An Open Letter to Manatee County Voters

As a resident of Manatee County for nine years, I have watched the explosive growth and unyielding control of the county commission by the local developers, which has been deeply concerning. Three county commission seats are up for election in the August 18th Primary. Mike Rahn, District 4, is running for re-election after four years of voting in favor of developers’ interests. His background is in real estate and the building industry. 

Incumbent Amanda Ballard, District 2, is an attorney whose husband, David Ballard, was also in the building industry. Like Rahn, Commissioner Ballard’s voting record reflects her representing the local developers’ interests. 

Here are the questions each Republican Primary voter can ask themselves in deciding who to vote for: “Am I better off now than four years ago?” 

Has the county commission improved roads, making them better for your work commute? 

Further, has the county commission made roads safer for your family? 

Has the county commission improved trash services? 

Has the county commission improved and expanded wastewater systems to keep up with residential building? 

Has the county commission regulated residential buildings to ensure there is enough water for the county residents? 

The primary reason the county government exists is to provide infrastructure which is paid for by our tax dollars. Every decision facing the board should be framed around how it will affect the building and maintenance of county infrastructure. 

Inadequate and Unsafe Roads - Infrastructure and Safety

Right now, the county has a terrible track record on roads just in Parrish. One road in particular, Moccasin Wallow Road, is the only way to reach I-75 for thousands of residents: 

Back in 2021, news outlets had already reported a long history of serious car accidents on Moccasin Wallow Road in Parrish. Nothing has changed. The road remains two lanes, under construction, with no emergency lane, forcing residents of several newly built neighborhoods to try to turn left to reach I-75 during their morning commute. Unchecked development allowed thousands of homes, each with thousands of cars, to fight it out every morning just to get out of their subdivision, causing wrecks and harming Manatee County residents. Last year, there was a fatal head-on collision, killing two. Last year, a multiple-vehicle crash involving a rollover occurred. Last month, four were injured in a crash at Summerwoods and Moccasin Wallow Road. 

Inadequate Trash Pick-up Services 

Trash services were reduced by the county commission in 2026 from two days a week to one day a week. Two trash cans were replaced by one slightly larger trash can by the county. On trash pick-up day in my neighborhood, Copperstone, the trash cans are overfilled and inadequate to contain the trash. 

Outdated Wastewater Services - Infrastructure and Safety Issue

Last month, on July 30, the county reported that a 20-year-old main broke, causing 17,700 gallons of sewage to spill along the Manatee River. The county was able to recover almost 8,000 gallons of the sewage. Last year, the county spilled 1.7 million gallons of wastewater into the Manatee River. 

Outdated Stormwater Drainage - Infrastructure and Safety Issue

Last Sunday, August 2, a Facebook user in the group “Eff You! I’m from Bradenton” posted a video of the road flooding so high on 14th Street West that the east lane was unusable. 

Clean Water Services - Infrastructure and Safety

Reported July 29, 2026, despite the summer supplying as much as 70% of Manatee County’s annual rain, it appears it will not be enough to replenish our water supply this year. It was already reported on May 12, 2026, that residents were experiencing decreased water pressure, which indicated how serious the drought really is in the county. The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a modified Phase 3, or extreme water shortage across the region. At this time, two-thirds of daily water supply comes from Lake Manatee. Instead of planned and paced growth, the county commissioners' plan is to withdraw water from the Peace River, originally planned for 2030, but changed to 2036. At the rate the county is going, they will likely move the plan back up to 2030. 

Hurricane Milton Federal Disaster Relief for Manatee County - $252 Million 

Over a year ago, the county commission received $252 million dollars from the federal government for disaster relief. The commission set up a "forgivable loan program” of $75 million, much like the federal PPP loans during COVID. Designed to aid low- to moderate-income households in paying for hurricane home repairs, it remains to be seen if it will work any better than the PPP loans did. 

Based on the voting record of Mike Rahn and Amanda Ballard and the life and safety issues that still have not been solved during their terms in office, I know my family cannot afford another four years of their disastrous performances. 

Mollie Ewing is a  Manatee County resident and the owner/operator of  Parrish-based Powell Construction & Repairs, Inc.  Ewing has held a Florida Certified Building Contractor license for 26 years. 

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