A group of beach communities in Pinellas County are moving forward with their plans for independence.

The communities of Island Estates, Sand Key and Clearwater Beach want to be their own cities. Right now, they are considered part of Clearwater.

A group called Islands Independence Initiative have been looking into the move for several months now. On Tuesday night, they met with residents to discuss some of the reasons the beach communities want out.

Among the grievances are discrepancies in code enforcement and Pennies for Pinellas. In addition, proponents of the move feel they shoulder a disproportionate amount of the city’s financial burden.

“The islands are 10 percent of the population of the city of Clearwater, and we are paying over 40 percent of the real property taxes,” said organizer JoEllen Farnham.

The organization needs a feasibility study to move forward. It is asking for a donation of $155 per family to help pay for that study by Oct. 22.

The group plans to meet again Wednesday at the Meridian in the community of Sand Key, and then again Thursday night at Chapel by the Sea.

Source: http://www.baynews9.com/

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