Envision Perdido, a newly formed organization, has announced plans to gather input from Perdido residents regarding the community’s future development priorities. The organization is positioning itself as a platform for community dialogue about local growth, environmental concerns, and quality of life issues.
- According to their recent announcement, Envision Perdido intends to conduct meetings with local organizations in the coming weeks. These initial conversations are described as the first step in a broader engagement process. The organization has indicated that public meetings and events will follow, with the stated goal of soliciting input from both organizations and individual community members.
Stated Goals
Envision Perdido describes its mission as creating “a shared community commitment to preserve Perdido’s culture, to protect its natural beauty, and to balance progress with local values and environmental stewardship.” The organization appears to be positioning itself as a facilitator of community discussion rather than an advocacy group with predetermined positions on development issues.
Contact info: Community members interested in learning more about these planned engagement activities can reportedly find additional information on the organization’s website at https://envisionperdido.org. According to their announcement, the organization can also be contacted via email at info@envisionperdido.org.
Read 20250329 – Media Advisory – Envision Perdido.
Background
In recent years, the Perdido area has experienced ongoing discussions about development patterns and environmental impacts. A previous incorporation effort, led by We Are Perdido, did not move forward in 2023 but sparked conversations about local governance and community planning.
- The 2023 incorporation effort wanted to establish Perdido as a municipality in Escambia County. We Are Perdido argued that incorporation would allow local residents to have greater control over their community through “Home Rule,” preserve the area’s quality of life, and ensure that more tax dollars are reinvested locally. Proponents believe it could address issues like zoning, planning, and infrastructure while fostering a community-centered approach to governance.
We Are Perdido commissioned a feasibility study through BJM Consulting, which concluded that incorporation was financially viable without requiring new taxes. The study projected positive fiscal outcomes and minimal impact on existing residents or Escambia County services. It also highlighted strengths such as Perdido’s strong tax base and opportunities for smart development.
The proposal gained some traction during an October 2023 Escambia County legislative delegation meeting, where local representatives voted unanimously to move the initiative forward. However, this was just one step in a lengthy process requiring approval from the Florida Legislature and the governor before residents could vote on incorporation.
Despite initial progress, State Rep. Alex Andrade announced in November 2023 that he would not file the necessary local bill to place the incorporation question on the ballot. Andrade cited significant issues with the feasibility study that would require substantial revisions. He encouraged We Are Perdido to conduct further due diligence and public outreach before pursuing the initiative again.
In an Inweekly interview, Andrade voiced support for letting Perdido voters determine the issue, but he cited issues with the study.
“Unfortunately, what the feasibility study did not take into account is that the EUCA is a separate, independent political body,” Andrade said. “The money they generate picking up people’s trash in unincorporated as Escambia County is not a franchise fee or a tax like the county would collect if a private company picked up trash. You have, I think it’s a five or 6% franchise fee on your electricity, the same way that goes to the county.”
He calculated that the study overestimated potential revenues for the City of Perdido by “about $327 per household.” Andrade explained, “I either needed to add a tax increase — a proposed millage for this new city by $327 per household, or I needed to add language in there explicitly providing for a waiver saying even if they don’t hit a certain revenue threshold, they could still collect the $3 to $6 million they’d get in sales tax revenue from the state. Those were two things that I didn’t feel comfortable. I didn’t think it was right for me on my own to put into this bill..”