A hundred residents show up at a meeting to find out what annexation into Seminole might mean for them.
By MAUREEN BYRNE AHERN
Published July 13, 2003
SEMINOLE - The city's plans to annex five unincorporated areas are causing a stir here.
There are those neighbors dead-set against annexing into Seminole. They put up "Vote No" yard signs and walk door-to-door spreading their message of higher taxes and too much government.
Others can't wait for the day when they can officially call Seminole home. They say joining the city will bring them lower taxes, accessibility to government officials and a sense of community.
And then there are the ones who are still making up their mind.
Registered voters in all five areas will decide Aug. 26 whether the city will grow. If all five referendums pass, the annexation would be the largest in the city's history, bringing in more acreage and more residents than an annexation three years ago that nearly doubled the city's land mass.
Seminole's population would increase 41 percent, its size would grow 44 percent, the number of parcels would jump 50 percent and its tax base would spike 38 percent.
The annexation issue drew about 100 people to Tuesday's City Council meeting, where council members unanimously approved all five referendum ordinances on first reading. The second reading will be on July 22.
"I thought it went really well," said Mitch Bobowski, Seminole's general services director and acting city manager. (City Manager Frank Edmunds was on vacation.) "We had a lot of positive comments, even from people who aren't enthusiastic about annexation."
About 20 people spoke during the 90-minute public hearing. Most just wanted answers.
Lani Hudgins asked if she would be able to continue working out of her home if she was annexed into the city. She also wondered if the tax on her cellular phone would increase.
Mark Ely, the city's planner and point man on annexation, answered yes to the first question. All she'd have to do is pay an annual fee of $26. As for the telecommunications tax, Ely said she wouldn't see a change since both the county and city charge the same rate: 5.22 percent of the bill.
James Coil was curious about the franchise fee and utility tax the city charges on power bills. Ely said that Seminole adds a 6 percent utility tax and a 6 percent franchise fee to electric bills. He explained that Seminole and other municipalities do that so they don't have to rely solely on property taxes for revenue.
City officials say although Seminole residents pay fees on electric bills, their tax rate of 2.9396 is lower than what unincorporated residents pay in taxes. Those who live in unincorporated Pinellas pay 2.356 for a tax specifically for them, 2.335 for fire service and 0.5 for library service: a total of 5.191.
Ely told the audience not to rely on what others say. Call the city and the county to get the facts, he suggested. Each household needs to crunch the numbers, he said.
Jack Tunstill asked why the city hadn't informed residents of the upcoming referendums. He said they shouldn't have to find out through the newspaper. "You have the responsibility to notify every household in that area," he said.
The city plans to mail a flier to each of the households in the five areas, Ely responded. "The city is very interested in having a high turnout," he said.
Only registered voters who live in the proposed annexation areas can participate in the referendum. Votes in each area will be counted separately.
If a simple majority approves, that area would become part of the city 10 days after the vote. If a referendum fails, state law prohibits another annexation vote for at least two years.
Mayor Dottie Reeder told the audience that the proposed annexation shouldn't cause division within neighborhoods. She encouraged everyone to remain friendly with each other.
"The fact that you are given an opportunity to make a decision is what America is all about," she said.
