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What: Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority meeting

When: 9 a.m. Nov. 18

Where: Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium

Why: To consider three bridge replacement projects.

Who: Open to the public

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What do you think of paying a higher bridge toll?

Yes, we have to replace our aging bridges. No, the tolls are high enough. I don't know. The bridge replacement plans should not cost so much.

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Facing the most massive bridge replacement project in island history, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will also have to deal with a potentially critical turnover in Board personnel, too.

Four of five voting seats will be vacated in November 2010 by expired terms, along with two of four appointees, as GIBA attempts to finance and bid out what is expected to be a $40 million bridge replacement project.

"The most critical issue is the terms of four of the five voting members expires in November," said GIBA Chairman Rohrer. "This will be the largest turnover the bridge has had. We will need enthusiastic, dedicated replacements while we take on one of the biggest projects in Boca Grande history in terms of cost, inconvenience and maintaining the island ambiance and safety."

GIBA was created by the state of Florida 13 years ago to serve as an independent special district. The nine GIBA Board of Directors members include five voting seats elected by the public and four appointees.

Rohrer, George Castrucci, Grace Harvey and Peter Sholley will exit voting seats next year while Dick Ryan's term as an appointee ends. There is also one appointed GIBA seat open.

Rohrer pointed out that the governor will appoint someone to fill vacancies if no one runs for the positions. And that's not what he wants.

"If he decides to appoint anyone, then this is out of our hands," Rohrer said. "We need island people."

GIBA is funded wholly by $1 million in annual bridge toll revenues. The $3 million in annual debt load needed to build the bridges means a toll increase is expected, said Executive Director Jim Cooper.

GIBA meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss a number of critical issues such as a toll increase, a request for proposals for designing the South Bridge replacement, project costs and construction timelines.

"We're hoping to have an RFP for the design of South Bridge," Rohrer said. "Hopefully if it's OK for their approval, it will go out."

The size of the possible toll increase depends on a number of issues, including engineering and financial considerations, Rohrer said.

"Timing of when we build the bridges is very important," he said. "We have to look at how we structure toll increases to build a cash reserve. If we are able to do the swing bridge last we could generate cash reserves so we wouldn't have to borrow so much money. If the swing bridge is deteriorating we might have to replace it sooner."

Some concerns about the bridge replacement projects involve quality of life on the island. Cooper said he's aware people are worried more bicyclists will come to the island once the bridges are replaced. The current spans have no sidewalks and no shoulders, which makes cycling dicey.

"Theoretically, when you open a Rails to Trails bike path, the more likely it is more people will head up there," he said.

GIBA is one of more than 1,500 special districts in the state that provide limited local government services such as fire control, library, port and inlet, mosquito, water control, community development, roads and hospital care.

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