On Friday, the Manatee County Legislative Delegation announced that the deeply unpopular bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill Conerly (R-Manatee County), to change the governmental structure of SeaPort Manatee from county commission oversight to an independent district with a board of appointees, has been withdrawn.
Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) and Chair of the Manatee County Legislative Delegation Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) issued the following statement:
"We support the conversation of an independent board to govern and advance a long-term vision for Seaport Manatee. Under the leadership of experienced, business-focused, and community-minded board members, Seaport Manatee will be better positioned to modernize, compete, and reach its full potential as an enterprise while prioritizing environmental stewardship and maintaining strong public accountability. We believe that the filed HB 4073 was well-intentioned. During the Manatee County Delegation hearing, we requested that the public reach out to us with their concerns as the bill progressed through the legislative process. Many of you have contacted our offices, and we appreciate your input.
"The proposed cruise terminal on Rattlesnake Key has understandably created public angst. While HB 4073 has no direct relationship to a cruise terminal, there are concerns about proposed changes to control and jurisdiction at this critical time. Therefore, we believe it is prudent to pause and withdraw the local bill from further consideration this legislative session and allow for continued dialogue with all stakeholders.
"It is also important to set the record straight on Rattlesnake Key. The island and surrounding wetlands are some of the last remaining undeveloped coastal lands in Tampa Bay, and it was our goal to protect them. In 2022, we successfully secured $23 million in state funding to purchase the property for conservation. Unfortunately, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) did not approve the purchase based on the FDEP appraisal. In 2024, we again secured approximately $8 million, with the county prepared to contribute additional funds, but negotiations fell apart when the property owner believed the land was worth more. The property has since been sold to a private entity, which is now pursuing a cruise terminal.
"Though circumstances have changed, our priorities remain the same. We seek to protect and conserve the beauty of our region, advance the priorities of our constituents, and make thoughtful, well-timed decisions about the future of Seaport Manatee."
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graumli22
Jim Boyd is up for re-election this year, can you tell?
Friday, January 23 Report this
robby11125
I agree with JB's re-election. We still need to watch this bill. They have been known to slip things in the backdoor when no one is watching. To say the bill was not related to the proposed cruise terminal is total BS.
Friday, January 23 Report this
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
I was in Tallahassee for Lobby days.We sat down with Conerly and asked him to remove HIS bill, He refused. we went on to address our concerns to our other elected officials. They must of gotten the message from us and others. We must stay diligent in all our county matters
For the Record
Friday, January 23 Report this
Dianna
Much appreciation to the citizens who traveled to Tallahassee to speak out in person against the takeover of our county. There were an abundance of destructive bills which will erode our "home rule" rights.
Friday, January 23 Report this
nellmcphillips
The battle needs to continue to keep development out of Tampa Bay and the Tera Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Boyd is blaming DEP for a bad appraisal but DEP paid $84 million for 4 acres near Destin. So who is to blame Boyd or DEP? Nothing short of permanent protection of these properties in Tampa Bay and the Terra Ceia Preserve will resolve these issues.
Friday, January 23 Report this
san.gander
No! The very idea of an independent board that can act without a local representative on that board is the opposite of community minded local input. This is "double-speak" on the part of these state representatives.
The bill was intentioned to make somebody "rich" to the detriment of the environment.
The private entity pursuing the destruction of sensitive coastal wetlands should be a PRIORITY STOP!
Take your Cruise Port South... Naples perhaps!
Friday, January 23 Report this
rjckeuka4
How does one trust Boyd or Robinson given some of the previous games they have played. Taken off the table for "ongoing discussion" doesn't do it as far as I'm concerned. When the rubber hits the road, they've voted against local control before. They'll do it again if the $$$$ benefit them!!!
Saturday, January 24 Report this
sandy
HB 4073 had to do with Seaport Manatee and absolutely nothing to do with the proposed PRIVATE port in Terra Ceia. And Boyd was right. The state originally offered $23 million along with the county providing $3 million for Rattlesnake Key. The appraisal came in at $7.5 million. The state then lowered their portion to $8 million. Negotiations failed when owner wanted $75 million. DeSantis totally cut the funding last year when then county was not awarded a single request for funding. The sale probably was to a buddy of the owner.
Saturday, January 24 Report this
serenowens
If they touch one Mangrove tree to build the cruise port the owners will be in violation of the Law. We have seen too many developers get away with destroying that most precious environment upon which the fishing industry depends as a nursery for their catch!
Sunday, January 25 Report this