diane Fogo Harter

Palmetto 941-907-9595 941-445-2431

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5717 Garden Lakes Palm $150,000 #M5817113 Judy Browning

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5892 Whistlewood Way $145,000 #M5822430 Laura Tracy Clekis

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2607 Waterford Way # B $139,900 #M5820902 Dana Preston

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51083

CDDS AND HOAS

9

bserver O

EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEWS

SPOTLIGHT

Ranch resident recalls work on space shuttle. PAGE 5.

OUR TOWN

TT

+ Observers launch new eEditions Trying to go green? Or, are you simply too anxious to wait for your favorite news about You, Your Neighbors, Your Neighborhood to arrive on your doorstep? Well, you’re in luck. Sign up now to receive The Observer or Pelican Press’ eEdition delivered directly to your inbox before the print edition hits the newsstands. Sponsored exclusively by Signature Sotheby’s International Realty, you can now enjoy a digital replica of the print edition of your favorite Observer newspapers — Longboat, East County, Sarasota and Pelican Press — on your PC, laptop, iPhone, iPad or other mobile devices. Other features of the Observer eEdition include: • Search publications by date and issue • Print, email & share on Facebook • Zoom views • Click-thru to advertiser links Sign up on YourObserver. com by clicking on eEdition in the main navigation tool bar. An email alert will be sent notifying you that your favorite Observer publication is now available for viewing online.

Child actors bring Disney magic to Lakewood Ranch. PAGE 14-15.

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BEAUTY AND THE FEET

A

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

SPORTS

Ranch gymnast wins fifth straight national title. PAGE 21.

TALK OF A TOWN

By Rod Thomson | Editorial Pages Editor

The Observer examines the incorporations of Weston, Wellington and Bonita Springs and how they compare to Lakewood Ranch.

hree

Cities WESTON: PAGE 2 • WELLINGTON: PAGE 3 BONITA SPRINGS: PAGE 3

Lakewood Ranch stands in a long line of Florida cities that have incorporated in recent years, cities whose experience can teach Ranch residents whether becoming a city may be the right choice. It’s simply less costly to learn from others. So the East County Observer tells the tales of three communities in Florida that incorporated in the mid-to-late 1990s and now have a track record. Those communities are: • Weston, in Broward County, which won uncontested incorporation with 90% of voters in favor and has contracted out everything conceivable for a city; • Wellington, in West Palm Beach County, which went through a contentious and close battle for incorporation and has contracted out very little; • Bonita Springs, in Lee County, which falls between the two on both counts, but has been able to redevelop its one historic area and kept the tax rate surprisingly low.

+ Bobcat surprises Lakewood golfer Bill Morris had a rather unusual golfing partner during a recent outing at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. While on the eighth hole of the King’s Dunes course, this bobcat sauntered by to get a better look at Morris’ shot. Submit your wildlife photos to Managing Editor Michael Eng, meng@yourobserver.com.

INDEX Briefs.....................4 Classifieds ..........26

Cops Corner .........13 Crossword ............25

Opinion..................6 Neighborhood ......13

Sports..................21 Weather ...............25

Vol. 12, No. 28 | One section <RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

2

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

WESTON: CITY GOVERNMENT LITE

gain control of its own growth management and would keep more if its property tax dollars in Indian Trace. nally approved for 25,000 dwell“Prior to incorporating, we ing units, later reduced to 17,000. were under the governance of the The developer created the In- Broward County Board of County dian Trace Community Develop- Commissioners sitting in downparticularly Wellington, Weston ment District to govern the com- town Fort Lauderdale 20 miles breezed to city-hood with little munity. The structure is similar away,� Flint said. opposition and an ultimate vote to Lakewood Ranch’s own CDDs. That rankled residents, who did The first homes were built in not feel the county commissionof 90% in favor. Getting nine out of 10 people to agree on anything 1984, and by 1991, there were ers, often consumed with other is a rarity, but the city did it in a more than 5,000 residents in In- issues, paid much attention to post-Labor Day election that dian Trace and residents became the city’s growth needs. Indeed, drew a surprisingly high 40% vot- the majority on the Board of Su- the community had no represenpervisors of the CDD. In 1994, an tative on the county commission. er turnout. incorporation feasibility study Plus, like so many upscale, unwas conducted, con- incorporated areas, Indian Trace Nearly obstacle free cluding that if the was a net donor of tax dollars, Weston was an Arvida Corp. community incor- meaning that more taxes were master-planned comporated, it sent to the county coffers than munity known as w o u l d the community received back in Indian Trace and origiservices. Flint sums up the driving factors for incorporation in two words: “Zoning and cash.� There were not many obstacles. Arvida Corp. was worried it might lose its entitlements to develop its properties the way the county had approved. So proponents included in the charter that Weston contracts out every service in the the developer would retain all of city, including police, to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, to keep overhead low. The city of its vested development rights, 64,000 residents employs nine people but has services including motorcycle patrol dedicated to Weston. SEE WESTON / PAGE 8

Weston has put the concept of contracting out for government services on steroids — and wouldn’t have it any other way. Of all the chamber of commerce-type promotions for Weston, there is one thing that screams its success as a young city. It is not the 14 city parks in which leaders take great pride. It’s not the rather lavish new city hall building. It’s not the full range of police, fire and rescue, building and zoning and community services in place. It’s not even the full control of its growth future and self-determination, which is indeed one of the major benefits proponents of incorporation sought. Rather, it’s this rather eye-popping stat for a city of 64,000 residents. Total number of city employees: nine. Weston is as fully contracted out a city as is possible. All nine employees are directors of a department of the city but largely act as contract control agents with the 30 major private contractors handling the work of the city.

“We kept our promise; it works,� said City Manager John Flint, a longtime resident who was a CDD supervisor before the city incorporated. Like Bonita Springs and Wellington, Weston has outsourced its police department to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and also kept the fire and rescue operations through the county. But Weston went even further, contracting out for everything from planning and zoning down to the receptionist at the desk entering City Hall. “We have the lowest tax rate in Broward County,� Flint said. But there is more to it. A recent study for Broward County found that when all taxes, fees and other governmental assessments on citizens are combined, Weston becomes the cheapest place in the county to live — at least as far as government expenses go. And unlike some other cities,

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Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-587-4359

3461 Bayou Sound $1,999,000 #A3939678 Jeffrey Porterfield

Longboat Key 941-907-9595 941-228-1047

7617 Portstewart Dr Lakewood Ranch $589,000 #M5820193 941-907-9595 Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777

3503 10Th W St $559,000 #M5821149 Dana Preston

6240 Champions Row St $300,000 #M5820283 Kym Paxton

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-932-5511

5987 Benevento Dr $299,900 #A3945246 Susanne Cosgrove-Lee

728 Estuary Dr # 728 $172,900 #M5820630 Jo Anne Lanza

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-518-6507

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1900 Gulf N Dr # 7 Holmes Beach/Bradenton Beach $1,200,000 #M5812546 941-748-6300 Peggy Horlander 941-932-7199

6326 Midnight Pass Rd # 107 $899,900 #M5820626 Laura Tracy Clekis

Siesta Key 941-748-6300 941-915-4167

1425 Gulf Of Mexico Dr # 105 $679,000 #A3945723 Susan Fox

Palmetto 941-748-6300 941-705-5510

1891 Buccaneer Cir $550,000 #A3945600 Marcia Salkin & Paulene Soublis

Sarasota 941-383-7591 941-376-6121

12723 Penguin Dr $449,000 #M5822553 Stephen Strong

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-201-9662

3772 Aster Dr $325,000 Alix Wexler PA

Sarasota 941-349-3444 941-400-9068

621 Foggy Morn Ln $299,000 #A3944267 Howie Drourr

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-812-6476

140 Riviera Dunes Way # 306 $229,900 #M5821819 Joe Foster

Palmetto 941-907-9595 941-812-7634

4307 Gulf Dr # 103 Holmes Beach/Bradenton Beach $199,000 #M5818802 941-748-6300 Cheryl Roberts 941-266-1450

7187 Boca Grove Pl # 204 Lakewood Ranch $189,000 #A3933357 941-907-9595 Sherwin Taradash, PA 941-448-3301

8733 Spruce Hills Ct # 8733 Lakewood Ranch $155,000 #A3945633 941-907-9595 Sabrina Fusco-Sullivan 941-302-0337

3218 Cambridge W Dr $139,900 #M5821346 Neddy Harkins

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-730-4941

4508 Park Lake N Ter # 9 $129,900 #M5818316 Kathy Valente

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-685-6767

6101 34Th W St # 32G $125,000 #A3939000 Phyllis Woodroof

3304 Cambridge W Dr $123,900 #M5817616 Debbie Capobianco

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Longboat Key 941-383-7591 941-544-6648

5421 46Th W Ct # 104 $595,000 #A3945621 Adam Cuffaro

Bradenton 941-752-2683 941-812-0791

Sarasota 941-349-3444 941-350-2742

4317 Oak View Dr $314,000 #A3945349 Valerie Telfair

Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-315-5488

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-350-0951

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-704-2394

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

3

WELLINGTON: CITY BY A NECK Wellington overcame intense opposition to become a city, maintaining its equestrian culture but seeing taxes rise. Wellington is renowned as the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” but the West Palm Beach County city is more than that as an example for Lakewood Ranch residents to consider. Wellington presents a completely different incorporation model as compared to the city of Weston, with Bonita Springs falling somewhere between the two. But it also offers some close comparisons to Lakewood Ranch in its quest to become a city. Wellington’s municipal setup is more of a traditional city. The city, incorporated in 1996 (the year after Weston), contracts out only for police through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and firefighting through the county. Wellington has 265 employees and a $74.5 million budget — although that is down from the peak a few years ago. City Manager Paul Schofield said Wellington took a long look in 2001 at the Weston model of contracting out everything and having only nine city employees. But in the end, the city “discarded” that operational method for one reason.

