ENGLEWOOD - North Port holds the key to the continued existence of the seven-member Englewood Area Planning and Advisory Board.

If the North Port City Commission votes to withdraw from the organization at its meeting Monday, the EAPAB will be dissolved as a government entity.

"We would like North Port to vote to support the EAPAB, at least until the sunset," said Nita Edmondson-Cole, chairwoman of the Englewood Area Planning Advisory Board, referring to the provision ending the board's charter in 2010.

The EAPAB was formed in 1995 to address the governmental needs of Englewood, a 100-square-mile town split between Sarasota and Charlotte counties. The interlocal agreement remains intact until two members vote to pull out of it.

EAPAB issues include the U.S. 776 corridor design and the efforts to reconcile of Charlotte County's building codes with those of Sarasota County.

Sarasota County and Charlotte County have three EAPAB members while North Port has one.

Edmondson-Cole has convinced Charlotte County to remain on board.

Sarasota County Commissioner Shannon Staub has made it clear that the county will leave July 1. Staub said the EAPAB would better serve the community by becoming a civic organization to avoid any possible Sunshine Law entanglements and other government restrictions.

Edmondson-Cole said unincorporated Englewood needs a group devoted to its specific needs.

"There are several organizations that claim to represent Charlotte County and Sarasota County in the Englewood area and I can't say I've seen a lot of results," Edmondson-Cole said.

Staub said county staffing cuts made it difficult to continue participating in as many advisory boards as in the past. Sarasota County has more than 150 advisory boards, including the EAPAB.