I MANATEE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

April13, 2012

Nancy Rettinhouse District Manager, Sun coast U.S. Postal Service Suncoast District 2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1032 Tampa, 33607-7132

Dear Ms. Rettinhouse:

On behalf of the Manatee Board of County Commission, thank you for your recent presentation at the Sahib Temple in Sarasota explaining the U.S. Postal Service's proposed re-alignment and consolidation. As the U.S.P.S. faces a $13 billion debt, we understand the importance of taking steps to save money and maximize the efficiency of the postal service.

It appears from researching the proposed consolidation of regional processing and distribution centers that maximum savings would be achieved not by closing the Manasota Postal Distribution Center, but by transferring work from the Fort Myers facility to the Manasota and Tampa Postal Distribution Centers. Recent Area Mail Processing studies (attached) point out the postal service could save approximately $15.8 million by transferring mail processing operations from the Fort Myers PDC to the Manasota and Tampa centers, nearly twice as much as the $8.5 million in annual savings estimated from consolidating the Manasota PDC into the Fort Myers center.

The Manasota center has provided reliable service and quality jobs to Manatee and Sarasota County residents for years. Under the proposal, the mail would travel from this district, north to Tampa and then south to Fort Myers, adding hundreds of miles before it is delivered back to this area. This is an impractical solution that will result in a two to three day service standard for First-Class Mail which would be a significant delay to our residents who currently enjoy next-day local service.

Most importantly, we believe closing the Manasota center would be counterproductive to local governments' efforts to create and retain local jobs. We are concerned about the impact of the proposed consolation on timely mail service, jobs and the economy. The proposed consolidation would threaten our economic recovery by resulting in the loss of an estimated 209 local jobs and make this area less attractive to businesses more likely to locate near a mail processing center. The Manasota area has a population of more than 702,000 and at least 83,000 more people than Lee County.

P.O. Box 1000, Bradenton, Florida 34206 • Fax (941)745-3790 • Ph. (941)745-3700 Nancy Rettinhouse Date: April13, 2012 Page 2

We urge the USPS to reconsider the transfer of operations from Fort Myers to Manasota and Tampa which would nearly double the savings, save local jobs and maintain quality, timely mail service to our residents.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA d~fl,+ JOHN R. CHAPPlE Chairman

Enclosures

cc: Manatee Board of County Commission Sarasota Board of County Commission Sen. Bill Nelson Sen. Marco Rubio Congressman Congresswoman Kathy Castor Sen. Mike Bennett Sen. Arthenia Joyner Sen. Nancy Detert Rep. jim Boyd Rep. Darryl Rouson Rep. Rep. Ray Pilon Ed Hunzeker, Manatee County Administrator Nicholas Azzara, Manatee County Information Outreach Coordinator Charlie Hunsicker, Director, Manatee County Natural Resources Department jocelyn Hong, 21st Century Group Bob Bartz, President, Manatee County Chamber of Commerce Sharon Hillstrom, President & CEO, Manatee Economic Development Corporation AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY Manasota FL P&DC to Fort Myers FL P&DC

March 20, 2012

An Area Mail Processing (AMP) study was initiated to evaluate the transfer of destinating mail processing operations from the Manasota FL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to the Fort Myers FL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). The initial results of the study support the business case for consolidation. This study, currently in review at United States Postal SeNice Headquarters and its Area Office, is subject to change.

A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. The public's input will be considered prior to a final decision. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April4, at 6:00p.m., at the Sahib Shrine Auditorium, 600 North Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34232. Below are preliminary highlights from the study:

Business Case:

Below is a breakdown of the estimate of annual savings:

Annual Mail Processing Employee Savings $4,383,283 Annual Management Savings $ 1,098,423 Annual Maintenance Savings $4,250,707 Annual Transportation Cost $(1 ,219,270)

Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $8,513,143

Postal Employees:

Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 126 positions is projected. All bargaining employee reassignments will be made in accordance with the respective collective bargaining agreements.

Proposed Craft Employee Impact at Manasota P&DC -209 Proposed Craft Positions to be added at Fort Myers P&DC + 94 Proposed Net Craft Employee Impact after consolidation -115 Net SupeNisor/Management Employee Impact - 11

Local Customer Considerations:

• There are no retail seNices at the Manasota Processing and Distribution Center. • Local business mail acceptance times may change as a result of the AMP. • Local collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP. • A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail at retail locations. • Delivery times of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP. • The proposed consolidation would support a 2 to 3 day seN ice standard for First-Class Mail.

Commercial Mailers:

• Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts. • Mailers who drop ship to Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) 342 can expect changes if the AMP is approved.

Written comments may be sent to:

Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact Suncoast District 2203 N Lois Ave, Ste 1163 Tampa, FL 33607-7163

All comments must be postmarked by April19, 2012. 81 !If&:J ,,!. ;i.·,,, •'' '·'; ''I ·':.• '. 'I AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY Fort Myers FL P&DC to Tampa FL P&DC & Manasota FL P&DC

November 30, 2011

An Area Mail Processing (AMP) study was initiated to evaluate the transfer of mail processing operations from the Fort Myers FL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to the Tampa FL Processing anci Distribution Center (P&DC) and the Manasota FL Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). The initial results of the study support the business case for consolidation. This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service Headquarters and its Area Office, is subject to change.

A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback. The public's input will be considered prior to a final decision. The meeting will be held on Thursday, December 15, at 6:00p.m., at Edison State College, Walker Hall, Building AA, Room 177, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers, FL 33919. Below are preliminary highlights from the study:

Business Case:

Below is a breakdown of the estimate of annual savings:

Annual Mail Processing Employee Savings s 9,192,685 Annual Management Savings $ 2,669,284 Annual Maintenance Savings $ 5,860,800 Annual Transportation Costs s (1,86~.691)

Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $15,858,078

Postal Employees:

Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 246 positions is projected. All bargaining employee reassignments will be made in accordance with the respective collective bargaining agreements.

Net Craft Employee Impact '223 Net Supervisor/Management Employee Impact - 23

Local Customer Considerations:

• There are no retail services at the Fort Myers P&DC. • Local business mail acceptance times may change as a result of the AMP. • Local collection box pick-up times may change as a result of the AMP. • A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail at retaillo~ations. • Delivery times of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP. • The proposed consolidation would support a 2 to 3 day service standard for First-Class Mail.

Commercial Mailers:

• Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts. • Mailers who drop ship to Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) 339, 341 can expect changes if the AMP is approved.

Written comments may be sent to:

Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact Suncoast District 2203 N Lois Ave, Ste 1163 Tampa, FL 33607-7163

All comments must be postmarked by December 30, 2011.