MANATEE COUNTY — A new chairman will lead Manatee County Commission meetings beginning in 2025. During its first regular meeting since the election, the newly seated board elected next year’s officer appointments for the BOCC, the Tourist and Development Council, and the county’s Port Authority.
Commissioner George Kruse received the only nomination for the board's chairman role on Tuesday. The vote to appoint him passed unanimously.
Kruse serves as one of two of the commission’s “At Large” commissioners—"at large" districts are county-wide. He was first elected to the District 7 at large seat in 2020 and won reelection this year after defeating former commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge in the Republican Primary and a Democratic challenger during the general election.
Despite having served a previous four-year term, this appointment will serve as the second-term commissioner's first time as the board’s chairman.
Last year the board selected Commissioner Mike Rahn as its chairman. Rahn was first elected as commissioner in 2022 and had served just half of his four-year term before being appointed to the role. Not only was Kruse passed over for consideration for the role of chair last year—despite having served on the commission longer than Rahn—but having found himself often at voting odds with the previous board majority, Kruse was passed over for consideration for any officer appointments.
The board of county commissioners annually elects its Chair, First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, and Third Vice-Chair. The Board also appointed one of its members to sit on the Tourist Development Council (TDC) as well as the officers of the Port Authority. The new officers' terms shall begin at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2025.
The elected appointments are as follows:
Board of County Commissioners
Chairman- Commissioner George Kruse
First Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Bob McCann
Second Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Tal Siddique
Third Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Carol Ann Felts
Manatee County Port Authority
Chairman- Commissioner Mike Rahn
First Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Bob McCann
Second Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Amanda Ballard
Third Vice-Chairman- Commissioner Tal Siddique
Tourist Development Council (TDC)
Chairman- Commissioner Amanda Ballard
Alternate Chair- Commissioner Tal Siddique
Click the video below to replay the BOCC officer nomination and appointment process.
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lib224
A good start, now get rid of the politically appointed employees, and get back a real county administrator.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Report this
mcems1986
Good for Commissioner Kruse, good for the citizens, served by this BOCC. 2025 is looking good at the start. Agree with a change from 9th floor down and then thru Departments thay have been over staffed with leadership. Multiple Deputy Directors have been established over the past 4 years. Need to get back to WORK THAT MATTERS.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Report this
Cat L
Good for GK, he will do well. Hopefully the other developer chumps get voted out next round, as well. Enough with the culture war crap, it's only harming this country and turning neighbors against one another. People who win through negativity shouldn't lead.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Report this
Lktinsanfran
In my opinion, George Kruse is the only board member not on the take. I believe he is genuinely there to help the citizens of Manatee County, unlike the other corrupt members. We need to get this "den of thieves" out of there and start anew.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Report this
Lizarnold
Great… now let’s start by hiring a professional County Administrator…. The citizens were promised a national search. They got Hopes (charged now with several felonies), and then Bishop who rose through the ranks but is not truly qualified for the job. And why does the County suddenly need so many assistant or deputy County Managers? And why can’t citizens ever seem to view an organization chart? Wonder if the County has ever considered a hiring freeze for a period of time?
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 Report this