“It was responsiveness for us,” Schofield said. “Customer service was more important.” Wellington leaders believed the city could provide better customer service on everything from utilities to planning approvals to code enforcement by having it done by city employees, rather than contracted out to private companies. It is a somewhat counterintuitive line of thinking for those who believe the private sector generally does things better than the government, as Weston city leaders believe they have shown.

Strawberries and horses

Wellington’s well-known equestrian industry is actually pre-dated by the land known as the largest strawberry farm in Florida at the time. The Acme Drainage District had been created by the Florida Legislature in the early 1950s to drain the land and protect it from flooding for agriculture. More than 2,000 acres turned it into the largest strawberry patch in the world at the time and set the stage for the later horse events.

The district was uniquely quasigovernmental, with municipal powers except law enforcement, including zoning and code enforcement. The developers, who eventually went through two bankruptcies and multiple sales to other companies, won approval in 1973 for the first Planned Unit Development in Palm Beach County. A joint venture between the Investment Corporation of Florida and Alcoa Aluminum was formed to begin building houses after the PUD was approved. ICOF later bought out Alcoa and then sold its properties to Gould Florida, a division of Gould Electronics, which built the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, thus establishing the equestrian culture that has come to identify Wellington. The area grew rapidly. What had been 100 boondocks residents in the 1960s grew to about 20,000 by 1995, when members of the community began the move for incorporation. It was an affluent community with high property values. “(Backers) felt they weren’t getting good services from Palm

Wellington decided contracting out most services was not the best way to go for customer service, Wellington City Manager Paul Schofield said. Beach County, that they were an afterthought,” Schofield said. “It was true.” So it came down to the same reason as for so many others. “The most important issue was home rule: You control your destiny with incorporation,” said Dr. Carmine Priore, a longtime Wellington resident, proponent of incorporation and a city commissioner during most of the city’s life.

Intense battle

Francine Ramaglia is a native of Wellington, growing up in one of the first houses built in 1976. She moved away for jobs in government but returned home when the city was birthed. “I came back to do incorporation. I came back to make history,” said Ramaglia, now the as-

SEE WELLINGTON / PAGE 9

BONITA SPRINGS: SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM Bonita Springs seems to have everything going for it from a 1999 incorporation into a city, including lower taxes and self-determination. Bonita Springs may be the poster child for incorporation. Because of many wealthy, gated communities, the area was a tax donor to Lee County coffers because it sent far more than it received in services. But it also had some older, blighted areas far from the Fort Myers political center of the county. Eleven years into life as a city, the community has a dedicated police force of 16 officers on contract from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, new parks and cleanedup blighted areas, a downtown band shell and park that can hold 10,000 people, beefed up code enforcement, multiple environmental lands purchases and one salient fact for everyone involved: Taxes are lower living within the city than in the unincorporated county. In essence, the city is far ahead of where it would have been, while saving money for residents. For a resident of Bonita Springs, the tax rate on top of the basic county rate is .826 mills. (One mill is $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.) Residents in unincorporated Lee County, pay a rate on top of the basic county rate called the un-

incorporated MSTU of one mill. That’s because the promise of keeping Bonita Springs’ highproperty-value gated community taxes within the city has been kept. “It’s counterintuitive, but it’s actually cheaper to live in the city,” said Mayor Ben Nelson, who has been on the Bonita Springs City Council since its inception in 1999.

Second time around

In a quirk of history, Bonita Springs’ 1999 incorporation was actually its second time around as a city. It was a municipality from 1925-1932, but dissolved during the Great Depression, so Lee County could pay for the light bill. Literally. A 1965 attempt to incorporate was voted down 441-99. But by the late 1990s, things were different. The Bonita Bay Group had built several large, upscale gated communities with golf courses. The area was booming with people and money and the sense was growing that the residents were subsidizing other parts of Lee County. The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce commissioned an incorporation study in 1997

The popular Riverside Park band shell sits on the site of a former run-down old mobile home park and came about as a result of incorporation. that found incorporation made financial sense. (Ironically, oneand-one-half years later, the chamber voted against incorporating, feeling services were good enough and its members fearing tax increases — a fear that turned out to be unfounded.) In March 1998, the Bonita Springs Incorporation Committee was formed to study and educate the population on the issue, starting out with a neutral position. But by spring 1999, the committee was fully committed to creating a city. “It was a no-brainer,” Hal Brenner, president of the commit-

WELLINGTON 1995 Council-Manager 55,600 $211,200 2.5 mills 265 $74.5 million

By comparison

No two communities are exactly alike, but of the three cities the East County Observer is profiling, Bonita Springs is probably least like Lakewood Ranch.

AMENITIES

A CLOSER LOOK ITEM Incorporated Govt. type Population Ave. home value Tax rate Employees Budget

tee, told the Naples Daily News at the time. The goal was to deliver higher services and cut taxes slightly while gaining local control. “Government lite” was the catch phrase; most government services would be outsourced and Bonita Springs would avoid creating a big bureaucracy.

BONITA SPRINGS 1999 Council-Manager 43,900 $222,900 0.83 mills 60 $22.0 million

WESTON 1996 Commission-Manager 65,800 $274,500 2 mills 9 $100.4 million*

Sources: Cities of Wellington, Bonita Springs and Weston, Zillow.com * Includes the Indian Trace water and sewer district and other Indian Trace development district funds totaling $45.7 million.

Weston: Community center, skate park, 14 municipal parks and recreational facilities Wellington: Wellington Ampitheater, Wellington Aquatics Complex, Patriot Memorial, community center, 26 community parks Bonita Springs: Community park (including B3 Skate Park, softball fields, tennis courts, community pool, disc golf course and more), Riverside Park, 10 beach access points

Bonita Springs has some historically old communities, an old-Florida flavor in places and even some old-Florida shtick parks, such as Everglades Wonder Gardens on Old U.S. 41. It also has some small, impoverished areas. But near the Gulf of Mexico, the city boasts rows of upscale condo high rises and exclusive gated communities. In some ways, it is early Florida Oneco meets Longboat Key. Lakewood Ranch makes up a much narrower swath of demog-

SEE BONITA SPRINGS / PAGE 9

ONLINE Weston: www.westonfl.org Wellington: www. ci.wellington.fl.us Bonita Springs: www.cityof bonitasprings.org

SIZE Weston: 26.28 square miles Bonita Springs: 41 square miles Wellington: 31.4 square miles Lakewood Ranch: 48 square miles Source: U.S. Census Bureau

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

Weston City Manager John Flint and his department directors are more contract managers as they have no in-house staffs. Even the receptionist at City Hall is a private sector employee.

WESTON/PAGE 2 and those would only change if the developer requested it. Also, Broward County firefighters were apprehensive that the new city would start its own fire department, risking their job security. “They worried those of us in favor were empire building,” Flint said. It was a matter of education and promise-keeping to assuage those fears. The education paid off when 40% of the residents voted the day after Labor Day in 1996 to become the city of Weston.

Promises kept

Flint makes the conversion from upscale subdivisions and golf courses to city sound pretty easy. In fact, it was for Weston. With almost no opposition and overwhelming resident support, the leaders of the new city

needed only to not overplay their newfound powers and create a monster. They didn’t. As Flint repeats, they kept their promise and have shaved the city to as small a size as possible. But the city parents also developed a good handle on what the first five years of being a city would cost and whether an incorporated Weston was up to the task of maintaining infrastructure. Surprises in that area could have changed the Weston tale, but they turned out to have good order in those first years. Flint said there is nothing they would change in the charter. On the promise of keep city overhead small, Weston unarguably has met or exceeded expectations. The entire staff of the city of Weston, population 64,000, is the city manager, assistant city manager, chief financial officer, chief operating officer, treasurer, city clerk, director of

communications, director of parks and recreation and director of landscaping. Everyone else is a private-sector employee on contract with the city. But Weston also has been increasing its millage rate every year since 2006 — when it was about 1.5 mills — to the current level of 2 mills. Weston has built itself a well appointed, $6 million City Hall. The 15,000-square-foot facility houses the department heads, contract secretaries, meeting rooms and the commission chambers. Weston has some other unique arrangements, including maintaining the Indian Trace CDD as a simpler development district that issued bonds and assessed fees for infrastructure needs. But it was retained as a “dependent district,” meaning the Weston City Commissioners and the district’s board are the same people. Weston also has annexed some properties since becoming a city, including land along U.S. 27, which is now the city’s western border with the Everglades, and property along Interstate 75 and State Road 84. The development of Bonaventure also voted to become part of Weston in 1997. But it is not the unique arrangements, the tiny size of city government or the lower taxes that makes Weston’s story. The story is written by a lot of people who find a unique home in the city in the middle of Southeast Florida’s 5.5 million-person hubbub. Weston was named one of the 25 most affordable suburbs in 1996 in the United States by BusinessWeek.com and was named “One of America’s Best Small Cities” by Money Magazine in 2008, one of only three Florida cities.

WELLINGTON/PAGE 3 sistant city manager. Like Priore, she is intimately familiar with the dynamics driving incorporation, and the split within the community. The reasoning for incorporating was the same as in Weston and Bonita Springs and the argument that backers make for Lakewood Ranch: Keep tax money within the affluent community and provide for home rule. “We didn’t keep any money; it all went downtown,” she said, as developers were building roads and putting in infrastructure. The Wellington community was a nearly 100% donor community, because newer structures rarely burned down and crime was almost non-existent. “We wanted home rule, selfdetermination and the money to do what we wanted to do,” said Priore, as passionate a promoter of the city as anyone. But maintaining lifestyle as a city was a key element of the opposition. This was particularly true for those involved in Wellington’s equestrian culture, who worried that their way of life would be endangered, that the large acreage would be divided up for more parcels and that taxes would soar. “We had a very well orchestrated group who did not want to incorporate,” Priore said. “Some individuals made it their life’s work to stop us from incorporating. They were vehemently opposed.” Similar to some of Lakewood Ranch’s opposition, those opposed to the Wellington incorporation were from New York and New Jersey and had seen corruption and powerful unions running Northern cit-

ies and did not want to see that happen to Wellington. They extrapolated their experiences up North onto Wellington and they were ardent. Proponents changed some charter elements to placate opponents, such as setting a 5-mill property tax cap and instituting term limits. Both sides hired top lobbyists in Tallahassee to stop the incorporation bill from passing the Legislature — a fairly unusual event — and then both mounted regular campaigns to win over a majority of residents. It was tenuous and in the end, the pro-incorporation people won narrowly by 400 votes. “We overcame by proving the fact that we would benefit more from being a city than part of the county,” Priore said. “We focused on the principle of selfdetermination.”

