The De-Annexation: Is The End Finally Near?

I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield Down by the riverside; study war no more.

~ Pete Seeger

Four years is a long time for a conflict to continue in a community. But perhaps the one seeking to divide Wellen Park from North Port is coming to a close.

The West Villagers for Responsible Government, which launched a de-annexation effort in 2020, sees the Myakka River as the northeast boundary of what would be a new community separate and distinct from North Port.

After simmering for years, the secession attempt took on greater meaning as North Port officials began a counter-offensive against de-annexation. And, like a three-legged stool, there’s a third party in the conflict: the developers of the sprawling new addition to North Port.

Wellen Park LLLP, developers of the community, had this to say in a written statement: “A significant portion of Wellen Park falls within the City of North Port and comprises District 5. As the developer of Wellen Park, we strongly oppose the West Villagers for Responsible Government (WV4RG), Inc.’s efforts to de-annex, or contract, all lands west of the Myakka River from the City of North Port. They represent a small minority of voices and have led their campaign and legal fight with misrepresentations of the truth and unsubstantiated claims about what de-annexation ultimately means for local residents.”

ABOVE: North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher speaks at a stop of the North Port United Tour. TOP: The Landing fishing pier on Grand Lake. CITY OF NORTH PORT / COURTESY PHOTO

If Wellen Park is de-annexed, the corporation will lose tax benefits and other amenities. Any immediate taxpayer savings would be wiped out by municipal services costs paid to North Port — costs that now are part of the tax bill.

In Southwest Florida years, North Port is venerable. The city, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this month (June), started out as a company town and has long since outstripped its frenetic beginnings.

As the second fastest-growing city in the area, North Port officials annexed what would become Wellen Park in 2002 at the request of the former landowners. That’s in keeping with the city’s aggressive annexation policy. Just this year, North Port voted to annex Warm Mineral Springs, a fading resort just southeast of Wellen Park, whose future has been undefined after suffering significant damage from Hurricane Ian in September 2022.

But after three score and several more years, North Port is showing the strains of urban growth. Along Biscayne Boulevard, or between Pan American Boule- vard and Ortiz Boulevard, is what City Manager Jerome Fletcher calls “Legacy North Port,” a fading inner core.

The city’s annexation of the former Thomas Ranch began a process that transformed acres of scrub pines and brush into a modern version of the century old City Beautiful school of urban planning, Wellen Park. Large public places, waterways and greenswards, and civic squares complement discrete neighborhoods with housing styles that range in taste and budget.

But if the waters of the Myakka River separate the communities, then a river of concrete and asphalt, U.S. 41, links them. In recent years, North Port has developed an urban core of shops and restaurants that rival communities such as Miramar on Florida’s east coast. From CoolToday Park in Wellen Park to the shops along U.S. 41 near Tuscola Boulevard is a drive of a few minutes. Even the river is being utilized as a bridge, as North Port recreation officials are promoting kayaking and other water activities along the Myakka.

But that’s not enough for some residents, who in 2021 organized the West Villagers For Responsible Government or WV4RG. Their website lists the following concerns:

• North Port politicians are driving the city toward a financial disaster and threatening to take everyone in West Villages with them.

• West Villages really isn’t part of the North Port community. We were illegally annexed so the developers could build thousands of homes and the city could tap our community as their new revenue source.

• Getting West Villages out of North Port city limits and into the unincorporated county will likely save every homeowner $7,500 to $15,000 or more in property taxes over the next decade with no reduction in municipal services.

(Note: Wellen Park, itself, refuted some of these claims on its website at wpfactstoknow.com . And Fletcher has encouraged residents to do their own research to determine the veracity of any claims, whether they be leveled by the city or another source or faction.)

Attorneys for the development initially filed to block the lawsuit and have asked for a judgment that would prevent the city from allowing residents to vote on de-annexation.

North Port’s first major reaction to the threat of secession was to pay a Fort Lauderdale-based consultant $74,000 to conduct a feasibility study on contraction. That report concluded that North Port could lose $16.3 million over six years if it were to give up all land west of the Myakka River.

Since then, the city has taken a more aggressive stance toward de-annexation. It launched a unity campaign (called the North Port United Tour) in which Fletcher and other staff have been meeting with disaffected residents, and has published an FAQ regarding de-annexation on its website ( www.northportfl.gov/City-Government/ City-Leadership/City-Manager/ North- Port- United/ De- Annexation Facts).

According to page on the city’s website ( www.northportfl.gov/City-Government/ City-Leadership/City-Manager/ North-Port-United):

“Wellen Park is Part of Our Community of Unity

“The City of North Port is the second fastest growing City in the United States and also ranked within the top 10 for population growth and job growth. Much of the city’s growth is centered in Wellen Park, a nationally renowned master planned community. With a hospital, a downtown center and lots of new shopping and dining destinations in its future, there’s plenty for everyone to look forward to. But with such a vast city spanning more than 100 square miles, it’s important we ensure all corners of our community feel welcome and engaged.”

After news on May 7 that the 2nd District Court of Appeal declined to overrule a lower court judge’s decision upholding the city’s denial of a citizen petition to contract the city limits, North Port City Attorney Amber Slayton released a written victory lap.

“While we have always been confi- dent in the City’s legal position related to all aspects of this contraction petition, this has been a multi-year process that has cost the City a great deal of time and money,” she wrote. “It is gratifying to see that the legal battle is almost over and that the City is likely to prevail as expected,” she added.

But John Meisel, chairman of WV4RG, says his group is not going away.

“We are conferring with legal counsel in determining next steps,” he wrote on the group’s Facebook page. “The war is not over, and I will continue to fight for the right of EVERYONE to exercise their constitutional rights and vote on the issue of contraction.”

Although West Villagers have appealed the decision, city offi- cials see the case as all but closed.

Days after the verdict, North Port Vice-Mayor Phil Stokes wrote the following: “North Port touts itself as a Community of Unity, a place where anything is possible. With the de-annexation controversy in the rear window, it’s time to come together, appreciate how special our city is, and work together to help make North Port not just one of the fastest growing places in the county to live, but one of the best.”

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