BRADENTON — A controversial measure introduced by Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard regarding funding contracts for nonprofits was tabled Tuesday after it failed to secure a majority of the board's support and faced opposition from community members who addressed the proposal during public comment.
The policy would have required that language from federal law regarding noncitizens’ eligibility for certain public benefits be included in contracts for nonprofits receiving public funding through Manatee County Government.
Had the measure passed, nonprofits would have been required to certify that county funds are not used to serve undocumented immigrants, and those who did not comply would risk losing county funding.
Citizens and nonprofit leaders raised concerns that, should such a policy be implemented, it would create immense burdens on organizations whose goals and focus are on providing aid and/or resources to individuals in need within the community, and are not staffed with individuals educated or trained in immigration law or on how to define or verify the status of an individual in need.
Opponents argued that the measure would increase nonprofits’ operational costs while limiting access to assistance for community members who are otherwise eligible.
When introducing the item during the BOCC meeting on Tuesday, Ballard told commissioners that she felt strongly that the county government was issuing nonprofit contracts incorrectly for many years by not including or restating the federal law requirements regarding recipient eligibility, but also stated there was no data or evidence available that showed that any local public funding was being spent inappropriately or in violation of the law.
“I don’t know how large a proportion of those funds are going to people who are not in the country legally,” Ballard said. “It could be a small amount, or it could be many, many, many millions.”
Before the proposal was opened for public comment, Commissioners Bob McCann and George Kruse both provided feedback expressing their concerns about the administrative burdens such a measure would likely place on nonprofits and county staff.
“This is something that is very volatile because of the way it is being presented,” said McCann as he pushed back on the proposal. “I don’t know the intent of this, and there is no motion (on the agenda) for me to read. If you’re just asking to incorporate language into the contract, the thing is, it’s already federal law.”
Commissioner Kruse agreed with McCann.
“If this is already a federal law, and the state determines whether or not they are going to enact it, why do we need this language?”
Kruse continued, pointing to the limits of the local government’s jurisdiction.
“If the argument is that nonprofits are violating federal and state law, it’s not our job to oversee that…. If they are violating federal law, they should be handled by the state of Florida or the federal government.”
Once public comment opened, numerous speakers addressed the board on the measure, including representatives from local nonprofits such as Parenting Matters, Kim’s Crew, the Boys & Girls Club of Manatee, UnidosNow, Operation Warrior Resolution, Turning Points, the Manatee Community Foundation, and Step Up Suncoast.
Public speakers explained how their organizations are already required to follow and make every effort to remain in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. However, as some speakers illustrated, changing county nonprofit funding contracts to include language of a federal law could have unintended consequences.
“From a practical standpoint, nonprofits are not equipped to verify immigration status. We don’t have access to federal systems nor the authority to make those determinations,” Executive Director Kate Becker of Parenting Matters told commissioners.
Becker added that adding an attestation requirement to contracts would significantly impact her organization’s ability to deliver services to the community.
“Our Music in Motion early-learning class is held at libraries, and there is no feasible way to pre-screen families and children in those settings,” she explained.
John Agnelli, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives for the Manatee County Boys and Girls Club, also spoke on the proposal. “We will continue to comply with whatever laws are in place with regard to public funding. We take it seriously to be good stewards of the money that you all provide us, and that of any donor.
“With that said, if we are expected to screen individuals who are school-aged children to ensure they’re eligible for being served under county grants, we do need some clarity… (If these children) are currently enrolled in the Manatee County School District, for example, Plyler v. Doe, 1982, held that the school district has to educate those young people.
“We have school sites,” Agnelli continued. “We ask for clarity because we need to understand, will we be asked to start asking for social security cards, birth certificates, and other sensitive information.”
After hearing from numerous members of the public, including local nonprofit leaders, Ballard conceded that the measure required additional research and revision before it could be implemented. She then withdrew and tabled the item temporarily to allow for further changes, including collaboration with local nonprofits.
Still, Commissioners Tal Siddique, Kruse, and McCann confirmed that they preferred to see Ballard “toss” the proposal entirely, telling the commissioner that they would be unable to support her measure regardless of possible future revisions.
