Lakewood Ranch Residents Reject Incorporation via Straw Poll

photo courtesy of lakewoodranch.com

LAKEWOOD RANCH – By a 13 percent margin, residents of Lakewood Ranch rejected the idea of incorporating into their own city. The recent straw poll was the critical step of a multiphase process which ends upon the failure to win majority support.

Rob Lane, Managing Partner of Kerkering, Barberio & Co. whose firm conducted the poll, said in a release, ”Overall we are very satisfied with the process. We did receive about 200 inquires from residents who had issues with not receiving ballots. Upon analysis, some were not registered voters in Lakewood Ranch, some did not receive forwarded mail and some simply did not receive a ballot. As members of the Lakewood Ranch community, we have been pleased to provide our independent services to this very important issue.“

The proposition was hotly debated between groups that argued it would give more local control over the community and opposition that not only denied claims of increased autonomy, but warned of potential tax hikes once a new city took over many services currently provided by the county. A controversial feasibility study had been performed last year that claimed viability and surplus revenues, however, the process required a majority of citizen support before the proposal could be sent to the state legislature.