Advocates Seat New Board, Learn About Incorporation At Annual Meeting

Pensacola Beach Advocates annual meeting packed the Beach Church’s Randle Hall November 5 to seat a new board, review financials and to learn about incorporation. PBA President Rhonda Dorfman, in front of 100 attendees, welcomed elected officials and introduced PBA Board members Jesse Penico, Greg Hodges, Steve Luppert, Bob Kellner and Sharon Loper. Board Nominees Susan Roberts and Marc Marrocco ran unopposed, so they will replace Luppert and Kellner, whose terms are complete.

Dorfman presented the financial statements stating that membership dues is their main revenue source, and their largest expense to date is their website software, Wild Apricot. Membership has increased to 215 but Dorfman would like to see this number grow in 2026.

She covered the highlights of the PBA annual poll (see PBA Updates, page 8) where 72 respondents weighed in on beach issues. Dorfman emphasized the importance of the poll noting that the PBA Board sets their agenda based on the results. They also share the results with the SRIA and Escambia County.

Dorfman explained that the needs of the beach residents are not being met by their governing agencies, which prompts the constituency into looking at other forms of governance.

“We are very frustrated with the lack of transparency at the SRIA and the lack of vision to make the Authority the best it can be,” said Dorfman.

The featured speaker was the Florida League of Cities Director of Member Services and Training Chris Holley. Holley, who introduced himself and outlined the state’s local governmental structure. In Florida, there are 67 counties each with a school district, approximately 1600 special districts and 411 municipalities with Jacksonville having the largest population.

He outlined the path to incorporating begins with a population of residents who are passionate about their community and are willing to gain the approval of the state legislators who represent their district. He said they must educate and communicate with the community members and the elected officials. Preparation is key. A comprehensive feasibility study must be conducted. Holley said because of the unique nature of Pensacola Beach and its lease system a very high quality feasibility study would be critical.

“This is the document where you start to look at how your city would function, how the funding mechanism would work, what services would be provided and what your budget would look like,” said Holley.

The Florida League of Cities serves as a resource and can provide examples of other communities’ charters. Holley showed 9 communities who undertook incorporation over the last 20 years; four were successful. Perdido was unsuccessful.

The citizens bring their request to the State delegation along with the feasibility study. If the Legislature moves forward on the request a Special Act is created. If it is approved and the Governor signs it, a date is set for a local vote.

It would then be placed on the ballot for Pensacola Beach’s registered voters to approve or not.

“Through a feasibility study you will come up with your plan, your charter, which is your constitution,” explained Holley. “Then it will go to the State Legislature who will hopefully approve it. Finally, it would come back here for another vote.”

The comparison of the potential cost to the individual residents involves so many variables that the presentation by Arthur Leary did not reveal any hard costs. Leary said, “The ultimate impact will depend on negotiated tax rates, service levels, and the efficiency of the new governance structure.”

Incorporating a city is not the only change available. According to Dorfman, the SRIA is a dependent special district of Escambia County which could be changed to an independent special district like that at DisneyWorld. The Villages is governed by a community development corporation, an independent district. She also offered that the SRIA Board composition could be changed to elected beach leaseholders only.

“Where there is a will, there is a way,” said Dorfman, who feels that the beach’s local government needs to change to become more responsive to its citizens.

Membership in the Pensacola Beach Advocates is $30 per year and is open to leaseholders and those with an interest in Pensacola Beach. Dorfman encouraged PBA members and interested parties to go to PBAdvocates.org to view presentations, and learn more about membership.

Chris Holley, II, Florida League of Cities at the PBA Nov 5 Annual Meeting