Anna Maria Island Sun

06/23/2026

The beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island is slated to start in November.

The Manatee County Commission approved the allocation of $6.18 million in tourist development tax revenues for beach renourishment.

06/23/2026

6/23 Holmes Beach Commission recap:
(Updated at 7:15 p.m. to include the commissioners who supported the stormwater fee increase.)

On Tuesday, June 23, the Holmes Beach Commission took no action on the much-discussed Second Avenue traffic adjustments.

After a brief commission discussion and public input from one Second Avenue resident, the commission agreed to remove the Second Avenue discussion from future agendas until the currently unavailable Second Avenue residents are prepared to address the commission later this year.

The commission voted 3-2 in favor of raising the stormwater fee by $1.50, which will increase the current fee of $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.45 per 100 square feet.

During the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, property owners will see their annual stormwater fee increase by $75 to $200 or more, depending on the size of the property — regardless of how the property is zoned or used.

Commissioner Terry Schaefer proposed the $1.50 increase and commissioners Dan Diggins and Steve Oelfke joined Schaefer in supporting the increase they felt would help fund needed stormwater improvements and provide the matching funds required for the city’s pursuit of state and federal grants.
Commissioners Carol Whitmore and Jessica Patel opposed the fee increase.

The commission remains in agreement that the city's stormwater fee calculation method will be changed before the 2027-28 fiscal year stormwater fee is set next summer.

After Commissioner Dan Diggins left the meeting due to not feeling well, the commission voted 4-0 in favor of placing on the November ballot the requested vacation of a beachfront, unused, city-owned alley at 2902 Avenue E to accommodate the construction of two homes.
In November, city voters will decide if the city-owned alley is given to the 2902 Avenue E property owner at no cost, other than the costs incurred during the vacation process.

The commission is currently scheduled to meet next on July 14, but that meeting date might be changed due to Commissioner Whitmore's previously announced vacation plans. The first budget workshop for the 2026-27 fiscal year is also expected to take place in July.

Joe Hendricks | Sun

06/23/2026

Tom Collins has returned to work after his workplace conduct with female city staff members was investigated.

Code Enforcement Manager Tom Collins has returned to work after being placed on administrative leave while his workplace conduct was investigated.

06/23/2026

The former Seafood Shack property in Cortez will be used as a staging area.

The construction company contracted by FDOT to build the new Cortez Bridge wants to use the former Seafood Shack property as a staging area.

06/22/2026

Second Ave, stormwater increase and vacating alley on Tuesday's agenda:

The Second Avenue "short-cut" will be discussed again during the Tuesday, June 23, Holmes Beach City Commission meeting that begins at 2 p.m.

The commission will vote on increasing the current stormwater fee from 2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.45 per 100 square feet of property for the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The commission will be asked to approve a city resolution to place on the November ballot a request to vacate a beachfront, city-owned alley at 2902 Avenue E to accommodate the construction of two new homes.

The city's lobbyist, Andrew Kalel, will provide the commission with a legislative update.

The commission will also recognize retired AMI Chamber of Commerce President Terri Kinder for her 15 years of service with the chamber.

Tuesday's meeting will be livestreamed and archived at the city website. The video link will appear when the meeting begins.

The agenda packet is also posted at the city website:
https://pub-holmesbeachfl.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=4202a6c5-6714-4a40-81b6-a5bc0a9ef12b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English

06/22/2026

Mantee County Beach Patrol rescued 136 swimmers in three days on Anna Maria Island.

Manatee County Beach Patrol rescued 136 beachgoers from dangerous rip currents over a three-day period from June 17 throughJune 19.

06/22/2026

Monday, June 22 meeting: Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches will be the topic of Monday's Anna Maria City Commission workshop at 1 p.m. “The commission will review and discuss the current regulations of commercial activity on the beach,” the meeting agenda says. Commission workshops do not generally result in final decision-making, but public input will be accepted.