BRADENTON — At Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting, Stephanie Garrison was confirmed as Deputy County Administrator. Garrison was elevated to the role in an interim capacity last month following the resignation of Corey Stutte, who had served 15 months in the position.
The confirmation was not without controversy. Commissioner Bob McCann pointed out that she did not have a master's degree or eight years of progressively responsible public-sector experience in program management and governmental budgeting, as described in the position.
"To me, she doesn't meet the qualifications," said McCann.
Commission chair Tal Siddique said that while he was initially skeptical when Garrison was hired in the newly created position of Director of Government Relations, she'd "proved him wrong," noting that he'd been impressed by her performance on multiple fronts.
Garrison spent 14 years as an executive at Apple before spending around two months as senior legislative aide to Senator Joe Gruters before he departed to chair the Republican National Committee. She had been in the Director of Government Relations position since January of last year.
Commissioner Jason Bearden, whose relationship with County Administrator Charlie Bishop has grown beyond strained, asked Bishop how many people he had interviewed for the position. Without making eye contact, Bishop told Bearden that Garrison had been interviewing with him while on the job and that he had not been required to interview anyone else. The administrator then lost his composure, yelling at Bearden and declaring, “This is an embarrassment.”
“You know what’s embarrassing, Charlie,” shouted Bearden, “let me tell you what the hell is embarrassing …”
“Let’s go at it,” fired back Bishop.
“Your ass not coming to work for (expletive) months,” screamed Bearden “… and everyone on this board knows it!”
“My contract expires in February,” Bishop shot back.
At that Point, Siddique called a five-minute recess and gavelled the meeting out.
When the meeting resumed, Bearden had not returned, and Garrison’s confirmation passed 5-1 with McCann dissenting.
Also during Tuesday's meeting, Claudia Campos, who was also serving in an interim capacity, was confirmed as Chief Financial Officer. Campos had served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since January 2026. She has more than 23 years of local government experience and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Accounting. Campos began her career in public service in 2003 with the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller as a Payroll Clerk.
During her 15 years with the Clerk’s Office, she eventually rose to Accountant II, supporting the BOCC. In 2018, Campos joined Manatee County Government as a Senior Budget Analyst and continued to advance within the Financial Management Department, serving as Senior Budget Manager and Division Manager for Business Operations.
McCann raised concerns that Campos was not a CPA, which is not required for the position, but McCann felt it was elementary. Bearden said that while he had no problem with Campos as an employee, he was disappointed in the process by which the promotion was handled and couldn’t support it.
Campos’ confirmation was approved 5-2, with McCann and Bearden dissenting.
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lib224
Seems like the problem is at the top. Bad choice from the start.
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
mcems1986
In over 3 decades of working for MCG this was an embarrassment for many. Although the points raised (by Mcann and Bearden) in job descriptions and qualifications should matter.
Have witnessed many employee candidates attempting to work for MCG and our division. Those employees that DID NOT have the job description qualifications, did not get an interview. Amazes me, how those same HR job descriptions can be overlooked and not followed for senior leadership. MCG needs to do better and I can only wonder what Commissioner Pat Glass thought on Tuesdays BOCC mtg.
As always good job Mitch and Dawn.
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
GoldenGopher
Why does the MCG allow its employee, Administrator Bishop, talk to commissioners like that? He clearly thinks he is the most important person in the room. He needs to be gone.
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and the Citizens of Manatee County,
Way my first public comment was to ask to terminate Charlie Bishop’s contract. I’m sure we’ll see more of this from citizens like myself.
I am writing to express my strong support and sincere gratitude for Commissioners Jason Bearden and Dr. Bob McCann following their courageous actions during the September 1, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting. By demanding transparency, rigorous vetting, and strict adherence to established job qualifications for executive leadership appointments, Commissioner Bearden and Dr. McCann demonstrated the exact accountability that Manatee County taxpayers deserve.
The recent administrative confirmations highlighted a concerning pattern: filling top-tier public positions without competitive recruitment or adherence to published job criteria. As Dr. McCann correctly identified, roles such as Deputy County Administrator carry clear professional benchmarks—including advanced degrees and years of progressively responsible public-sector leadership—designed to protect public interests. Bypassing these established qualifications compromises the standard of governance across our county.
Furthermore, Commissioner Bearden was entirely justified in questioning the County Administrator regarding the interview and recruitment process. Expecting an open, multi-candidate vetting procedure for critical leadership roles is standard operating procedure for sound local government. When administrative appointments are handpicked without reviewing external or alternative candidates, it erodes public trust and undermines a merit-based system.
True public leadership requires the willingness to ask tough questions and enforce institutional standards, even in the face of tension. Commissioners Bearden and McCann stood up for transparency, administrative integrity, and fiscal responsibility. Manatee County residents rely on our elected officials to serve as an active check on administrative power and ensure that public offices are filled through fair, thorough, and competitive means.
I commend Commissioners Bearden and Dr. McCann for refusing to rubber-stamp executive promotions and for holding county administration to a higher standard. Moving forward, the Board must ensure that all executive hiring processes remain open, transparent, and strictly aligned with published qualifications.
Respectfully submitted,
Glen Gibellina
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
mcems1986
In over 3 decades of working for MCG this was an embarrassment for many. Although the points raised (by Mcann and Bearden) in job descriptions and qualifications should matter.
Have witnessed many employee candidates attempting to work for MCG and our division. Those employees that DID NOT have the job description qualifications, did not get an interview. Amazes me, how those same HR job descriptions can be overlooked and not followed for senior leadership. MCG needs to do better and I can only wonder what Commissioner Pat Glass thought on Tuesdays BOCC mtg.
As always good job Mitch and Dawn!
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
Debann
GET RID OF BISHOP..WHAT A DISGRACE OUR COUNTY HAS BECOME...
Wednesday, September 2 Report this
teamj1009
Well, well, well if I ever spoke to any of my bosses like that I would be fired immediately. If the BOCC had any gonads they would suspend Clown Bishop and can him for insubordination and give this idiot no going away $$$$$$. It also seems like go ahead my contract expires in February taunting the BOCC in full public view. Now either the BOCC is scared of this clown or he has dirt on all of them.
So now we have the tail wagging the dog with zero oversight. I have never seen such pathetically run local Gov't as it is here. Just think what we would not know if the TBT did not expose these shenanigans. Think of Manatee County Gov't like an iceberg we only see what above the surface just imagine what is below the surface.
Wednesday, September 2 Report this