Working through division

That difficult fight to incorporate meant the city’s first leaders were faced with governing a divided population. In the first election, 30 people ran for the five city commission seats, making for a chaotic start. The city charter required a runoff if no one reached a majority of votes, and that happened every election until the charter was changed to allow a plurality if the winner received more than 35%. The result was a fractious beginning. But those elected, entirely backers, were committed to fulfilling their promises. Over the years, most of the opponents moved from Wellington. Those who ran never won. City leaders have maintained

WELLINGTON/PAGE 9

60111

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2011

BONITA SPRINGS/PAGE 3

Wellington’s 9-11 memorial is nearly complete, including two pieces from the World Trade Center. The memorial is an example of the sense of united community that can come with being a city. identity and facilities. The city has created a medical arts district for future growth around the existing Wellington Regional Medical Center. Plus, the city has built a public amphitheater, children’s park, an aquatics park, 16-court tennis facility and most recently finished a 9-11 memorial. City leaders claim that much of this has been done with money that would have been going to the county to be spent elsewhere. The debate periodically comes up about Wellington having its own police force. But Schofield thinks it is unwise. He said the city has 54 patrol officers, plus sergeants, a lieutenant and a district commander — who is referred to as police chief. They all act as Wellington police, staying within the city limits. “If they are assigned to Wellington, that is where they work,” Schofield said. If Money magazine is any guide, Wellington has done all right with its decision, taking the 72nd spot on the magazine’s top 100 Best Places to Live.

WELLINGTON/PAGE 8 the important equestrian culture. Driving from the north part of Wellington, where the subdivisions and golf courses are located, to the south end is a dramatic change. The large lots, the narrower roads, the polo facilities. On the lifestyle point, the opponents were wrong. “We have indeed preserved the diversity of lifestyles,” Ramaglia said. But it is also true that taxes are higher. Just not much. A resident of Wellington pays about 25 mills total on their property tax bill, with one mill equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Of that, 2.5 mills is collected by the city. The rest is assessed by the county, school district and special taxing districts at the county level. And if the community were still unincorporated, residents would be paying a Municipal Services Taxing Unit not far from the city tax. Wellington has reaped some normal dividends of being a city, mostly in controlling growth,

raphy, dominated by middle-class and upper-middle-class communities. And there are plenty of differences between the 1998-99 Bonita Springs incorporation effort and the 2010-2011 Lakewood Ranch effort as well. First, there was no organized opposition to incorporation. Part of the reason, according to many involved at the time, was that almost no one gave incorporation a chance at passage. Of course, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch has organized well in advance to oppose it here. Second, even after the Legislature approved Bonita Springs holding a referendum for cityhood, there was little public interest at first. Four information meetings in the spring of 1999 — the year of the vote — averaged a sleepy 26 residents. By comparison, a debate sponsored by the East County Observer in May attracted more than 300 people long before the Legislature even votes on any Lakewood Ranch incorporation, if it ever does. Of course, that is largely a result of having organized opposition. By the time of the vote in November 1999, residents were convinced it was a good idea, convincingly voting in favor 4,262 to 3,101 with 58% turnout. But Bonita Springs was starting from scratch. “We literally didn’t own a pencil,” Nelson said. The first order of business was buying office supplies. The first Bonita Springs City Council was elected in April.

Timing, timing, timing

Bonita Springs could not have incorporated at a better moment.

The next decade saw enormous growth in both population and property values. The population was about 32,000 in 2000, shortly after incorporation, and grew to about 44,000 in 2010. Property values went from about $160,000 in 2000 to $470,000 during the peak of the bubble in 2006. They are now at about $223,000. A major challenge was keeping to the “government lite” promise. But city leaders largely have done so, albeit not to the same degree as Weston. Bonita Springs has about 60 full-time employees. For a city of 45,000, that is quite low. Sarasota, for example, with a population of about 52,000 has 721 employees. “‘Government lite’ works amazingly well if you are not wed to it,” Nelson said. The city found that as it grew, it made sense to bring some things in-house. Code enforcement was one of those, because it can be such an intimate relationship with residents and businesses. The Bonita Springs Fire Department and all utilities remain independent of city government — but are devoted to the city. Plus, the police department is on contract from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

A decade of change

People who have lived in Bonita Springs for more than a decade marvel at the change that has occurred. Some of it was bound to happen, because all of Southwest Florida was engulfed in the housing boom and associated commercial construction that followed the rooftops. Tamiami Trail through Bonita Springs was an open stretch of road whisking people through at 55 mph. No real reason to stop.

9

Today, it is six lanes to eight lanes lined with shopping centers covering the range from affordable to upscale. Much more impressive, however, is the old, poor parts where Old U.S. 41 crosses the Imperial River (more of a lazy stream) that had been the epicenter of the city 50 years ago but by 1999 was a rundown embarrassment. In fact, right on the shores of the river were two dilapidated mobile home parks. One of the early orders of business for the new city was to buy those parks and remove the mobile homes. On one side, the city built Riverside Park that features the large band shell, the historic Liles Hotel as a small community center, fountains, a playground, a kayaking center and other amenities. Most people you talk to have been to events at the park and love it, from the Christmas festivities that include “snow” to the Fourth of July parades. People who have been around do not doubt that incorporating into a city was the key to the renovation of historic old Bonita Springs and that without it, the area would remain an impoverished backwater of neglect. Another element that came only with the city was increased levels of service, from several fire department stations within the city to a full-size police force and stronger code enforcement for what the city has agreed it wants. Dep. Mayor John Spear sums up the incorporation this way: “The feasibility study … promised modestly increased levels of service and the same or very modest decreases in property taxes. … The result was very high increased levels of service and more than modest property tax decreases.”

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011

Q&A: Friends of Lakewood Ranch Opponents of the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch answer readers’ questions. 1. What is the effect on Manatee

4. If the straw poll shows the

majority of residents support incorporation, how will your group respond? The straw poll must have been fair and unbiased, and must have been conducted in a valid, impartial manner to have validity — conducted by a nationallyrecognized, third-party polling firm; all residents included via mailing with substantial time for vacationers/snow-birds to respond; unbiased questions; and observers from the Incorporation Study Group and Friends of Lakewood present during ballot count. If all the aforementioned is met, and a majority of 60% or greater of residents are in favor of incorporation, we still have to present our signed petitions that oppose incorporation to our legislators and point out the deficiencies in the Fishkind report to them and the Legislature as a whole.

5. Are there any changes that

could be made to the proposed city charter that would make you support incorporation? If the residents wish to change their mode of government, the whole drafting process should be opened up to give the residents a chance to choose what kind of a city government they may want. Charter questions should start at the bottom and work up to the neighborhoods and homeowners associations. The residents should be given a chance to go forward without losing the things that made them buy here in the first place, the things that make

Lakewood special. This process would take time, which would let the economy recover.

6. Dr. Hank Fishkind men-

tioned risks in his feasibility study conclusion, but nowhere in the 45 pages does he have a table, figures or text regarding those risks. What are these risks? A key justification for incorporation has been the Fishkind study. However, the report doesn’t contain any analysis of the risks that could significantly affect its conclusions. On Fishkind’s website, he admits, “Every analytical tool has its limitations. … Furthermore, the projection of costs and revenues associated with land use decisions can only be as accurate as the data used for the assumptions.” Understanding the risk, the model’s conclusions are grossly wrong. Data and model inaccuracies are critical to making an incorporation decision. This is problematical because much of the data with respect to costs was calculated in the same way as it was in the Casey Key study rejected by a committee of the Legislature.

7. What is your funding source? With the exception of one corporate donor that contributed equally to both sides and about $75, all funding has come from members of the executive and steering committees — all Lakewood residents. The funds have been used for printing and internet purposes with a reserve for advertising.

ration on small-business owners. The effect on business owners would likely be an increase in taxes. This would occur because the ratio of homeowners to businesses is high. Business owners do not have a vote unless they reside in Lakewood. Whenever a need for increased tax revenue occurs, the first place politicians look for revenue is the business community. This avoids raising taxes on homeowners because they have the votes. Taxing businesses solves the revenue problem in the short run but creates problems in the future. When the tax burden on business becomes too high, the business relocates and that revenue is lost. Homeowner taxes will increase to make up for the lost revenue.

9. Is there a problem with the

amount of reserves the CDDs have currently? The adequacy of reserves depends on a creditable benchmark for the necessary amount of reserves. Fortunately, we have two. The Government Financial Offers Association guideline is 17% of budget and the bond rating agencies’ is 8% to 15%. With the exception of CDD 4, which is essentially controlled by the incorporators, the other CDDs have total reserves that satisfy at least one of these guidelines. Reserves generally are not intended to meet a once-ina-generation catastrophe such as a Category 5 hurricane. This is the role of insurance and lines of credit. It would be grossly unfair to assess today’s homeowners for millions of dollars that may never be spent or spent in 20 years when they are no longer residents.

