MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Consolidating cities is a topic being weighed in Manatee County when it comes to the three cities that reside on Anna Maria Island. Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach might be unified into one single city – meaning all government and municipal services would be combined under one roof.

The idea was sparked by a motion to conduct a study on the matter made by Bradenton lawmaker Rep. Will Robinson. Now the state is conducting a consolidation study to see what options look like.

Some residents like the idea; they say it could make it easier, especially with more people moving here. But others I spoke to, including the Mayor Holmes Beach, say it’s going to take away from the charm of the island.

In response to the proposed legislation, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability launched a review of the situation in order to advise the state legislature on costs and other factors associated with the bill.

The office is a research arm of the Florida legislature that’s tasked with drafting a report on proposed legislation so lawmakers understand the potential costs or benefits associated with a potential measure under consideration.

Major Judy Titsworth is reviewing a notice letter sent by the OPPAGA.

“As directed by the legislature, the office of program policy analysis and government accountability is reviewing the potential benefits of consolidating municipal services and government structures of Anna Maria Island,” the letter said.

Titsworth says the state ordered a consolidation study to potentially combine the cities of Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach into one new city or absorb all of them into Bradenton or Manatee County.

She first received this notice on Halloween.

“It was very threatening and scary,” she said.

She says she is against the consolidation.

“What I’m most worried about is the loss of our charters, which will have a profound impact on the quality of life out here,” she said.

She says if this goes into effect; she believes residents will move out of the city.

“People are very upset calling what can they do? No one ever expected this to happen,” she said.

But others think it’s a good idea.

“I think you can do that and I think everybody can benefit from it if the right people govern it,” Jim Greenmun said.

Greenmun and his wife have lived in Florida for almost 30 years. He says as more people continue moving here, he believes this consolidation could help make that process smoother.

“With more people coming, the harder it is to manage, so you would need something larger than just the local area because everybody is coming through,” he said.

Titsworth has deep roots here, standing at a historic landmark donated by her family, which Holmes Beach was named after. She hates the thought it could be turned into something else.

“We spent years blood sweat and tears donating our time donating money to improve these parks then for the state to do this type of grab, it’s so wrong,” she said.

Titsworth has until Dec. 8 to turn in all the requested study information over to the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability.

In a statement to Spectrum Bay News 9, Robinson, who is spearheading this effort, said: “The study will look at all options available to make the Island stronger and more efficient.”

One goal he expressed was a desire to keep the building height protected from going any higher.

Robinson says it could take months before the study is complete.