The other two towns turned to the Indian Rocks Fire District for fire protection. Nobody worried about what voters might think. There was precedent. But this isn't to pick on the Redingtons. A few of the beach towns have their own police departments to guard their itsy bitsy realm.
Some towns rely on the sheriff.
St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island each have their own bus system, independent of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. Belleair Shore once tried to keep the people across the street in Belleair Beach from using the beach. No one wants to give up their power. They don't care the price. They really don't.