Visit our website to read the full Q&A. www.YourObserver.com

60306

tion with the city. All will remain concerned residents. Inasmuch County should Lakewood Ranch as we have hundreds of members, incorporate? we cannot be further specific — Incorporators claim the city we have not polled our would get a share of the entire membership. taxes paid by Lakewood residents that now go 3. What are the speto Manatee. If true, the cific problems with the county would suffer way that Lakewood a revenue loss exactly Ranch is currently being equal to the revenue managed that would gain of the city at a time warrant a substantive when the county can ill change? afford it. In 2012, ManaWe cannot think of tee’s loss is projected Gary Berns any substantive probby the incorporators’ lem except irrigation, a feasibility study to be $2.6 problem that is being admillion, with a cumuladressed. Incorporation tive 10-year loss of about will not fix it any faster. $27 million. The county We now have five nearby will have to make up for supervisors to handle this by increasing other our issues with rapid fees and/or taxes and/or responses, no waiting for cutting services and/or five councilpersons who increasing the city’s price have the whole Ranch for contracted services Bob Hendel to supervise. We don’t (law enforcement). The pay for choices made feasibility study does not by other villages. Our county provide sufficient information to calculate any reduction in county services are good — the county is resurfacing several Summerfield expenses. roads — not so under incorporation. The county will keep all 2. Should incorporation pass, the monies we have paid it for how do you envision your role in road improvement purposes as the new government? part of our taxes. Assessments None of Gary Berns, Bob Steare flat; we have economies of pelman, Nancy Johnson, Reg Titscale in outsourcing services combe, Bob Hendel, Mike Spring, and staff support for Lakewood. Joan Brummer, Charlie Brummer, Our HOAs share these services; Fred Braun, Stan Pearlman and under incorporation they will Bob Swiatek — the members of have to find alternative financial the executive committee and steering committee of the Friends support. Under CDDs, we enjoy a strong voice in our neighborof Lakewood Ranch — has any hood, village, variable expenses intention of running for the city and Lakewood tax rates. council or seeking any posi-

8. Explain the effects of incorpo-

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2011

Proponents of the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch answer readers’ questions. 1. Should incorporation pass,

CDDs can increase revenue is to how do you envision your role in raise taxes. They have no other the new government? sources of revenue. Thomaides: I have no desire to A five-member council would ever run for any kind of replace the 25 CDD political office. supervisors and IDA. Davey: Based on my Many safety and security experience and knowlissues could be improved edge as a member of with the passage of local the study group, I would ordinances and increased volunteer to assist with patrol services contracted the transitional activities on a citywide basis with required to successfully the sheriff. Zoning and become the city of Lakecode compliance would wood Ranch. I have not Keith Davey be controlled by the city. made any other decisions The city could establish at this time. lines of credit and issue All other members of bonds at more favorable the group have indicated rates. The city would be they do not intend to run able to start building for City Council. appropriate reserves for natural disasters without 2. What are the specific needing to raise taxes. problems with the way Public roads would be that Lakewood Ranch is paved by the city, instead currently being managed Tom Thomaides of waiting for the county. that would warrant a The City Council would substantive change? be able to ensure that the The current management overall look and feel of the Ranch system with five CDDs (25 CDD is maintained at a consistent level supervisors) and the IDA is as we continue to grow. fragmented and ineffective as documented in recent CDD and 3. If the straw poll shows the HOA workshops. majority of residents oppose inCDDs have no long-range corporation, how will your group plans. Aging infrastructure and respond? major landscaping issues will If the straw vote fails, we will need to be addressed. Adequate disband and put our work on the reserves have not been estabshelf. It is possible that another lished to cover contingencies or group will take the matter fornecessary infrastructure mainteward at a future time. nance/ replacement. The overall look and feel of the Ranch has 4. Why is the proposed city charbeen declining for several years. ter is the best option for LakeCDDs have a limited ability to wood Ranch becoming a city? borrow money. The only way We studied more than 50 char-

ters and focused on the demographically similar city charters in Weston, Bonita Springs, Wellington and Palm Coast. It was clear these newer communities adopted a viable system, and we came to the same conclusion — that professional management through the council (as policymakers) and city manager (as administrator) was the most effective way to operate a city. All 24 cities incorporated in Florida since 1984 have chosen this council/manager form of government. Five districts with residency requirements and citywide voting would assure the council members have a citywide view. The contract city concepts in practice in Weston, Sandy Springs, Ga., and other cities across the country allow these cities to more effectively respond to economic upturns and downturns and avoid labor issues, employee benefit cost and other problems. The city government would not be another layer of government because the CDDs will be transitioned to a city council-governed special district. The existing CDD boards as well as the Inter-District Authority would be eliminated.

be a major flaw in the validity of the data, assumptions, methodology or calculations contained in the study. To that point, the study was conducted by one of the leading economists in Florida. Estimates used were intentionally conservative (revenues low end/ expenses high end). Our group spent months reviewing the study to confirm we understood the details and were comfortable before moving forward. We performed a sensitivity analysis assuming zero growth for the next 10 years. We also contracted with Dr. Tim Chapin, chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at FSU to conduct an independent evaluation of the study. When submitted to the Florida Legislature, committees will perform their own review and reject the study if they find any issues.

6. What is your funding source?

Since the study was published, 52 contributions totaling $31,600 have been received from residents and businesses. These have been used to fund Dr. Chapin’s report, development of formal city and district boundary descriptions, the straw poll, IRS filing requirements and advertising.

5. Dr. Hank Fishkind mentioned 7. Explain the effects of incorporisks in his feasibility study conclusion, but nowhere in the 45 pages does he have a table, figures or text regarding those risks. What are these risks? Because the purpose of a feasibility study is to determine financial viability of incorporation, the primary potential risk would

ration on small-business owners. Incorporation would be extremely beneficial for the business community. It immediately raises the overall stature and brand identity of the Ranch. Decision-making responsibility will be with a five-member City Council — all residents of the

Ranch — versus Manatee and Sarasota commissioners. The Ranch could become a hub for business activity and economic leadership on the Gulf Coast. As a city and a brand, the Ranch will be a player at local and national industry conferences to promote the Ranch, specifically, and not just the two-county area. We will have access to state block grant funds and tax incentives to bring new corporations to the Ranch.

8. Is there a problem with the

amount of reserves the CDDs have currently? CDDs are responsible for maintaining appropriate reserves to cover unanticipated expenditures, revenue shortfalls, maintenance/replacement of infrastructure, as well as contingency reserves in case a natural disaster occurs (such as a hurricane). The Government Finance Officers Association recommends an unrestricted reserve balance of a minimum of two months of general-fund operating revenues or expenditures. Restricted reserves for infrastructure items should be based on estimated useful life and repair/replacement cost. Reserves should be built over time. If the above criteria are applied to the CDDs today, there are major shortfalls. And it’s actually going the wrong way. Total CDD reserves as of Sept. 30, 2010, were about $2.21 million. As of May 31, CDD reserves were about $1.64 million — a decrease of more than 25%. By comparison, Palmetto, with a smaller population than the Ranch, had reserves as of Sept. 10, 2001, of more than $17 million.

Visit our website to read the full Q&A. www.YourObserver.com

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7909 Wyndham Ct University Park $499,000 #A3942078 941-907-9595 Nancy Phillips 941-400-6078

5014 Kestral Park S Way $475,000 #A3945772 Tara Lamb & Judy Greene

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8477 Eagle Preserve Way $429,000 #A3945808 Kathy Lewis

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7821 Senrab Dr $414,900 #M5819109 Jo Anne Lanza

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7739 Us Open Loop Lakewood Ranch $349,000 #M5822520 941-907-9595 Deborah Angelo O'Mara 941-730-0777

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Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-928-9197

2715 Terra Ceia Bay Blvd # 202 $275,000 #M5817475 Dana Preston

Palmetto 941-748-6300 941-705-5510

4886 Sabal Lake Cir $260,000 #A3940796 Christina Ashley

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891 Greystone Ln $219,900 #A3937726 Marcia Salkin & Paulene Soublis

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Sarasota 941-349-3444 941-350-5542

4030 Prado Dr $145,000 Sandra Maslen

Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-726-0035

5028 Vassar Ln $144,900 #A3943269 Michelle Crabtree

Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-724-4663

7705 Grand Estuary Trl # 204 $139,900 #A3942148 Heidi Cox

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-685-1529

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Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-915-4167

1637 Southwood St # 1637 $114,900 #A3945450 W Edward Tarr

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Bradenton 941.748.6300 s )-' !CADEMIES s ,AKEWOOD 2ANCH s -AIN 3TREET 3ARASOTA s 3T !RMANDS s 3OUTH ,ONGBOAT s 3IESTA +EY

51085

Q&A: Incorporation Study Group

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011

in-depth By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

INCORORATION: Better for Business? This week, business owners in Lakewood Ranch share how incorporation may affect their ability to do business locally and beyond. L A K E W O O D identity in November RANCH — To date, 2008. And in October much of the debate 2010, Lakewood Ranch about the incorpobecame the first place ration of Lakewood in the country to utilize Ranch has settled Microsoft’s new TAG around its impacts to technology, a new 2-D residents. But busibar-coding technology. nesses certainly will Although some busifeel the impact as well. ness owners say those Ranch business accomplishments, owners, like residents, along with Lakewood offer mixed feelings on EDITOR’S NOTE: Ranch’s maturation, the topic. For some, This is the fifth have given — and will there are still too many in a summer-long continue to give — unknowns. But for series regarding the business commuothers, taking the leap Lakewood Ranch nity the recognition of faith to become a incorporation. it needs, others feel city — or at least to incorporating will add send the idea to the more benefit to the state Legislature for review — is discussion. worth the potential impacts. For example, Cerreta said the “We’re split,” said Realtor Craig U.S. Office of Management and Cerreta, who chairs the Lakewood Budget includes only incorporatRanch Business Alliance’s Gov- ed areas — North Port, Sarasota, ernmental Affairs Committee. Bradenton, Venice and Long“Just like in the residential com- boat Key — on its metropolitan munity, we’ve got people (for and statistical area list. Becoming a against).” city would give Lakewood Ranch more stature in the region and more influence in economic deWHAT’S IN A NAME? The community of Lakewood velopment, he said. Although the Ranch would not Ranch already has received accolades nationwide for its use of gre- have its own economic developenways and trails, green building ment council, the city would work with the Sarasota and Manatee and other characteristics. The U.S. Postal Service opened groups to better business in the a Lakewood Ranch branch, giving area and have more of an impact the community more of its own in decisions as they are made.

