Manatee County Commission Notes: 10/8/26

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League, and notes adherence to, or nonadherence to, good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 10/8/2026.

Link to the Agenda

County Administrator Charlie Bishop was absent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Updates to Agenda - October 2, October 6, October 7, 2026

REQUESTS BY COMMISSIONERS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

Commissioner McCann pulled Item 11.

CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

• Marcie McPherson, resident and Founder of Manatee County Dementia Navigation Hub, discussed the importance of their work helping families addressing dementia. She stated that the county approved funding for the Dementia Navigation Hub and anticipated being given office space by the county. They were offered a 500 ft sq office which cannot accommodate confidential meetings. They have identified a suitable 1530 ft commercial location in downtown Bradenton which will cost $40,000 which was not included in this year’s grant application to the county. She asked for a motion to approve $40,000 in one time funding for office space.
   
• Martin Hyde, candidate for Florida State Senate District 22, criticized the postponement of Item #24 a proposal to reduce public notice and neighborhood meeting signs from 36-by-36 inches to 24-by-24 inches. He argued smaller signs would only create very small cost savings of $20 that benefit developers while making development notices less visible to residents, urging commissioners to prioritize community awareness and residents’ interests over developer savings.
   
• Marlene proposed an item for October 20, raising concerns about operations at the homeless shelter “Under One Roof”, alleging that individuals are being permanently banned while others are allowed to enter intoxicated or engage in drug-related activity.
   
• Glen expressed strong opposition to a proposed $350,000 kitchen renovation project at “Under One Roof” intended to serve an additional 30 people when comparable commercial kitchens cost significantly less.

Commissioner comments

Commissioner Ballard commented that she has talked to Marlene on several occasions about issues at “Under One Roof” and that she is happy to talk again.

CONSENT AGENDA

The League encourages residents to read the full meeting agenda to learn about the approved consent items.

Approved 6-0.

ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Property Management Item 11: Execution of IRS Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions, concerning a portion of the Purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms property located at 26th Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34208, Property Identification Number 1403100259, Peter Morrow, Property Acquisition Division Manager - District 2

The Commission discussed signing IRS Form 8283 confirming Manatee County’s purchase price for part of Mixon Fruit Farms, enabling the sellers to claim a charitable contribution for the difference between the market price of the property sold and the actual sales price. Commissioners clarified that receipt at time of purchase was not sufficient for the IRS and it takes staff time to prepare the appropriate documents. Commissioners acknowledged potential benefits for future below-market land acquisitions.

Approved 6-0.

ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS - LEGISLATIVE

Item 25: Adoption of Ordinance 26-42, Data Center Moratorium - PLN2609-0022 - Legislative - Countywide - Jay Stearman, Planner I

Stearman detailed the implications of Florida Senate Bill 484, which defines "large load customers" as single locations with an anticipated monthly peak load of 50 megawatts or more. This law requires energy providers to ensure large load customers bear their own full cost of service to protect general ratepayers; water management districts to deny water allocations if the use is harmful to local resources or violates zoning; and local governments to maintain authority over land development and comprehensive planning regarding these customers. The proposed Ordinance 26-42 is a proactive 12-month moratorium on all data center-related development orders, including building permits, site plans, and rezonings. The goal is to provide staff time to research impacts on water consumption, electricity, noise abatement, and environmental design standards.

Bearden raised concerns regarding the county's current water capacity and the rapid evolution of AI technology. McCann suggested that some Florida counties, such as Jackson and Walton, have implemented permanent bans instead of temporary moratoriums. Staff clarified that a moratorium is legally safer than a ban because it avoids potential litigation regarding property rights while still allowing future boards to make different decisions.

Citizen Comments 

Three citizens spoke, raising concerns about defining data centers clearly, the need for public workshops, and recommending an 18‑month moratorium due to rapid technological changes and potential impacts such as heavy utility use, generator emissions, and noise.

Commissioner Comments

Kruse stated a 12-month moratorium makes sense and we can extend it later if we want to. Siddique commented that it makes sense to have a public workshop but it would need to be carefully structured.  

