The Save the Estates organization is powered by local volunteers, including the co-chairman and all board members. Despite operating on these volunteer efforts, there are costs associated with research and the process of establishing a new town.
Several feasibility study firms and similar incorporation efforts of other town, and the Florida League of Cities, all advised that the process of a feasibility study all the way through a local vote typically costs $125-150K. This includes the feasibility study, a municipal charter, advocates in Tallahassee, community organization, and marketing. The following is a rough breakdown of the expenses as they were provided to the Save The Estates organization, and represent expenditures for a 2-year timeframe. Costs may vary, and certain items may be streamlined if more of the legwork is handled by local volunteers.
Feasibility Study ……………………. $20K – $40K
Steven Bourassa the Chairman of the Runstad Department of Real Estate from UW specializing in municipal incorporation efforts is responsible for producing the feasibility study. His work assumes a phased approach: a financial feasibility study, operational analysis and SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and compilation of the final report. Hosting local workgroups, interviewing county officials, and working with the state of Florida, he was tasked to gather all information and back his findings through legislative committees.
Surveyor ………………………. Donated
The survey component of the feasibility study requires a geographical survey of the proposed municipal boundaries.
Drafting a Proposed City Charter …………………. $15-20K
Much like a constitution for the town, this is a document drafted by a skilled lawyer with extensive experience in Florida municipal law and incorporation. They work in tandem with residents to determine the desired structure of government and then express it in the form of a municipal charter.
Advocates in Tallahassee ………………………… $40-50K
Successful advocacy in Tallahassee is crucial to any municipal incorporation effort. The local bill must survive multiple committees on its way to a vote on the floor of the state legislature and finally onto the governor’s desk.
Marketing ………………. $20-25K
The process of municipal incorporation depends on a well-informed, educated populace working together to decide the future of their area. Effective marketing is essential to ensure that the word gets out, citizens have the information they need, and the process engages the entire community.
General Operations ……………….. $2-3K
Our chairman and all board members are local volunteers. And while volunteers power the organization itself, there are basic operational costs associated with effectively running any non-profit – registration, insurance, legal, printing, mailing, etc.
Where do these funds come from?
In other Florida municipal incorporation efforts, the community bears the cost of the process. Save The Estates is a grassroots driven sub-committee of the Golden Gate Estates Area Civic Association which is a 501(c)4 Not-For Profit organization. A few citizens and the GGEACA community have kick-started the Feasibility Study and drafting of the Local Bill. Continuing the effort will only be possible through the contributions of generous Golden Gate Estates citizens and businesses like you.