TALK OF A TOWN

“It literally gives you more weight at the table,” Cerreta said. The designation also would offer more long-term benefits in terms of branding and name recognition. Cerreta said people outside the area already are recognizing Lakewood Ranch as a unique community, but incorporating would only further that momentum. Business owner John Fain, coowner of Grapevine Communications, agreed. The Lakewood Ranch resident makes his livelihood in the value of marketing businesses. Fain said his company immediately adopted the use of the Lakewood Ranch name when the postal service recognized it back in November 2008. “It gave us a unique identity,” Fain said. “In doing that, it’s allowed us to be more independent. In the local market, it has been a positive to be Lakewood Ranch because we are able to market into both Sarasota and Manatee counties easily. “We’ve encouraged other clients in Lakewood Ranch to adopt the Lakewood Ranch brand right away,” he said. “It’s one of those things that allows you to have a (distinct) identity. That was the first step in creating a new brand.” The name change, he said, has fostered a more cohesive identity for Lakewood Ranch, which is considered “Bradenton” in Manatee County and “Sarasota” in Sarasota County even though the area is miles away from ei-

BUSINESS ALLIANCE REMAINS NEUTRAL The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will not take a formal position on the issue of incorporation. Alliance President Bobbi Larson said both sides of the debate have offered valid arguments, and the alliance ther county’s downtown. Incorporating, as Fain sees it, would benefit Ranch’s businesses by giving them a unique identity. Don Baugh, co-owner of Vanessa Fine Jewelry, agreed. “It would put Lakewood Ranch more in the spotlight and make it more of a destination location,” Baugh said. But Leslie Swart, managing partner for Blue Skye Lending, said Lakewood Ranch businesses already are getting that brand recognition. “It’s already considered Lakewood Ranch,” Swart said. “People already think it’s a city.” John Saputo, owner of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, and Jack Cox, president of Halfacre Construction, shared Swart’s sentiments. Moreover, Saputo has pledged his support to the antiincorporation group, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, citing he would rather work with Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch than a Lakewood Ranch City Council. “A corporate staff like SMR is much more responsive and time-

remains uncertain. “There’s a lot of information we feel like is missing,” Larson said. “Many of our members may work in Lakewood Ranch but they don’t live in Lakewood Ranch so they would not be included in the straw poll.” ly,” he said in a Friends press release. “Their educated and practical staff has more of a ‘can-do’ attitude than any bureaucrat I have ever met. The SMR structure is customer friendly. “It would be a shock to all of us to deal with the red tape that bureaucrats would surely introduce,” he said.

DECISION CENTER

MGA Insurance owner Lou Marinaccio sees the step of incorporation not only as giving Lakewood Ranch its own true identity but also as giving it a role of selfdetermination. Although he’s cautious, Marinaccio said the ability to have more influence in the Ranch’s future outweighs potentially negative impacts from incorporating. “The community itself would benefit by having its own leadership, its own ability to create opportunity for revenue growth,” Marinaccio said. Fain noted a City Council of Lakewood Ranch residents — all people with a vested interest in the community — would be mak-

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011

Pam Eubanks

Many local business owners remain undecided on incorporation. ing decisions about taxes, zoning, image, signage and other issues that may arise. “You could have control over the whole community, not two sets of county commissioners,� Fain said. “It would make it more cohesive.� But whether more localized control of issues such as zoning and planning is good or bad for business, ultimately will be determined by Lakewood Ranch’s elected city councilmen and their stance on growth and other issues, Cerreta said. “It’s a risk,� Cerreta said. “Right now, we know what the game plan is for the county. You know the game.� Manatee County commissioners, for example, each represent different areas of the county in making decisions that affect particular districts. Under the city of Lakewood Ranch’s proposed structure, however, City Council members would represent areas more similar in demographics and therefore may be more inclined to vote in similar ways, es-

FINANCIAL FINDINGS

Although economist Hank Fishkind’s study projects a surplus in revenues for Lakewood Ranch, business owners are still wary of unanswered questions. Should the new city fall short in revenues, business owners believe they would be the first to be taxed. “If the need arises to raise taxes, they usually hit businesses first,� Baugh said. “A lot of business (owners) in Lakewood Ranch are not necessarily voters in Lakewood Ranch. They wouldn’t have any vote.�

Scott Bollingbroke, owner of Kids Supergym, agreed. “My major concern with this turning into a city is that it does not affect the taxing — that taxes don’t come up or other fees aren’t added in the picture,� he said. “For a small business like this, I don’t know if there’s any other pluses or minuses (beyond that). The uncertainty part is the part that worries me.� Fain, however, pointed out there’s an equal opportunity for revenues to come in 5% above projections as there is for revenues to fall short by 5%. Additionally, Manatee or Sarasota counties could initiate new taxes or other changes that could affect costs at any time. “Millage rates, taxes, permitting fees — all that stuff (can be) changed whether or not you’re a city,� Cerreta said. Businesses in Sarasota County, however, are in a unique position because they would potentially see a tax increase equivalent to Manatee County’s MSTU tax — .6109 mills. Pro-incorporators say they intend to have the difference offset through some sort of tax credits or rebates for affected businesses. And some business owners, such as Neff, also said the increase, if it’s not offset, is a small price to pay for the larger pot of money the city would get in stateshared revenues. Saputo, whose multi-million operation is in Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, said he already pays a six-figure property tax and does not need the new tax, which would equate to about $11,000 or more annually. “I assure you — that’s a very low number,� Saputo said. “This is a ridiculous idea.� Cox agreed. “The services we get from Sara-

STUDY GROUP LAUNCHING POLL

The Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group is moving forward with a straw poll of Lakewood Ranch residents. A third-party firm will be mailing straw polls to all registered voters Aug. 1, and individuals will have three weeks to respond. The poll will determine whether incorporation should be considered by the state Legislature. If approved by the Legislature, the issue of incorporation would go to a vote by registered voters. Incorporation Study Committee member Keith Davey said the group expects to have results of the vote back by the end of August. sota County and (SMR are good), and I don’t know why I’d want to pay additional taxes for the services I’m getting,� Cox said. Cerreta said there also is a concern that impact fees collected from Lakewood Ranch are not being used proportionately for the community. Although as a city, Lakewood Ranch would have to continue to share impact fee dollars with the county, the city would, at least, have more control over how and where those dollars are spent. “Businesses and residents don’t fully understand where money from impact fees go and by incorporating, they’d (have a say),� Cerreta said. “There’s new money over the next 10 or 15 years that’s going to be generated right here.� Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

East County 941-907-9595 941-587-4359

4812 64Th W Dr $1,650,000 #M5813198 Debbie Capobianco

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-704-2394

7906 Sloane Gardens Ct University Park $1,500,000 #A3905962 941-907-9595 Edward Haggerty 941-685-6154

3807 Bayside Dr $1,375,000 #A3946054 Michael Moulton

Bradenton 941-383-7591 941-928-3559

542 Dove Pointe Pt $999,000 #A3939783 Sabrina Fusco-Sullivan

Osprey 941-907-9595 941-302-0337

6501 Bayshore Rd Palmetto/Rubonia $949,000 #M5822825 941-748-6300 Maria Christenson 941-920-3583

8120 Collingwood Ct University Park $799,000 #A3946339 941-907-9595 Christine Mazur 941-374-4015

7421 Weeping Willow Blvd $675,000 #A3946270 Karen Grant

Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-504-4952

1311 Riverview Cir $649,000 #M5821470 Dana Preston

5508 Summit Pointe Cir # 103 $600,000 #M5820186 Kym Paxton

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-932-5511

13401 Brown Thrasher Pike Lakewood Ranch $469,999 #A3942126 941-907-9595 Kathy Lewis 941-228-1213

6915 Lennox Pl University Park $449,000 #A3946124 941-907-9595 Nancy Phillips 941-400-6078

7000 Gulf Dr # 206 $440,000 #M5822757 Ann Debellevue

Holmes Beach 941-748-6300 941-720-7614

5462 46Th W Ct # 501 $430,000 #A3946068 Adam Cuffaro

Bradenton 941-752-2683 941-812-0791

12025 Thornhill Ct Lakewood Ranch $374,900 #A3946031 941-907-9595 Howie Drourr 941-812-6476

6430 Moorings Point Cir # 202 Lakewood Ranch $329,000 #A3941915 941-907-9595 Lanny Emery 941-780-4903

4819 52Nd W Ave $299,000 #M5822574 Leah Secondo

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5608 43Rd E Ave $189,000 #A3945197 Mary Jo Violett

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51086

19208 Ganton Ave $5,999,000 #A3928410 Stacy Haas

pecially considering representatives will be elected by a citywide vote. The scenario, Cerreta said, makes it ripe for a council that leans heavily one way or the other. Baugh also noted SMR’s foresight in development, as well as its partnerships with Sarasota and Manatee counties, have been important to the Ranch’s success. Moving forward, however, there would be nothing to guarantee a Ranch City Council would carry forward with the same spirit of cooperation and vision. But, Fain said, the situation with either Sarasota or Manatee counties could change just as easily, and a board that once proved itself pro-business could turn the other way. “All the issues we’re talking about are outside our control today,� Fain said. “There’s nothing to say Sarasota County couldn’t raise a tax tomorrow. I don’t even live in Sarasota County, so I don’t even have a voice not to vote for that county commissioner (making a bad decision).� However Saputo, whose busi-

ness is located in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park, said he is happy with how Sarasota County is handling business. “I don’t think there’s any need for Lakewood Ranch to incorporate,� he said. “I get great support from everyone in Sarasota County. I don’t need another layer of bureaucracy on top of my business. However, although Ray Neff, a former CEO and president of FCCI and current Lakewood Ranch business owner, agreed with Saputo that bureaucracy generally is not good for business, he also said he does not believe a City Council would be an added layer of government. The council, he said, would have a more vested interest in the community than the counties and quality of decisions and response times would likely improve. “As I understand the model, this is not a large bureaucracy that is going to be built,� he said, noting the city is proposed to function on contracts. “It just seems like it’s a very efficient way to do things. Some of those folks who are providing tremendous services today will continue to provide (those services).�

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Bradenton 941.748.6300 s )-' !CADEMIES s ,AKEWOOD 2ANCH s -AIN 3TREET 3ARASOTA s 3T !RMANDS s 3OUTH ,ONGBOAT s 3IESTA +EY

bserver O

EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011

SPORTS

NEWS

WEATHER

Eva Rey gets East County comfy in new ump tapped for community. regional tourney. PAGE 7

OUR TOWN

See inside for this week’s contest winner.

