Why did ECCSC dissolve early?

One the of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the Escambia County Consolidation Study Commission (ECCSC) is why the commission dissolved almost immediately after completing its charter proposal. Unlike other similar commissions, it didn’t remain intact for a period thereafter to answer questions from the community or draft a final report. Instead, the commission dissolved just days after taking its final vote, dumping all of its public records on Escambia County and absolving its members of records or Sunshine responsibilities.

Indeed, recent emails reveal that ECCSC chair Ken Bell originally intended to dissolve much later, after the Legislature passed the Special Act enabling a referendum on consolidation. Mr. Bell mentioned that timeline as recently as January 6, in an email to Janet Brown, executive assistant to Pensacola City Manager Al Coby:

Once the special act is passed by the Legislative Delegation, the Commission should be able to officially disband and then turn the public records over to the County. If you have any questions, contact me.

When did the plan change to dissolving just after the final vote?

Below is the January 6 email from Ken Bell to Janet Brown:

Download RE_-confirmation-of-use-of-City-facilities_equi....pdf (PDF, 49.74KB)