Pinellas Planning Council - Voulntary Annexation Reform Brochure, November 7, 2000

fter nearly two years of effort, the Pinellas Planning Council and the Board of County Commissioners have put forward a proposed new approach to voluntary annexation. The Board of County Commissioners approved an ordinance that contains the details of the new process, subject to approval of a County Charter amendment by Pinellas County voters in a referendum scheduled for November 7, 2000.

he proposed new approach to annexation would replace the current provisions in state law governing voluntary annexation that have not worked well for Pinellas County in the past.

n effect, the voters of Pinellas County have a choice. That choice is to leave the current voluntary annexation process as it is now under state law, or replace it with a unique process tailored to the needs of Pinellas County and its local governments through the Pinellas County Charter.

n order for this new voluntary annexation process to be put in place, the voters will need to approve a change to the County Charter in a referendum on November 7th.

IT'S YOUR CHOICE - MAKE A DIFFERENCE - VOTE NOVEMBER 7, 2000

ust one look at a map of municipal boundaries in Pinellas County reveals how disjointed and uncertain the current annexation process is. Deficiencies in the current state process have contributed to a vast array of service providers, agreements, and functions that are confusing and inefficient.

he current annexation practices have led to costly lawsuits compromising the plans of local government, and negatively affecting homeowners and businesses because of the uncertainty of the annexation process.

he proposed charter amendment will provide for a more rational, predictable, and fair method for voluntary annexation to address the short-comings in the current process. Specifically, it will put in place County Ordinance No. 00-63, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners subject to the proposed charter amendment. The goals of this ordinance are to:

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Insure that all voluntary annexations are consistent with specified requirements and are treated uniformly.

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Improve planning for services, and encourage increased service efficiency.

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Allow for intergovernmental agreements between the County and cities to provide for services as an alternative to annexation.

•
Eliminate conflicting policies and lawsuits between local governments relating to annexation.

•
Establish exclusive planning areas that govern city expansion and increase certainty with respect to where voluntary annexation can take place by requiring all voluntary annexations to be located within a municipality's defined planning area.

he Planning Areas Map which is part of the proposal will:

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Provide greater assurance and certainty with respect to the annexation process.

•
Provide more predictability for both the unincorporated area and the cities, allowing each to better plan for services.

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Insure that individual cities will not be in competition for, or adversaries over, annexation.

•
Establish a procedure, including public hearing, that assures the public an opportunity to participate in the event of any proposed change to the map.

o, the proposed approach to annexation does not force you to annex into a municipality. Under this proposed approach to voluntary annexation, property can NOT be annexed into a municipality without the owner’s consent.

he new process deals strictly with voluntary annexation, even if you are part of the unincorporated area that is within an area eligible for annexation.

es, the proposal will be submitted to the voters of Pinellas County in a referendum November 7th (see ballot language at the bottom of this page). Voters will be asked to consider amendment of the County Charter to allow this voluntary annexation process to be put into place.

lick on the image at left to see a larger version of the map (may be slow loading).

“AUTHORIZES THE COUNTY TO ESTABLISH EXCLUSIVE METHODS, CRITERIA, AND GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES FOR VOLUNTARY MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION”

“Shall Article II, Sections 2.04 and 2.07, of the Pinellas County Charter be amended to provide the County with the authority to adopt by ordinance the exclusive methods and criteria for voluntary municipal annexation within Pinellas County, including the delineation of the geographic areas eligible for annexation to a municipality with such County ordinance prevailing in the event of a conflict with a municipal ordinance?”
[ ] YES FOR APPROVAL
[ ] NO FOR REJECTION

Planning Council staff is available to answer your individual questions or meet with your property-owner's association or any group of which you are a member. Just let us know by contacting us at the address, email, or telephone number below.

The Pinellas Planning Council
600 Cleveland Street, Suite 850
Clearwater, Florida 33755-4160
Telephone 727-464-8250
fax 727-464-8212

•	Insure that all voluntary annexations are consistent with specified requirements and are treated uniformly.

•	Improve planning for services, and encourage increased service efficiency.

•	Allow for intergovernmental agreements between the County and cities to provide for services as an alternative to annexation.

•	Eliminate conflicting policies and lawsuits between local governments relating to annexation.

•	Establish exclusive planning areas that govern city expansion and increase certainty with respect to where voluntary annexation can take place by requiring all voluntary annexations to be located within a municipality's defined planning area.

•	Provide greater assurance and certainty with respect to the annexation process.

•	Provide more predictability for both the unincorporated area and the cities, allowing each to better plan for services.

•	Insure that individual cities will not be in competition for, or adversaries over, annexation.

•	Establish a procedure, including public hearing, that assures the public an opportunity to participate in the event of any proposed change to the map.