PAGE 19

PAGE 24

CRIME

BEAUTY AND THE FEET

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

time to tell By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

POLL

Lakewood voters will receive straw poll ballots regarding incorporation beginning this week.

POSITION

Courtesy photo

+ Ranch Chabad kids enjoy Camp Gan

LAKEWOOD RANCH — A straw poll seeking voters’ input on whether Lakewood Ranch should become its own city is under way. A poll of Lakewood Ranch’s 11,000 registered voters began Aug. 1 under the oversight of independent certified public accounting firm Kerkering, Barberio & Co. If voters are out of town, ballots will be forwarded to the address on file with the U.S. Postal Service. The ballot asks voters if they favor submitting a bill to the Florida Legislature to consider incorporating Lakewood Ranch. “This is not a vote to become a city,” said Tom Thomaides, chairman of the Lakewood

Chabad of Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch are helping kids create lifelong memories through its summer-long Camp Gan Israel. The camp has featured a variety of Jewish-themed activities as well as field trips and more.

+ Meridian offers $1 haircuts for kids Children 12 years old and younger can receive haircuts for just $1 at Meridian College’s Lakewood Ranch campus this month. The Prime Salon at Meridian, located in the campus at 7020 Professional Parkway E., will offer $1 haircuts for children, Mondays through Thursdays, throughout the month of August. Individuals should make appointments, but walk-ins also are welcome. Haircuts are available between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. For more, call the salon at 377-4880.

Ranch Incorporation Study Group, the group leading the charge. “This is a poll. It allows the process to continue (and) gives all of us a chance to take the next step.” Voters will be provided with a return envelope but not postage. Individuals have three weeks to return the ballot. If results of the poll are favorable for incorporation, the Incorporation Study Group will submit a bill, or “special act,” to the Legislature. There, a committee of legislators will review the proposed incorporation, including the proposed city charter and feasibility study, during the next legislative session to determine whether it believes incorporation would be beneficial to the community. If the Legislature approves the proposal, the decision then would go to a public referendum of registered voters in Lakewood Ranch, as required by law, likely in June 2012. If legislators find flaws with the proposal, it will not be approved and there-

STRAW POLL QUESTION “Do you favor submitting a bill to the Florida Legislature to consider the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch as a city?”

INSIDE

Read the final piece in our summer-long Talk of a Town series on Pages 8-9.

fore will not go to a public vote. Straw polls are being sent through certified mail and will be tabulated by Kerkering, Barberio & Co. as results come in. The company, which has an office in Lakewood Ranch, has donated its services for the project. “We believe it’s important to give back to the communities in which we work and live,” Managing Partner Rob Lane said, noting the firm has not taken a position on in-

SEE POLL / PAGE 2

+ New church plans clothes giveaway The Source Church will host its second City-Reach Clothing Giveaway beginning at 10 a.m., Aug. 13, at the church, 5412 S.R. 64 E. Last year, 1,600 to 1,800 people received clothes from the church’s first drive. “It is wonderful to see organizations making a difference in communities overseas, but we feel we have been called to start in our own backyard,” said Lead Pastor Ralph Hoehne. For more information, visit www.tapintothesource.org.

Suspect’s arrest relieves Lakewood residents George Hand has been arrested in connection with an armed home invasion July 26 in Edgewater. Hand also is the key suspect in a similar incident. LAKEWOOD RANCH — At 77 years old, David Weiss never dreamed a stranger at his front door would take him for the most terrifying ride of his life. But on July 17, a man showed up on his doorstep in the Edgewater community, and by the time Weiss realized the man had inched closer as they talked, the man pushed his way into George Hand Weiss’ home at gunpoint and later tied Weiss to a chair, shoved a gun barrel in his mouth and threatened him if he didn’t give up his money. The man took Weiss, in Weiss’s car, first to the bank, then to Checkers and then to the end of University Parkway, where he dropped Weiss off and told him to walk home. “It was harrowing,” Weiss said of the experience, which lasted several hours. “I’m greatly relieved he’s caught. I came out of it in one piece. He could have done a lot of damage.” The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office believes they have apprehended the suspect, 26-year-old George Hand of 2904 58th St. Court E. Hand was arrested July 28 and charged with armed home invasion, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of aggra-

SEE ARREST / PAGE 2

INDEX Briefs.....................4 Classifieds ..........25

Cops Corner ...........5 Crossword ............24

Opinion..................6 Neighborhood ......10

Sports..................19 Weather ...............24

Vol. 12, No. 31 | One section <RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011

POLL/PAGE 1

ARREST/PAGE 1

corporation. “When we were asked to assist in this important process and determined that we could independently oversee it, we agreed to donate our time.� The Incorporation Study Group hopes to have results back by the end of August so it can meet a requirement to submit the “special act� to the Legislature 90 days prior to the start of the legislative session, which begins in January. Thomaides said the group researched its options for conducting a straw poll, including phone calls, petitions and statistical sampling, but was not satisfied with any of those methods. The group decided on polling all registered voters in Lakewood Ranch because it would be most comprehensive. A straw poll of residents is not required of law, but has become standard practice so a community’s legislative delegation, which would be bringing the request forward, has confidence in doing so. “I don’t think it could be done better,� resident Douglas Schugg said of the straw poll’s format. “It’s a good step for voters. I think it’s the fair way to do it.� Resident Paul Jackowski agreed. “They’re the ones making the decision,� he said of voters. However Jackowski said he wished all homeowners could vote in the straw poll as well. Incorporation Study Group members said the cost of the straw poll is about $10,000. Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

vated assault with a firearm for another home invasion that occurred July 26 in the 8400 block of Misty Morning Court in Edgewater. And although Hand has not yet been charged for the crime against Weiss, detectives consider him the key suspect. During the July 26 incident, Hand entered the home, bound a guest of the homeowner with zip ties in a bedroom and then bound the homeowner’s hands with zip ties before attempting to take him out of the residence in the victim’s vehicle, which was blocked by another car. The guest was able to free herself and call 911. The suspect fled before authorities arrived, a sheriff’s office report states. In both home invasion cases, Hand knocked on the front door and asked for someone who did not live at the residence before barging into the home and telling the victims he would not hurt them, a sheriff’s office reports state. As of press time Tuesday, Public Information Officer Dave Bristow said charges against Hand in Weiss’ case were still pending, but he expected them to be brought forward in the near future. Bristow confirmed surveillance from Weiss’ bank, where the suspect tried to use his ATM card, helped in the case, as well. Hand’s bail, as of Monday, was set at $19,500. The most serious of Hand’s charges — home invasion with a deadly weapon

Courtesy photo

Surveillance video from a bank near the Edgewater community provided a visual of the suspect for investigators. — carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment, Bristow said. Bristow said the break in the case came July 27 when a deputy responded to a domestic disturbance at Hand’s East County residence. Hand fled the scene before deputies arrived, but during the investigation, deputies discovered information linking Hand to the home invasions. Hand was arrested July 28 first for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of marijuana, and he was later charged in connection with the home invasion and

an unoccupied burglary in east Bradenton that morning. Edgewater resident and Lakewood Ranch Community Development District Supervisor Don O’Leary said he has asked the district’s director of operations to check into pricing for security cameras. Edgewater is a gated community, but there are several pedestrian accesses. Sheriff Brad Steube is slated to speak with residents this week, O’Leary said. Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@ yourobserver.com. Cortez Road 41

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EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

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INCORPORATION: Costs in a new city For more residents, the debate regarding becoming a city comes down to finances. However, without a crystal ball, the only source of that data is the criticized Hank Fishkind feasibility study. The question of fitablish an appropriate nances is perhaps the level of reserves.� most contentious part First, the study of the debate over Lakeshowed what common wood Ranch becoming sense suggested: Lakea city. wood Ranch is a major Would there be more donor community to or less money for city Manatee County — it services? Would taxes go gives more than it gets. up, down or neither? From all tax and fee The Lakewood Ranch sources in 2009, the Incorporation Study EDITOR’S NOTE: Ranch paid $31.74 milGroup hired Orlando- This is the last lion to Manatee County based Fishkind & Asso- in a summer-long and $1.78 million to ciates in 2009 to study series regarding Sarasota County, a tothe financial feasibility Lakewood Ranch tal of $33.52 million. of the Ranch becoming incorporation. On the expenditures a city. Fishkind is one side, Lakewood Ranch of the most renowned in Manatee County economic groups in Florida and received $22.42 million in serhas done other studies on the fi- vices while the Ranch in Sarasota nancial feasibility of communities County received about $742,000, incorporating. for a total of $23.16 million. The goal was to obtain a profesSo in 2009, Lakewood Ranch sional, objective take on financ- sent out $10.36 million more in ing. Although the results have taxes and fees to the two counbeen criticized by opponents of ties than it received in services, incorporation, who also have according to calculations taken criticized the proponents of in- from the Fishkind report. The corporation and the East County community received back about Observer’s coverage of the issue, 68% of what it paid in. This is a the Fishkind study remains the common situation for any unprimary source of data for evalu- incorporated community that ating where Lakewood Ranch is wealthier than the county in becoming a city makes financial which it is located. sense. The bottom-line results of the ASSUMPTIONS As with any analysis of possible study state: “Lakewood Ranch has the capability to produce a finan- futures, assumptions play a large cially viable community and es- role. And the Fishkind report is

