NORTH PORT – Representatives for the West Villagers for Responsible Government filed a lawsuit in circuit court Friday that would allow voters who live west of the Myakka River to decide if they want to separate from the city.
The litigation seeks a court order that would force the city to accept a petition to hold a referendum on the issue. Residents are seeking the contraction, in part, because they do not feel they receive adequate services from the city for their taxes.
Residents attempted to submit the petition on April 29, shortly after the North Port City Commission unanimously rejected a petition for contraction, citing five reasons why it was not in the city’s best interest to do so, as well as the results of a feasibility study conducted by Fort Lauderdale-based consultant Munilytics.
Wellen Park spokeswoman Jennifer Hamilton said via email that dismissal made sense after the city’s decision.
“Given the City of North Port Commissioners’ level-headed and unanimous decision in denying the petition to de-annex or contract from the city, we have decided to drop the lawsuit against the City of North Port,” Hamilton wrote. “The lawsuit is no longer appropriate, as the City Commissioners have acted in the best interests of all residents within the City of North Port and Wellen Park.”
Residents of the West Villages subdivisions of Wellen Park are seeking to separate from the city, in part because they do not feel they receive adequate services from the city for their taxes.