Latest news with #PhilStokes
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After decisive special election loss, North Port commission axes impact fee discount plan
NORTH PORT – Reacting to the failed May 13 funding referendum, the North Port City Commission scuttled a proposed impact fee incentive plan to attract businesses Tuesday night. Instead, it will explore other alternatives for funding for a new police station, a waste transfer station, wastewater system improvements and covering funding shortfalls after a hurricane. As a precursor to the larger debate, the commission pulled an item from the routine approval agenda – termination of an agreement to reimburse the developer of Central Parc for construction of the Tuscola Boulevard Bridge over the Cocoplum Waterway – and denied the request 5-0. The item will likely be brought back again, since costs to build that bridge have more than doubled to $3.8 million since the agreement was originally struck. Charles Bailey, the developer's attorney, was forced to shoehorn his case into a three-minute public comment slot; the original intent was for the developer to be reimbursed through impact fees. But that reimbursement was capped at $1.9 million. Planner Peter Van Buskirk noted that since Tuscola Boulevard west of the Cocoplum is technically a private road, a bridge cannot be built until the city obtains it. Next up, City Commissioner David Duval, the only commissioner to oppose a plan to offer impact fee discounts to attract targeted businesses on May 13 – on the same day city voters weighed in the referendum – suddenly found himself with plenty of company, as Mayor Phil Stokes, Vice Mayor Pete Emrich and Commissioner Demetrius Petrow all reversed course to also oppose the idea. That left City Commissioner Barbara Langdon, a staunch advocate of attracting businesses that pay high wage jobs to grow the city's commercial tax base, on the down side of a 4-1 vote to eliminate that targeted impact fee program. But even Langdon admitted that the incentive program was not ready, given current voter sentiment. The city is seeking a way to fund emergency borrowing, construction of a new police station and solid waste transfer station and repairs to its sewer system, even as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is drafting a consent order that could carry with it $1,000 a day in fines. 'I'm just concerned about burdening our general fund with something that isn't critical,' Langdon said. 'We have way more critical things we have to deal with.' Staff had asked for a consideration of the impact fee incentive ordinance, and Development Services Director Alaina Ray noted that a lot had changed since 2022, when city officials first contemplated using impact fee discounts to attract business. 'We were in a different time when the City Commission gave that direction,' Ray said. 'We were still coming out of the aftermath of the pandemic, we had dealt with Hurricane Ian and the economic issues that brought to us. 'It was a different time in our city and our growth.' Pandemic induced migration and the accelerated development of Wellen Park has pushed North Port to a population of almost 95,000 – just under the 100,000 mark that many businesses use as a benchmark to justify locating to a municipality. Emrich cited approaching the 100,000 mark and said businesses will follow the rooftops. Stokes, who on May 13 said the city needed to attract businesses, completely changed tack. 'To incentivize a business to come to the second-fastest growing city in America, the most livable city in the state of Florida – a place most people and businesses want to be now … conceptually, this is just, in my estimation, a horrible idea. 'We don't print money, the taxpayers of the city of North Port are going to subsidize businesses that want to come to the city,' Stokes said. 'That sure doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me at this point, not when we are growing the way we are.' The commission did agree to bring back an impact fee discount program to incentivize affordable housing construction, and possibly workforce housing. But there's no unity on that front either. Both Duval and Petrow noted that affordable housing developers have been able to build in the city. Most recently McDowell Housing Partners started renting apartments at Ekos at Arbor Park, a 136-unit affordable apartment community for residents age 55 and older and are working on an all-ages Phase II that would add 66 more homes. The board ultimately voted 3-2 to schedule a workshop on an affordable and workforce housing incentive program. Emrich and Petrow voted against that – with both saying it was too soon to revisit the topic. Langdon urged a charter amendment to allow for the city to borrow money in the aftermath of an emergency – such as Hurricane Ian – on each November election cycle until it passed. Emrich agreed but suggested tacking on a $15 million cap. Staff later noted that Ian cleanup was more than three times that. But the majority of the board was not interested in going down that path in 2026. Instead the city may explore a method used by school districts around the state to solve all three funding dilemmas – certificates of participation. COP's for short are a lease-finance agreement with a separate financing entity that then sells shares to investors who essentially buy a portion of the agreed upon lease payment. At the end of the lease payment, the city would own the building. The city establishes the financing entity and a board of directors. In many school districts, the school board members serve on that board, so city commissioners can do that, too. Todd Miles, North Port's legislative analyst, explained that the bond transaction is similar to the traditional bond issuance but repayment hinges on an established schedule, not the city's credit rating. 