East Lake Annexation Bill Gets Final Approval

Lawmakers have given the final stamp of approval on a bill that prevents the involuntary annexation of Palm Harbor's East Lake Community. The Florida Senate approved the bill Monday, March 5. SB 1892 was grouped with other local bills for the vote.

Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Palm Harbor sponsored the bill in the house, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey sponsored it in the senate. Shortly after the bill passed in the senate Monday, the Council of North County Neighborhoods (CNCN) released the following statement:

"CNCN's Board of Directors would like to send special thanks to the hard work by Representative Peter Nehr and Senator Mike Fasano, co-sponsors of the bill, who together and tirelessly advocated for the bill's passage in Tallahasee for the past three years. Representative Nehr, who overcame many hurdles and objections was able to continuously steer the bill through the various committees until it finally reached the House floor for a vote. Senator Fasano who has always supported the East Lake residents, helped the bill move through the Senate. The bill passed 116-0 in the House and 39-0 in the Senate."

The idea for the bill surfaced after the city of Oldsmar unsuccessfully tried to annex the East Lake Woodlands community in 2009. East Lake residents and community leaders wanted to prevent future annexation attempts, which started efforts in the state legislature. The legislation finally passed Monday after two previous attempts in the legislature.

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