Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved two conservation land acquisitions totaling approximately 711 acres Tuesday, advancing the Environmental Lands Program's work as officials also addressed questions raised by a recent Inspector General audit of the program's finances.
The approvals come after an Oct. 9 publication of an Inspector General’s audit examining the program's revenues and expenditures from October 2022 through February 2026. The report identified areas for improvement in expense allocation, transparency, and financial reporting, prompting public commenters to ask on Tuesday how voter-approved conservation funds have been used.
The audit did not identify criminal wrongdoing, and auditors described program staff as knowledgeable and committed to spending funds in accordance with applicable statutes and county requirements.
The audit report comes as early voting is underway for a November referendum that would expand the county's funding authority for conservation land acquisitions. Commissioners approved placing the measure on the ballot in July, proposing an additional 0.16 mill in property taxes and authorization for up to $75 million in general obligation bonds.
After public comment on future agenda items and ahead of Tuesday's presentations and votes on the two conservation land items, officials clarified that the audit of the Environmental Lands Program was prompted by a request from staff serving the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee (ELMAC).
Referencing the audit and lands program, Commissioner George Kruse said, “We’ve acquired more land than we’ve taxed, because we’ve utilized bonds. I think anyone will see that it's been a very beneficial bond referendum from 2020.”
He was careful not to advocate either way for this year’s proposed referendum, but he said the audit's timing challenged the board because the referendum before voters this fall made it hard to discuss the program or audit findings as directly as they’d like.
He continued, “We as a board have had discussions—myself the most outspoken one, I believe—about only spending this money on acquisitions and not using it for operations and maintenance…and this is a board discussion where we can dictate that going forward.”
Kruse then offered that one of the drawbacks of the initial millage referendum was a determination that those funds could not be used for conservation easements. “That’s been a hugely missed opportunity for Manatee County,” he emphasized.
“You can vote however you see fit; I will not tell you how to vote, but I will point out that the vote on this year’s ballot allows for things that will minimize the operating expenses that were of concern in the Inspector General report,” Kruse added.
The two acquisitions approved Tuesday illustrate the program's ongoing work to preserve environmentally significant properties, even as the county addresses the audit's recommendations.
The purchases are fully funded through Manatee County's voter-approved conservation lands program.
The larger purchase, Myakka Valley Preserve, encompasses approximately 554.5 acres across 10 parcels near Anson Road and State Road 70 in rural Myakka. The combined purchase price is $14.2 million.
The property adjoins Triple Oak Preserve, which the county acquired in 2024, and would expand the preserve to approximately 661 acres. The property lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and could help connect existing conservation lands between Duette Preserve and Myakka River State Park.
County staff identified opportunities to restore Florida scrub-jay habitat and wetlands, and to expand public recreation. Plans also envision hiking, biking, birding, and horseback riding, among other potential uses.
The second acquisition, Bunker Hill Preserve, involves approximately 156.4 acres along Taylor Grade Road in Parrish, at a purchase price of $2.05 million.
The property includes forested wetlands and native hardwoods along the South Fork of the Little Manatee River. The county plans to focus on invasive-plant management and evaluate additional opportunities for hydrological restoration. The county plans public access, with potential recreational amenities including trails and nature observation.
Together, the acquisitions total approximately $16.25 million. ELMAC's acquisition process recommended both, and the commission approved them unanimously Tuesday.
After approving the items, board Chairman Tal Siddique told staff he hoped they would make an effort to get the word out to the community about the latest purchases, the program's success, and the scale of the properties.
"These acquisitions are about protecting what makes Manatee County special and making sure future generations have the same opportunities to enjoy our natural environment that we do today," said Siddique. "We're preserving hundreds of acres of important habitat, protecting our waterways, and creating opportunities for residents to explore and appreciate these lands for generations to come."
Prior to this most recent acquisition of nearly 711 acres, the Environmental Lands Program had acquired more than 300 acres of conservation land, created two county preserves, expanded four existing preserves, enlarged one county park, and partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to permanently protect 1,483 acres through rural land protection easements since 2023.
To learn more about the county’s Environmental Lands Program, visit:
mymanatee.org/departments/property-management-department/property-acquisition-division/environmental-lands-program
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