'It's recognized that because those facilities are essential, they're going to appropriate the money,' he added. The downside is the interest rate required to pay off the certificates is typically one-tenth to two-thents of a percent more than the interest rate on similar bonds. Former City Commission candidate Josh Smith, who spoke several times during public comment, expressed disappointment at the prospect of the commission ignoring the will of the voters, who voted against all spending. 'This citizens-be-damned mantra we've been running for a while is getting old,' said Smith, who later added that he voted against all four financial matters on the May 13 ballot – even the waste transfer station, which he supported – as a protest. City commissioners acknowledged that the negative vote was an expression that voters did not trust the current commission to spend their money wisely. Applying for money from the state revolving loan fund – which can be interpreted as a transaction between two government entities and not a loan – and short term bank loans and lines of credit for emergencies, are other options, as is increasing the reserve fund balance to prepare for emergency needs. The city can also continue on its current pay-as-you-go path and reprioritize capital improvement plan projects to free up money. Another option, which will likely be discussed in June, is a public-private partnership proposal from a Tampa-based company, Florida Development Solutions, LLC, to build the jail and transfer station and fix the wastewater woes. City spokesman Jason Bartolone said a proposal from Florida Development Solutions – established just last July 31 – was not yet available. He also confirmed that the city has not received a formal consent order from FDEP but state officials have briefed officials on the draft order. In all the commission authorized staff to explore the COPs process for all financial transactions, and public-private partnership, contracting with the state a revolving fund loan for the police station and the wastewater project. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port City Commission searches for ways to pay for costly needs
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thumbs down: North Port voters reject all five questions on special election ballot
NORTH PORT – North Port voters turned an emphatic thumbs down to all five referendum questions on the ballot in Tuesday's special election, according to unofficial results from the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office. Defeats for four of the five questions asked leaves North Port officials unable to get low-interest loans typically available after a hurricane and uncertain of financing for three major projects – a new police station, a solid waste transfer station and improvements at the wastewater treatment plant on Pan American Boulevard. North Port Mayor Phil Stokes said the results left him 'certainly disappointed but not overly surprised.' He added that the results also left him 'resolved to move the city forward like we always do.' Only 18.5% of the city's 61,020 registered voters participated in the special election. The 6,669 mail-in ballots received by Tuesday night more than doubled those cast in person on Election Day. A total of 2,122 early in-person votes were cast. Argus Foundation Executive Director Christine Robinson, a former two-term Sarasota County commissioner, said the vote underscores a distrust city voters have of the current City Commission. "This was a referendum on the trust voters have in city government right now and the voters spoke,' said Robinson, a staunch opponent of holding special elections for financial matters. 'They didn't like the city commission trying to sneak these projects by on a low voter-turnout special election.' Robinson said the special election was poorly managed and pointed to a Florida TaxWatch votes guide that characterized the projects as poorly vetted. Robinson noted that the city didn't properly explain the need to voters, with public workshops set after the ballot questions were set. She said the city needed a better organized effort – targeted for a vote in a regularly scheduled election, so voters can understand why they're voting to spend money. 'Getting a buy-in rather than forcing it on people,' Robinson added. 'There is a difference.' Ideally, she said, the commission should self-reflect and establish ways to regain voter trust. 