The decision hinged on five criteria.
In a motion by City Commissioner Debbie McDowell and seconded and later amended by Vice Mayor Pete Emrich, the board rejected the citizens petition based on the grounds that the land met the criteria for annexation under state statue 171.043. That law defines the character of an area suitable for contraction. The board also said the commission had to consider the public health and safety for all residents, that it was not feasible to contract the boundaries because of the urbanization of the area, contraction was not in the best interest of the future goals of the city and it would not be fiscally neutral.
NORTH PORT – North Port city commissioners will consider acting on a citizens’ petition to contract the city boundaries and remove more than 15,900 acres of prime development west of the Myakka River, as proposed last year by residents who live in Wellen Park.
The commission will review a citizens petition filed in October 2020, as well as a feasibility study of the idea by Fort Lauderdale-based Munilytics, at a special meeting starting at 9 a.m. Thursday at North Port City Hall, 4970 City Hall Blvd.
The final study draft suggests that the city could lose nearly $21 million in tax revenue over the first five years if the commission were to approve an ordinance contracting the city’s boundaries.