TALK OF A TOWN

no exception, proving the reputed Yogi Berra comment that “it is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.â€? For revenues, the study assumed continuing most taxes and fees currently being levied by the county, plus getting a city share of what is currently all going to Manatee County from the state. These rely on the assumption that a city of Lakewood Ranch would qualify for the state money and that most revenues would increase at 3% per year. The following are the revenue sources that Fishkind determined were likely to be available to a new city: • A property tax rate of 0.6109 mills, the same rate being applied to Lakewood Ranch property tax bills by Manatee County as part of being in the unincorporated county — what’s known as the Municipal Services Taxing Unit, or MSTU; • CDD assessments on all properties within each district would flow to the new city; • A city share of the local government half-cent sales tax, for which the study assumed the city would qualify; • A communications services tax, which the county now collects, would be spent within the city; • Local option fuel tax revenues that go to all cities would be available; • A share of the municipal reve-

PROJECTIONS Projected revenues and expenses for a city of Lakewood Ranch over 10 years. Total Revenues: $135,629,159 Total Expenditures: $126,350,773 Net Fiscal Impact: $9,278,386

nue sharing program that comes from the state sales tax and is redistributed to local governments; • Building permit fees, fines and forfeitures and service charges. From these revenue sources, the Fishkind report projects 2012 revenues would be $15.98 million and that amount would climb to $32.89 million in 2020, based on regular increases in revenues, plus assumptions on population and employment growth. But the study was done in 2009, and the further out projections are made, the more inaccurate they can become. On the expense side, it costs local governments to provide services to residents, visitors and workers that come into the local jurisdiction for their jobs. The study employs a weighting procedure that calculates the time each category of person is in the county, and therefore how much that person will cost in services. Using that formula, total expenditures projected for 2012 would be $14.45 million and climb to $31.34 million in 2020, running a surplus each year and reaching nearly $10 million after 10 years. Again, that relies on a range of as-

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What would change financially for Lakewood Ranch residents and businesses. • RESIDENTS. Residents would initially see no change in their taxes. The current line item on a Lakewood Ranch homeowner’s property tax bill for being in the unincorporated county falls under what is called an MSTU, or Municipal Services Taxing Unit. The current rate of 0.6109 mills is proposed to remain the same. The elected City Council could increase or decrease it at any point thereafter as is the case with any city, or with Manatee County. • Businesses. Businesses in Manatee County would see no change in their tax bill, either, having the same MSTU line item as a resident. However, businesses in Sarasota County, including all those in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park on the south side of University Parkway, would see a tax increase because Sarasota County does not charge an MSTU. So that 0.6109-mill tax would be new. Backers of incorporation hope to negotiate some sort of tax credit with Sarasota County to offset that, but there is no guarantee that will be the case. • CDDs. The CDDs would become “dependent districts,â€? meaning the City Council would represent them, the same as has been done in several other recent incorporations in Florida. The CDD structure stays in place, but not an individual set of supervisors for each CDD.

finances By Rod Thomson | Editor/Editorial Pages

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8

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011

9

FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY (FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY DATA FROM APRIL 20, 2010 REPORT) REVENUES Ad Valorem Taxes Local Option Fuel Communication Services Building Permits CDD Assessments Municipal Revenue Sharing Sales Tax Half Cent Charges for Services Fines and Forfeitures Total Revenues

2012 $1,640,885 988,800 284,098 303,362 10,836,049 405,820 921,850 398,163 204,009 $15,983,036

2013 $1,785,100 1,018,464 331,774 354,271 12,452,086 417,995 949,506 464,980 238,876 $18,013,052

2014 $1,999,789 1,049,018 391,740 418,302 14,374,126 430,534 977,991 549,022 282,765 $20,473,287

2015 $2,287,323 1,080,489 443,380 473,444 15,788,619 443,450 1,007,330 621,396 320,543 $22,465,974

2016 $2,559,763 1,112,904 510,491 545,106 17,873,491 456,754 1,037,550 715,451 369,677 $25,181,187

2017 $2,863,750 1,146,291 559,443 597,377 19,106,717 470,457 1,068,677 784,058 405,482 $27,002,252

2018 $3,109,584 1,180,680 620,945 663,049 20,801,405 484,570 1,100,737 870,252 450,498 $29,281,720

2019 $3,385,146 1,216,100 672,743 718,360 22,034,632 499,107 1,133,759 942,847 488,392 $31,091,086

2020 $3,638,065 1,252,583 726,320 775,569 23,268,473 514,081 1,167,772 1,017,934 527,590 $32,888,387

EXPENSES 2012 City Council $227,522 City Manager 1,042,807 Financial and Administrative 910,086 City Attorney 189,601 Planning & Zoning 284,402 Management Information Systems 417,123 Law Enforcement 548,352 Transportation 988,800 Landscaping 2,567,200 Debt Service 1,920,206 Environmental 477,242 Operations 1,571,969 Utilities 1,214,576 Security 602,778 Projects 684,857 Reserves 799,152 Total Expenditures $14,446,673 Net $1,536,363

2013 $265,703 1,217,805 1,062,812 221,419 332,129 487,122 630,131 1,018,464 2,950,060 2,206,576 548,415 1,806,405 1,395,712 692,674 786,993 900,653 $16,523,073 $1,489,979

2014 $313,727 1,437,914 1,254,907 261,439 392,158 575,166 727,394 1,049,018 3,405,416 2,547,172 633,066 2,085,233 1,611,146 799,591 908,469 1,023,664 $19,025,480 $1,447,807

2015 $355,083 1,627,465 1,420,333 295,903 443,854 650,986 798,974 1,080,489 3,740,527 2,797,828 695,363 2,290,431 1,769,692 878,275 997,867 1,123,299 $20,966,369 $1,499,605

2016 $408,829 1,873,801 1,635,317 340,691 511,037 749,520 904,478 1,112,904 4,234,460 3,167,278 787,185 2,592,880 2,003,378 994,251 1,129,635 1,259,059 $23,704,703 $1,476,484

2017 $448,033 2,053,485 1,792,132 373,361 560,041 821,394 966,884 1,146,291 4,526,628 3,385,812 841,499 2,771,783 2,141,606 1,062,851 1,207,577 1,350,113 $25,449,490 $1,552,762

2018 $497,287 2,279,231 ,989,147 414,406 621,609 911,692 1,052,643 1,180,680 4,928,121 3,686,120 916,136 3,017,629 2,331,558 1,157,122 1,314,684 1,464,086 $27,762,151 $1,519,569

2019 $538,770 2,469,362 2,155,079 448,975 673,462 987,745 1,115,050 1,216,100 5,220,288 3,904,654 970,450 3,196,531 2,469,786 1,225,723 1,392,626 1,554,554 $29,539,155 $1,551,931

2020 $581,677 2,666,018 2,326,707 484,731 727,096 1,066,407 1,177,488 ,252,583 5,512,601 4,123,298 1,024,791 3,375,522 2,608,083 1,294,358 1,470,607 1,644,419 $31,336,386 $1,552,001

Source: Fishkind & Associates

sumptions, which could be off in either direction.

OBJECTIONS

Opponents of incorporation take exception with some of these assumptions. But they raise broader concerns about the Fishkind report, which they label “seriously flawed.� One objection is that the report is light on projected expenses. Three pages are committed to expenses out of the 44-page report. Further, the expense projections are based on a comparison to Bradenton and Palmetto, which opponents say are so demographi-

cally different from Lakewood Ranch, they should not have been used. Both of those cities have a more challenging demographic than Lakewood Ranch, and providing services there could be more expensive than in a new city with the Ranch’s more favorable demographics. But perhaps the largest issue opponents have with the study is that they argue it does not meet the statutory requirements for incorporation. They believe the backers of incorporation will need more data after the straw poll to submit to the Legislature to meet

the law. If so, that still falls before the official June vote by the community and could be taken into account by voters. Opponents also point out there is no mention of liability issues for a new city and should be a part of the expense structure. The study also does not include any impact fees for the new city, which likely would be exempted from paying Manatee County impact fees. Such fees would not be paid by existing residents but would add to the city’s coffers. But they are left out of revenue projections. Other possible taxes assumed

not to be levied include occupational licenses, franchise fees, public service taxes and others. The Fishkind study assumes they will not be levied and no revenue is included from them.

CHAPIN’S ASSESSMENT

In response to criticisms of the Fishkind report, the proponents hired Tim Chapin, with Florida State University’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, to assess the methodology. Chapin wrote: “As a whole, then, I would characterize the overall quality of this work as very good. The consultant accurately

and appropriately responded to the direction of Florida statutes. The data employed appear to be the best available, derived using appropriate, professionally accepted methodologies. The presentation of the results is clear, and generally transparent as to the data used and the methods employed.â€? Chapin concluded: “The report’s finding that the proposed incorporation of Lakewood Ranch is financially feasible appears to be based upon solid empirical evidence. I believe this work to be of a high professional quality ‌ â€?