'Trying to understand why voters are upset is important right now,' she said. On a ballot where four out of the five questions were related to borrowing, Question 2, whether to amend the city charter to allow two charter officers – the city attorney and city clerk – to live outside city limits received the most opposition, with 75.8% of the voters opposing the change. Ironically, the City Commission can just allow either of those officers to live outside of the city, as it did with former city attorney Amber Slayton in 2017. When Slayton was promoted from assistant city attorney to city attorney, the commission allowed her to live farther north in Sarasota County, because her husband's job requires him to be within an hour of a major international airport, such as Tampa. Stokes said while he did agree with it, he could understand North Port voters rejecting that because of a mindset that high charter officers should live in the city. The next most resounding 'no' came on Question 3, on whether to finance a $115 million bond with property taxes to build a new 108,000 square-foot police station at a projected price tag of $122.7 million; 68.2% of the voters said no. Stokes said the city will likely revisit alternatives such as contracting with a private company to build the facility then lease it back with a buy-out at the end of the contract. Question 1, a charter change to allow the city to borrow funds during declared emergencies such as Hurricane Ian, when it had to pass on state and federal loan programs. was rejected by just under 60% of the voters. That's a significantly poorer showing than last November, when a referendum question linking that borrowing ability to the blanket ability to sell bonds backed by district fees was rejected by only 50.3% of the voters. 'The loud voices said if you only asked for emergency borrowing authority it would have passed easily,' Stokes said. 'Yet the very same people who said that were the same people who said to vote against it. 'It points to the fact that there's just a general philosophy of some people, they do not want their city leaders to have any authority to borrow money or indebt the city for any reason whatsoever.' The two projects funded by bonding district fees came the closest to passing. Question 4, selling bonds to finance a solid waste transfer station, was opposed by 52.3% of the voters, while Question 5, financing the wastewater plant improvements. was opposed by 51.1%. Stokes said that solid waste rates may increase over the next two years to generate enough revenue to build a new transfer station, while a similar approach may be taken for the wastewater plant improvements. The solutions are a work in progress as the city approaches planning for the 2025-26 fiscal year and beyond. 'You have to accept the reality of the voters,' Stokes said. 'And you have to figure out a way to accomplish the needs.' This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port voters reject borrowing proposed by City Commission
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Port Special Election could bring new police department after over overcrowding
The Brief A North Port Special Election could bring a new police department to help ease the strain on city services. That includes up to $115 million dollars in bonds to help pay for a new police headquarters. Since 2006, North Port Police has seen its staff double to 206 positions while they protect a population of more than 90,000. NORTH PORT, Fla. - Residents in North Port are voting in a special election on Tuesday that could help ease the strain on city services. That includes up to $115 million dollars in bonds to help pay for a new police headquarters. For the last few years, the North Port Police Department has been bursting at the seams. It's had to get creative by doing things like converting closets into office space. The City of North Port said the outcome of this special election is crucial. What they're saying "As the city continues to grow, we just need to keep pace, keep our city as safe as we can and make sure our infrastructure keeps up with our growth," said Mayor Phil Stokes. A new proposed department would be built off of Toledo Blade, but the City needs voters to approve a referendum for $115 million dollars in bonds. Mayor Phil Stokes is urging residents to vote yes. "Without a doubt they are needs, not wants," said Mayor Stokes. Big picture view At the current police department, a conference room houses two offices and a storage closet has been turned into a commander's office. Since 2006, North Port Police has seen it's staff double to 206 positions while they protect a population of more than 90,000. "We've been trying to do everything we could to utilize as much space as possible to put new people's positions in the headquarters here, said Deputy Chief Chris Morales. READ: Church of Scientology makes rare appearance during Clearwater meeting on closing downtown street Last year, Deputy Chief Chris Morales took FOX 13 on a tour to show us how the department has utilized as much space as possible, but that space has run out. "Mission critical. We are 185% above capacity. This venture started in 2017 when we ran out of space for evidence and property," he said. If the bonds are approved the average homeowner with a property value of $246 thousand dollars would see a property tax increase of around $121 a year, which is about $10 dollars a month or .33 cents a day. "This is a facility that will take us out to 40 years which will handle the growth curve and god we certainly don't want to underestimate our need again as has happened in the past," said Mayor Stokes. Also on the ballot are two city charter changes. One of which would allow the city clerk and city attorney to live outside of North Port city limits. There are additional referendums involving the borrowing of money for state and federally declared disasters, along with bonds to help finance a solid waste transfer station and wastewater treatment facility. