NORTH PORT, Fla. (SNN TV) — Residents who want to separate from the city of North Port are appealing their case.
According to the Herald-Tribune, the group ‘West Villagers for Responsible Government’ has appealed a circuit court decision. That decision concluded the City Commission correctly interpreted state law in denying their petition for de-annexation in October 2022.
The appeal contends that 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Danielle Brewer incorrectly applied case law when she determined the City Commission afforded the residents’ group due process, followed the law, and based its decision on competent substantial evidence, as required under state law.
The residents are asking the appeals court to reject Brewer’s order and send the issue back to the City Commission with directions to move to contract the city’s boundaries.
The movement began in 2020. A state law approved this year by the Legislature amended aspects of the annexations law that would block future similar resident efforts anywhere in the state.