2419 Landings Cir $2,195,000 #M5822907 Elizabeth Gardini

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-356-0096

13605 Legends Walk Ter Lakewood Ranch $1,199,500 #A3938151 941-383-7591 Sylvia Zimmerman 941-350-5022

10506 Winding Stream Way $689,000 #A3937828 Howie Drourr

East County 941-907-9595 941-812-6476

7047 Twin Hills Ter Lakewood Ranch $689,000 #M5819569 941-907-9595 Mary Hellhake 941-544-0763

7517 Weeping Willow Blvd $650,000 #A3934246 Karen Grant

Sarasota 941-907-9595 941-504-4952

804 N Bay Blvd $625,000 Stacy Haas

#A3936148

Anna Maria 941-907-9595 941-587-4359

3321 7Th Street W Cir $519,500 #M5822615 Dana Preston

Palmetto 941-748-6300 941-705-5510

5508 Summit Pointe Cir # 102 $500,000 #M5820216 Kym Paxton

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-932-5511

6666 Windjammer Pl Lakewood Ranch $499,000 #A3946470 941-907-9595 John Camino, PA 941-685-5060

6350 Watercrest Way # 204 Lakewood Ranch $389,000 #A3942987 941-907-9595 John Camino, PA 941-685-5060

7011 Riverview Blvd $375,000 #M5816076 Ally Howell

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-224-6378

1504 80Th Nw St $375,000 #M5822880 Kathy Valente

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-685-6767

360 Snapdragon Loop $349,900 #M5820781 Stephen Strong

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-201-9662

5109 E 97Th E St $290,000 #A3942279 Edward Haggerty

Bradenton 941-907-9595 941-685-6154

6607 Rosy Barb Ct Lakewood Ranch $275,000 #A3919333 941-349-3444 Tara Lamb & Judy Greene 941-266-4873

4527 Swordfish Dr $275,000 #M5815262 Ann Debellevue

8483 Idlewood Ct Lakewood Ranch $244,000 #M5818158 941-907-9595 Mary Vargo 941-321-8385

5954 Willow Bridge Loop $199,900 #A3943373 Sarah Mcguire

Ellenton 941-349-3444 941-809-1478

7711 San Juan Ave $199,000 #M5815865 Maria Christenson

Bradenton 941-748-6300 941-920-3583

3631 57Th Avenue W Dr # 46 $189,000 #A3941607 Adam Cuffaro

Bradenton 941-752-2683 941-812-0791

6501 Mourning Dove Dr # 216 $149,000 #M5811551 Jo Anne Lanza

3500 El Conquistador Pkwy # 272 Bradenton $139,200 #A3939008 941-383-7591 Sherri Mills 941-350-7112

4302 Chinaberry Cir $139,000 #M5822810 Joe Foster

1003 39Th W Ave $115,000 #M5803817 Cheryl Roberts

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EAST COUNTY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

A SALUTE

IN FOCUS

East firefighters, Look inside for deputes engage our photo essay honoring laborers. in belly battle. PAGE 10

OUR TOWN

Lakewood makes splash at annual bash.

PAGE 3

PAGE 12-13

By Pam Eubanks | News Editor talkBEAUTY of a town AND THE FEET

VOTERS: NO CITY YET Results released Aug. 29 showed 56.5% of Lakewood Ranch residents who responded opposed moving forward with incorporation. LAKEWOOD RANCH — After more than a year of debate, the question of whether Lakewood Ranch should become a city has come to an end. At least for now. Results of a straw poll released

Aug. 29 showed 56.5% of respondents did not favor moving forward with incorporation at this time. If results had been favorable, the group leading incorporation

efforts would have submitted a special act to the state Legislature for review. If approved by legislators, the issue then would have gone to a public referendum for approval next year. Kerkering, Barberio & Co., the independent accounting firm conducting the straw poll, said 4,154 out of 11,961 registered voters who were mailed ballots responded, with 43.5% voting in

favor of moving forward with incorporation and 56.5% opposed to it. To be counted, ballots had to have been postmarked by Aug. 22 and received by Aug. 29. “We spent a year-and-a-half trying to lay out facts to (residents about why we shouldn’t incorporate) and obviously they listened

SEE STRAW POLL / PAGE 9

Courtesy photo

+ Ballet school to host auditions The School of Russian Ballet will host auditions for its production of “The Nutcracker” Sept. 3, at the school, 8029 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park. Directors Sergiy Mykhaylov and Darya Fedotova and guest teachers from Ukraine provide world-famous Russian-style instruction in ballet, pointe, character, pas de deux, variations and jazz classes. “The Nutcracker” features original choreography by Ukrainian ballet master and choreographer Vadim Fedotov set to the Tchaikovsky musical score. Students will rehearse and perform with International guest artists. Auditions are open to ballet students; new students must register for fall classes to audition. Audition fee is $10. For audition times and more information, call 9626664 or 962-6607 or visit www.schoolofrussianballet. com.

+ Where were you on 9/11? The East County Observer still is accepting submissions from readers for our Sept. 8 Memorial Edition to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. To share your story, memory, tribute or photo, simply email it to 9-11Tribute@YourObserver. com. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number.

SANDIES

GO LONG!

By Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Alliance, Observer announce finalists The winners will be announced at the Sandies corporate awards dinner Oct. 5, at The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom.

Brian Blanco

Braden River quarterback Steven Ross connected with his brother, wideout Justin Ross, for the Pirates’ first score in the Kickoff Classic Aug. 26 against Booker. The Pirates won 17-6. For more, see page 15.

money talk By Pam Eubanks | News Editor

Ranch CDDs approve new budgets Supervisors in Community Development District 2 will move forward with a pilot landscaping program rather than saving money for potential security enhancements. LAKEWOOD RANCH — Following two armed home invasions in the Edgewater community, supervisors of its governing board, Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2, have decided against making specific provisions for increased security in their $2.3 million Fiscal Year 2012 budget. The majority of residents who

attended the district’s budget adoption hearing Aug. 25 opposed the idea of using $15,600, previously set aside for landscaping modifications, as “seed money” for potential security enhancements in Edgewater. The three neighborhood chairmen in Edgewater had asked the board to remove the $15,600 altogether rather than using it for

security enhancements, based on feedback from homeowners in their respective neighborhoods. Although many Edgewater residents are still on edge because of the invasions, HOA representatives said most homeowners they’ve corresponded with have

SEE CDDS / PAGE 2

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Judges have selected finalists for the first Sandies Awards, a partnership between the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance and The Observer Group Inc. The Sandies seek to recognize outstanding businesses and citizens within the Lakewood Ranch community. Awards will be given in four categories — Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Corporate Philanthropy and Entrepre-

SEE SANDIES / PAGE 8

SANDIES AWARDS WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 WHERE: The Polo Grill and Bar’s Fête Ballroom, 10670 Boardwalk Loop TICKETS: $65 INFORMATION: www. LWRBA.org or www. YourObserver.com

INDEX Briefs.....................4 Classifieds ..........21

Cops Corner ...........5 Crossword ............20

Opinion..................6 Real Estate ..........14

Sports..................15 Weather ...............20

Vol. 12, No. 35 | One section <RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

EAST COUNTY OBSERVER

<RXU2EVHUYHU FRP

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

SANDIES/PAGE 8

9

ENTREPRENURIAL SPIRIT

CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

1. GOLD COAST EAGLE DISTRIBUTING. The Lakewood Ranch-based Anheuser-Busch/ InBev distributor supports about 400 community, non-profit and charitable events each year. The company’s Budweiser Hospitality Center offers a place at which organizations can host benefits and fundraisers. The company supports many organizations, including SERTOMA, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Junior League and more. 2. PITTSBURGH PIRATES/BRADENTON MARAUDERS. The Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders teams have a long and rich history of philanthropy in Manatee County. Through the organization’s annual Pirates Charities Golf Tournament, the team raises nearly $30,000 annually for a variety of programs in Manatee. All players are required to serve 10 hours of community service each season, which results in a myriad of events throughout the community. 3. WILLIS A. SMITH CONSTRUCTION. Founded in 1972, Willis A. Smith Construction is the oldest construction firm in Manatee and Sarasota counties. It is a recipient of the 2010 President’s Volunteer Service Award at the Gold Level for contributing more than 2,000 hours of community service in one year. The company’s employees support dozens of organizations throughout the region, including more than 10 years of support for the Cancer Support Community (formerly the Wellness Community).

STRAW POLL/PAGE 1 and agreed,� said Gary Berns, spokesperson for the Friends of Lakewood Ranch, the group opposing incorporation efforts. “It’s been a long time and a lot of hard work.� Representatives of the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, the entity pushing for incorporation, said they now will put their efforts “on the shelf.� “While we are disappointed in the results of the poll, we are at the same time proud that we were able to get a very important discussion started, which engaged thousands of residents,� Study Group Vice Chairman Keith Davey said. “We gave everybody a chance to voice their opinion. It is what the people want. That’s what it’s all about. We did enough research to let people make an intelligent decision.� Group Chairman Tom Thomaides agreed.

1. THE POLO GRILL AND BAR. In 2007, at the exact time when virtually every other company was tightening its budget, Tommy and Jaymie Klauber opened The Polo Grill and Bar. Building on Tommy Klauber’s family’s history at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key, The Polo Grill has enjoyed success in Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant has posted steady growth in revenues in the last four years. The business is on pace to generate $3.2 million in 2011.

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2. TIDEMARK FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INSURANCE. Tidemark owner and President Amanda Panico started the business at age 27 after three years as a financial professional with Prudential. Using savings she had accumulated through bonuses at Prudential, Panico launched Tidemark in September 2007, in Lakewood Ranch. Today, the full-service financial planning firm employs four full-time employees and one part-time employee. The company reported annual revenues of $345,000 in 2008 and is on pace for $550,000 this year. 3. WASTE PRO OF FLORIDA (BRADENTON/ SARASOTA). In May 2008, District Manager Andy Toller moved his pregnant wife and 2-year-old son into a Manatee County hotel room so he could open the company’s new operation in Manatee, Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. That September — in addition to hiring a full staff and readying the new Waste Pro operation — Toller purchased his family’s new home, welcomed his new son, Andrew, Sept. 17, and assumed the company’s municipal contract with Manatee County Oct. 1. Under Toller, Waste Pro has grown from annual revenues of $8.6 million in 2009 to an estimated $10.5 million this year. “It was quite an adventure,� he said. “I’m very proud of the team (that worked on this). I don’t think there are any regrets at all about how this was done.� Thomaides said group members still believe the case for incorporation is compelling, and they do not believe they promoted the idea of incorporating prematurely. Kerkering, Barberio Managing Partner Rob Lane said he was pleased overall with the straw poll process. “It was certainly good to give residents a chance to speak their minds,� Lane said. Kerkering, Barberio received about 200 inquiries from Lakewood Ranch residents who did not receive ballots. Investigation showed some inquirers were not registered voters, some did not receive forwarded mail and some simply did not receive ballots. Contact Pam Eubanks at peubanks@yourobserver.com.

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