“I know this isn’t passing because it’s been removed,” Kruse said to Ballard, “and I’m thankful for that, but I just really, really encourage you just not to come back with this ever. I think this is a bad idea. I think we would be putting ourselves in a chain of liability by taking ownership of a federal law.”
Chair Siddique thanked Ballard for raising the topic for board discussion and consideration, but fought back tears as he detailed his own family’s immigrant background. Siddique said that, like Kruse, he would not support the measure—not even if it returned in the future.
“Overall, I’m against the proposal,” said Siddique, who added that federal immigration laws are lacking. “I would rather not see this come back. I just don’t think that there’s a real meaningful solution here unless there’s a change at the federal level.”
Pausing as he became visibly emotional, Siddique shared that his father was a legal immigrant who achieved the “American Dream.”
“While there’s a lot of negative public discourse on the issue of immigration, the law does not allow us to do anything meaningful about it," said Siddique. "I also think that we as a county owe it to ourselves to try and make our county—and the country—a little bit better by passing sensible policies that do make our community better. This is not it.”
McCann followed Siddique’s remarks by adding, “I understand the intent of bringing something like this, but jurisdictionally, it’s a federal jurisdiction. Immigration policy is federal.”
Having heard from her colleagues, Ballard said that while she appreciated their perspectives, she still felt strongly about her proposal.
“I still believe that the county has a place in this,” she said. “And I believe in accountability on this issue. I’m going to keep trying to work on something that works for everyone.”
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Lawdavid3265
Good call commissioners. Ms. Ballard, there are many other problems faced by this county that are more important and more pressing such as overdevelopment, education, emergency preparedness, water etc etc. Thanks to the many community leaders who spoke up.
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Wednesday, April 8 Report this
writerlynn9717
Really? Make it harder on the non-profits because you want to cut back expenses? Sickening. I'm sure there are hundreds of way to cut back that make sense. She can eventually be removed from office by voters, like what happened over the bad environmental decisions made in the past to help developers. It can happen again if commissioners start showing their lack of understanding of our many, real needs, at a time when government mostly ignores the needs of average and underprivileged population. When it quacks like a duck, it is a duck. Ballard just revealed a lot about what type of person she is. I would love to know the names of other individuals who are behind this, but I could probably name them without even personally knowing her. She should work in DC with the current federal administration, who only follow their own self-interests versus the majority of citizens. This stinks.
Wednesday, April 8 Report this
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
Commissioner Amanda Ballard
Manatee County Administration Building
1112 Manatee Ave W Bradenton, FL 34205 amanda.ballard@mymanatee.org
April 7, 2026
Re: Inconsistency in the Application of 8 U.S.C. § 1621
County Contracts Commissioner Ballard,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to your proposal to mandate 8 U.S.C. § 1621 compliance for all nonprofit organizations receiving county funding.
Frankly, you cannot have it both ways. It is a glaring contradiction to demand that small, essential nonprofits implement rigorous immigration status verification while simultaneously providing $250,703.00 in taxpayer funds to the School Board without requiring them to adhere to these same restrictive demands. If the intent of this proposal is "fiscal responsibility" or "legal compliance," then that standard must be applied across the board. Exempting the School Board while targeting nonprofits that provide a safety net for our most vulnerable residents is a double standard that the taxpayers of Manatee County should not accept.
Furthermore, your proposal risks ignoring the clear, mandatory exceptions built into 8 U.S.C. § 1621. Federal law explicitly protects the delivery of services that are necessary for the protection of life or safety, regardless of an individual's status. These exceptions include Emergency Medical Care: Necessary treatment for emergency medical conditions. Disaster Relief: Short-term, non-cash, in-kind emergency relief. Public Health: Immunizations and the testing and treatment of communicable diseases. In-Kind Services: Critical programs such as soup kitchens, crisis counseling, and short-term shelters.
By attempting to force nonprofits—many of which provide these exact services—into a role of federal immigration enforcement, you are creating a legal and administrative nightmare.
Targeting the parents of children who rely on these funds is not only a moral failing but a potential legal overstep given the federal carve-outs for life-saving services. Our community thrives when we support the health and safety of every resident. I urge you to reconsider this inconsistent and harmful proposal before it creates an insurmountable barrier for the families who call Manatee County home
Sincerely,
WTF
Thursday, April 9 Report this