Pat Neal leads new push to incorporate

APRIL FOOLS — 

LAKEWOOD RANCH — With a background in politics, Lakewood Ranch-based developer Pat Neal is confident he has the skills necessary in helping Lakewood Ranch finally becomes its own city.

And after a new Florida statute relaxed the incorporation process easier this year, Neal has become the main voice behind the second effort for cityhood.

The Florida Senate passed on March 8 the CS/SB 692 bill, which will go into effect July 1. The bill, titled “Formation of Local Governments,” revised several of the steps required for incorporation, including the deadline for a feasibility study. It also makes it much easier to get the incorporation resolution placed for voter input.

And because much of the work completed by the resident-led Incorporation Study Committee is still valid, Neal is confident his resolution for the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch will make it onto November ballots.
No new straw poll will be taken, he said. Furthermore, no discussions or public presentations are scheduled.
Neal said he questioned the accuracy of the straw poll conducted in August, which resulted in a narrow victory for those opposing incorporation. In that poll, less than half of Lakewood Ranch voters responded. Of those, only 56.5% voted against incorporation. Those numbers aren’t a true representation of Lakewood’s opinion, Neal said.

Neal also noted several changes to the Incorporation Study Committee’s charter. The city would still operate on a mayor/city council-form of government. However, the mayor won’t be elected by either voters or the council. Instead, Neal will serve as the first mayor. There will be no term limits on the seat. When Neal relinquishes the post, he will appoint a successor.

Furthermore, Neal’s proposal will eliminate entering into a contract with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, which will save more than $500,000 annually. Instead, each neighborhood will form a street-by-street watch program. Each watch-program officer will identified with official T-shirts and a nametag. He or she will be armed with a flashlight and whistle.

POLL QUESTION
Below is the exact wording of the Lakewood Ranch incorporation resolution that will appear on November’s ballot.

Do you support building a stronger Lakewood Ranch community by giving it a true identity?