Expenses & Funding
What will this process cost?
The We Are Perdido organization is powered by local volunteers, including the 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.
Three feasibility study firms, a contemporary incorporation effort, 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 We Are Perdido 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.
A research firm specializing in municipal incorporation efforts is responsible for producing the feasibility study. Their 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, they are tasked to gather all information and back their findings through legislative committees.
$40KThe survey component of the feasibility study requires a geographical survey of the proposed municipal boundaries.
$10-15KMuch 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.
$15-20KSuccessful 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.
$40-50KThe 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.
$20-25KOur 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.
$2-3KSummer 2023 Budget Message
As of July 2023, 100% of donations have been from citizens and businesses within the proposed municipal boundaries. 88% of all expenses so far are research and polling related (BJM Consulting and a professional survey firm). Every major expense to date has come in under budget when compared to initial projections. Volunteer efforts and drafting the charter locally have saved thousands of dollars. The study firm, BJM Consulting, has confirmed that our in-house volunteer efforts continue to bring significant cost savings on their not-to-exceed quote. The quote for the surveyor is significantly under budget as well.
Local citizens have donated roughly $25,000 to date, in line with expenses thus far. To stay within our proposed timeline and to cover a number of upcoming expenses, the organization has set a short-term fundraising goal of $75,000 by the end of August, 2023. This figure includes the funds raised to date, so approximately $50,000 remains to be raised to stay on schedule.
We Are Perdido formed as a Florida nonprofit corporation, and filed for 501(c)4 status. The organization is powered by local citizen volunteers. Continuing the effort will only be possible through the contributions of local citizens.