Issue XIII October 2000

In This Issue:



A Proposed New Approach To Voluntary Annexation for Pinellas County

After 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. The ballot title for this referendum reads:

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

The ballot question reads:

“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

If the Charter amendment is approved, the process developed by the Planning Council and Board of County Commissioners would replace the current provisions in state law governing voluntary annexation.

In effect, the voters of Pinellas County have a choice about whether to leave the current annexation process as it is now, or replace it with a unique process specifically tailored to the needs of Pinellas County.

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



Overview of Proposed Annexation Process

A brochure called “Your Opportunity To Vote For Voluntary Annexation Reform In Pinellas County” has been developed to inform voters about the proposed voluntary annexation process. It includes the ballot title and question on page one of this newsletter and has been reproduced here in order to further describe the new annexation process.

New Approach To Annexation.

The 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.

In 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.

A Chance To Reform Annexation

In 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.

The Problems With The Existing Process

Just 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.

The 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.

What Exactly Will The Charter Amendment Do?

The 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.

•  

Improve planning for services, and encourage increased service efficiency.

•  

Allow for interlocal 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.

Why Is The Map Important?

The 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.

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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.


Planning Areas Delineating Eligibility For Annexation

Will The Charter Amendment Require Anyone to Annex?

No, 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.

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


Will I Have A Say In This Matter?

Yes, the proposal will be submitted to the voters of Pinellas County in a referendum November 7th (see ballot language on the back of this pamphlet). Voters will be asked to consider amendment of the County Charter to allow this voluntary annexation process to be put in place.


Click on the image at left to see a larger version of the map.



Floodplain Management Plan for North Redington Beach

The Town of North Redington Beach has asked the PPC for assistance in developing a Floodplain Management Plan. They are currently involved in the Community Rating System (CRS) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and are not required to adopt a plan, but wanted to be more proactive in identifying ways to reduce their vulnerability to coastal storms. Because of the Town's commitment to reducing flood damage through the CRS, residents of North Redington Beach are enjoying a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums. By implementing more floodplain management activities, these flood insurance premiums can potentially be lowered by an additional 5-10% and increase the likelihood of obtaining state and federal grants for flood mitigation.

A Floodplain Management Plan, or FMP, is a dynamic proactive document that addresses the Town's unique situation in times of flooding, recognizes areas of repeated flood damage, and identifies solutions to minimize future flood damage. Unlike most other CRS activities, a FMP depends on community involvement for its success. Residents and town staff have formed a committee that will assess the flooding problem, set goals, and draft an action plan with the guidance of PPC staff. The final FMP is scheduled to be forwarded to FEMA this December.


The Pinellas Planning Council
  • Councilmember Robert A. Kersteen, Chairman
    St. Petersburg
  • Mayor Tom DeCesare, Vice-Chairman
    Madeira Beach*, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island
  • Vice-Mayor Nadine S. Nickeson, Secretary
    Safety Harbor
  • Councilmember Chuck Williams, Treasurer
    Pinellas Park
  • Lee Benjamin
    Pinellas County School Board Member
  • Mayor Frank DiDonato, DC
    Tarpon Springs
  • Mayor Robert DiNicola
    Belleair Shore, Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach*, Indian Shores, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores
  • Commissioner Calvin D. Harris
    Pinellas County Board of Commissioners
  • Commissioner Ed Hart
    Clearwater
  • Commissioner Janet Henderson
    Dunedin
  • Mayor Robert Jackson
    Largo
  • Mayor William B. Smith
    Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Gulfport, Kenneth City*, Seminole, South Pasadena
  • Councilmember David Tilki
    Oldsmar

The mission of the PPC is to establish a representative forum for countywide planning that provides overall policy direction, plan consistency, interagency coordination, and technical assistance in furtherance of a coherent, efficient and effective countywide planning process.

* Councilmember serves on this governing body.

The Countywide Planning Authority
  • Commissioner Robert B. Stewart, Chairman
  • Commissioner Calvin D. Harris, Vice-Chairman
  • Commissioner Sallie Parks
  • Commissioner Karen Seel
  • Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd

The role of the Board of County Commissioners, acting in their capacity as the Countywide Planning Authority, is that of final decision maker in the adoption and administration of the Countywide Plan.


Hearing and Meeting Schedule
Planners Advisory Committee Pinellas Planning Council Countywide Planning Authority
  • October 9, 2000
  • November 6, 2000
  • December 11, 2000
  • January 8, 2001
  • October 18, 2000
  • November 15, 2000
  • December 11, 2000*
  • January 17, 2001
  • October 10, 2000
  • November 7, 2000
  • December 5, 2000
  • January 9, 2001
* Tentatively scheduled date


Contact us by calling 727-464-8250, or write to us at:
Pinellas Planning Council, 600 Cleveland Street, Suite 850, Clearwater, FL 33755-4160.