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Port voters to decide on funding for new police HQ in May special election
NORTH PORT, Fla. (WFLA) — The City of North Port continues to grow at a rapid rate. Many projects are in the works to accommodate that growth, but one that has yet to begin is construction on a new police headquarters. Last year, we got a tour of the existing 32,000 square foot police HQ, which is now about 200% over capacity. When it opened in 2006, the police force was made up of 79 sworn officers and 30 staff members. Today, that number is twice as large. There are 158 sworn officers and 57 civilian staffers. With that growth, the city has had to get creative, retrofitting the existing building. Numerous spaces throughout the building have been turned into office space, such as conference rooms, filing areas, and closets. There are plans that have been approved for a new police headquarters on Toledo Blade Boulevard, but for it to move forward as planned, voters would have to approve the financing for the project in a referendum this month. 'The city of North Port is the only city in Florida out of 411 municipalities that cannot borrow without going to referendum, so we are hoping all of our citizens, our voting citizens come out and support this,' Mayor Phil Stokes said. According to the city's website, a 'yes' vote on Election Day would 'would authorize the City to issue bonds up to $115 million to pay for the new police headquarters. The average North Port homeowner with an assessed property value of $246,400 would see an initial property tax increase of $121.38 – about $10 a month or 33 cents a day. This cost would go down over time as it is spread out among more residents moving to North Port. Stokes said kicking the can down the road could end up costing taxpayers even more. 'Every year you wait, it goes up 8 to 10% in this market,' he continued. 'It is just unbelievable. As we have seen with our Price Boulevard widening project, 15 years ago, it would have cost five or six million dollars. Now it costs $80 million. That is what can happen when you kick the can down the road. 'It is the cheapest way to go. If we have to go find a third-party to build it and then lease it with an option to buy, it is going to cost all of us taxpayers is a lot more money, so we are really hoping people understand the need here. We have doubled and tripled our size, we have 104 mi.² to police and we truly need this facility.' The special election is set for May 13. Early voting starts May 5. There are four other referendums on the ballot. You can find information on those by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Port mayor to offer State of the City address on March 12
NORTH PORT – North Port Mayor Phil Stokes will give a State of the City update at 6 p.m., Wednesday at Solis Hall, in a meeting that includes two guest speakers: Sarasota County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger and Sheriff Kurt Hoffman. Stokes, who represents District 5, which includes Wellen Park, will cover the latest developments impacting the city. Topics include expansion of healthcare in the city limits; new schools; upcoming city infrastructure projects; new businesses and job opportunities; and the May 13 special election, which includes five questions for city voters. The questions include two city charter changes and three seeking permission to finance new projects – the largest of which is a proposed new headquarters for North Port Police. Solis Hall is in Downtown Wellen Park at 19745 Wellen Park Blvd. The referenendum will also be discussed at two more town hall meetings: April 2 at the North Port Public Safety Building in Wellen Park and April 24 at Suncoast Technical College. Each is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The deadline to register to vote in this special election is Monday, April 14, at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections office. Those wanting to vote by mail must also request a new vote-by-mail ballot by 5 p.m., May 1. Those ballots can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., May 5-10 at the Supervisor of Elections Office in Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port. In-person early voting will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 5-10, at the North Port Supervisor of Elections Office in Biscayne Plaza. For more information, visit This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: North Port State of the City presentation scheduled for March 12
