BOCC Receives Presentations on Homelessness Services Initiatives and Comp Plan Rewrite

BRADENTON — During a BOCC meeting Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners received updates on two important county initiatives. The first update presentation was on proposed Homelessness Service Initiatives, and the second was on the county’s Comprehensive Plan Rewrite. Each presentation included a board discussion and feedback.

Assessment of Currently Proposed Homelessness Service Initiatives and Recommended Strategic Action Steps for Manatee County

Commissioner Amanda Ballard introduced the presentation on the currently proposed Homelessness Service Initiatives. Ballard is the board’s appointed liaison for the Taylor Neighbors Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness Leadership Council.

While introducing the presenters for the item, Ballard shared that her desire to help address the county’s homelessness issue was one of the main inspirations for her seeking election.

Dr. Robert Marbut, Jr, was the lead presenter of the strategic plan of new and innovative initiatives implemented in Manatee County to help address local homelessness.

For more than three decades, Dr. Marbut has worked on issues of homelessness including as the Founding President and CEO of Haven for Hope (a comprehensive homeless transformational center), as well as under three different Presidential Administrations, including serving as the Executive Director of the US Interagency Council on Homelessness, among other significant past roles.

In 2024, Manatee County contracted with Dr. Marbut to assist the county in addressing the issue through a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach.

During his presentation, Marbut provided specific recommended actions for a strategic plan, including addressing the current and growing cases of homelessness in the community through establishing or expanding clinically based services specific to individual cohort groups with a focus on treatment and recovery.

Another recommendation included creating new supportive service facilities while designating some existing service providers to shift focus to specific individuals. As new facilities are established and operational, the county would shift to a “zero tolerance of encampments” policy.

Marbut’s recommendations also included suggestions for implementing data tracking, case management, and new housing opportunities.

Sergeant Joy Jewett also participated in the presentation discussion by sharing “on the ground” information and answering commissioner questions. Jewett is the lead homelessness outreach and support deputy with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Recently, Commissioner Amanda Ballard appeared as a guest on the TBT Podcast, where she shared personal insights into the collaborative work being done by the local government, community nonprofits, and other service providers to help address addiction and homelessness in the community and how new initiatives are being funded. Click here to listen to Episode 181.

To replay the Homelessness Services presentation, click the video below.



Comprehensive Plan Re-Write

Kelley Klepper, AICP, of Kimley-Horne & Associates, gave Tuesday's presentation on the Comprehensive Plan rewrite.

In May 2023, the county contracted the services of the engineering, planning, and design consultant firm to lead its Comprehensive Plan rewrite initiative. County staff worked in concert with Kimley-Horn on the project, which officially kicked off in July 2023.

Kimley-Horn has partnered with dozens of Florida counties and municipalities to create or rewrite their comprehensive plans. 

The county’s comprehensive plan is a long-term planning document that defines the community's future vision and establishes the associated goals, objectives, and policies that should guide decision-making toward achieving that vision. It outlines a defined plan for how the county will be developed and lays the foundation for its land development code.

A comp plan touches on almost every facet of a community’s quality of life, addressing land use and transportation, the environment and resources, parks and public services, and even historical preservation. Manatee County Government must maintain a comprehensive plan per Florida Statute 163.3167(2).

Manatee County’s current comprehensive plan was adopted in 1989.

This is at least Klepper's third presentation commissioners have received on the progress of the rewrite initiative, including a work session presentation in February. In addition, the consulting firm—in concert with county development services staff—has held two public outreach meetings.

Tuesday’s update presentation was specific to the comprehensive planning element of “transportation” and the proposed goals and/or strategies for addressing current and future transportation needs as the county continues to grow.

Manatee County Planning Division Manager Rachel Layton, AICP, told commissioners that the comp plan rewrite initiative is “making progress” and that information and summaries of the proposed changes are anticipated to be available for public review through the county’s website this summer.

Additional presenters for the update included Kimley-Horn Vice-President and Transportation Engineer Adam Kerr and Manatee County Multimodal Transportation Planner and Traffic Engineer Nelson Galeano.

To replay the Comprehensive Plan Re-Write presentation, click the video below.