Ordinance 26-42, Data Center Moratorium for 12 months approved 6-0.

REGULAR

Development Services

Item 22. Planning Commission Appointment - Choose two - Nicole Knapp, Director   

• First Seat: David Otterness, Approved.
• Second Seat initially was a 3-way tie between Glen Gibellina, Mark Stanoch, and Scott Ziegler. After researching the rules governing a tie vote, current member Scott Ziegler was held over in his current seat until the November Land Use meeting when there would be another vote with 7 Commissioners on the Board.

COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS

Item 26. Administrator Contract   

Bearden questioned County Attorney D’Agostino about the authority governing the County Administrator, her responsibilities when commissioners feel threatened, and the two‑hour limit on staff time for commissioner requests.

D’Agostino repeatedly stated she represents the Board not administration, explained that long‑standing county policy, not a state statute, defines the Administrator’s role. She clarified that she has no responsibility when commissioners feel threatened beyond advising them to contact law enforcement and she felt a two-hour limit was reasonable.

Bearden asked the County Commission to investigate potential discrepancies in Manatee County’s procurement records related to a noncompetitive, single-source contract for street and park lighting with Streetleaf.

CITIZEN COMMENTS (Continuation of Consideration for Future Agenda Items, if needed)

• David accused County Administrator Bishop of being a rule-breaker who prioritizes results for powerful people over legal compliance using examples such as an alleged false presentation of wetland science, improper use of a personal phone for official business and violations of Florida’s record laws. He alleged that this behavior has fostered a culture of non-compliance within the administration, citing specific instances of employees’ violations of rules who were not punished but promoted.
• Glen spoke against Bishop saying he cost the county $75,000 in fines because of his use of his private phone for county business and accused Bishop of making violent threats against elected officials.

Commissioner Comments

McCann criticized the way the review of the Administrator was being handled with callers being cut off by the Chair and citizen comments under Future Agenda Items and not as part of the item itself. He is putting the item on the October 20 agenda. He will give his comments when the Administrator was present and proceeded to list a number of items he disapproved of in Bishop and staff’s performance. He also defined assault and said that Bishop’s threats to Bearden at a prior meeting constituted assault.

Bearden reiterated his concern about the 2023 single-source contract from the previous discussion. Rahn had attended a conference and suggested staff look into a streetlight which was subsequently purchased. Bearden was concerned about following procedures to get competitive bids and possible political influence because the vendor gave Rahn a political contribution. 

Rahn stated that if anyone feels there has been waste, fraud or abuse they should take it to the inspector general. They all get campaign contributions. He felt it was a cool product and still feels so and they all bring things they like to attention for purchase and purchasing does their evaluation of those products. 

 GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

• The process for review of the County Administrator’s contract has been problematic. Both Commissioners and members of the public commented that the discussion of performance issues under this contract has been postponed and drawn out over multiple meetings, with lack of clarity on if or when it would take place, whether the employee would be present, and obstacles for citizen comments due to all of this confusion.
   
• Conflicts have resulted from questions about staff hiring procedures. The lack of decorum and threats of violence discussed during this meeting originated when Commissioners questioned internal promotions for senior positions in County administration at the September 1 meeting. In the future, Commissioners should receive full information, give input and resolve any issues before public meetings on potential staff hiring or promotion that receives approval by the County Commissioners.
   
• Board of County Commissioners meeting procedures should be refined to include time limits on length of remarks. While Bearden remained calm and fact-based in his intervention, the hours-long remarks and repetition caused other Commissioners to talk over him and invoke Robert’s Rules of Order to adjourn that segment of the meeting. Commissioners deserve kudos for trying to parse what Bearden was trying to say at the end of an over eight-hour meeting, however Bearden’s message would have been better understood with a short and better-structured presentation. Citizens received short shrift due to the lack of time.
   
• The deadlocked vote for the second Planning Commission appointment was well-handled by reverting to the rules on allowing the incumbent to remain until the new Board is seated