Did "Victory for Life Day" Proclamation Adhere to County Policy?

BRADENTON – On Tuesday, Manatee County Commissioners approved the adoption of a controversial proclamation. Several citizens who provided public comment for the board’s consideration questioned whether the proclamation conflicted with the board’s adopted administrative procedures.

The proclamation recognized July 26 as the "Victory for Life Day" in Manatee County. The proclamation’s themed intention is to annually recognize and memorialize the SCOTUS's overruling of Roe. V Wade.

"On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States righted past wrongs by ruling 5-4 to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision; many elected leaders played key roles in protecting the rights of the unborn by laying the groundwork for the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court," read the background information attached to the item on Tuesday’s regular meeting agenda. "These elected leaders and countless grassroots right-to life activists and organizations contributed to the defense of the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness of the unborn by supporting pro-life Justices and legislation."

The adopted proclamation lists various individuals–both local and nonlocal–for what it said was their role in helping to bring about the SCOTUS ruling. Individuals recognized by the proclamation include state representatives Jim Boyd, Vern Buchanan, Tommy Gregory, and Will Robinson, and former presidents Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, George. H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. Also recognized were U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Governor Ron Desantis is also acknowledged by the proclamation, among other persons.

However, many citizens addressed the board sharing their disproval of the adoption of such a proclamation. Several who provided public comment pointed to the BOCC’s own approved and adopted administrative procedures to question the appropriateness of such a proclamation.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Administrative Procedures Manual, procedure number 106.00, provides guidance for citizens who wish to request recognition from the board to honor and celebrate events, recognize achievements, or increase public awareness of noteworthy causes, events, milestones, or achievements through the board’s adoption of proclamations and issuance of certificates of recognition.

The procedure outlines what can and cannot qualify for recognition by proclamation.

"Proclamations cannot be issued for:

¥ Matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual convictions

¥ Anything that may suggest an official county position on a matter under consideration

¥ Events or organizations with no direct relationship to Manatee County

¥ Campaigns or events contrary to Manatee County policy or to the wellbeing of its citizens."

As part of their duties, the county administrator oversees the creation of commission meeting agendas. Citizens who referenced the board’s administrative procedures on proclamations argued that the disqualifiers provided under the code brought into question whether County Administrator Scott Hopes added the proposed proclamation to Tuesday’s meeting agenda in direct conflict with that code. Public commenters also questioned whether the board's consideration and approval of a proclamation that may have violated the county's own administrative procedures was likewise inappropriate.

"In addition to the proclamation being in poor taste," included Manatee resident Kathryn Smith in submitted public comments, "it violates the rules set by the BOCC."

Another citizen pointed to the first disqualifier under the bulleted list which appears both in the county’s administrative procedures and on the Manatee County Government website, "Proclamations cannot be issued for matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual convictions."

Resident Virginia McCallum pointed to another requirement provided by the commission’s administrative procedures: "All requests for recognition must be submitted in writing at least three weeks, but no more than six months, prior to the date needed." McCallum’s public comment questioned whether the proclamation had been submitted at least three weeks prior to being brought before the board for a vote.

On a webpage providing instructions and requirements for submission of requests for recognition, Manatee County Government includes, in part, "Individual accomplishments of local significance are more appropriately recognized with a Certificate of Recognition or congratulatory letter."

TBT reached out to Manatee County seeking comment on the appearance of a discrepancy between the BOCC’s administrative procedures and the proclamation being included for consideration. Public Relations Officer Bill Logan responded in an email writing, "This is a Manatee County Board of County Commissioners matter, not that of Administration. There is no comment."

TBT followed up by emailing the County Attorney’s Office but did not receive a response before our publishing deadline.

To read the Manatee County, Florida Board of County Commissioners Administrative Procedures Manual, procedure No.: 106.001 "Requests for Recognition Proclamations and Certificates of Recognition" in its entirety, click here.