Manatee County Commission Notes: 12/2/25

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, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 12/2/2025.

Link to the Agenda and Video

Invocation – Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel

Pledge Of Allegiance – Darren Daly, Manatee County Animal Services Officer and former Army E-5 Sargent

Announcements

Updates to Agenda - November 25, December 1

Awards/Presentations/Proclamations

Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for December 2025 to Angie Sciarrone, Outreach Case Manager, Public Safety

Ms. Sciarrone has been with the county just over two years and has “consistently gone above and beyond” in her work focusing on the homeless population, advocating for their needs, and building strong community partnerships. She was honored in particular for her support of one client during the individual's end of life. 

Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

Commissioner McCann asked to pull items 6, 8, 15, 24, and 26.

Citizen Comments (Consent Agenda Items Only)

Glen complimented Manatee County for awarding affordable housing incentives to Carr Landing Bradenton, and ECG Florida for the affordable housing project at 5410 10th Lane East in Bradenton (item 4) and said this project's standards are what other developers should strive for.

Consent Agenda

Approved 7-0.

Select Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

• Glen complained about the late fee process used by the Manatee County utility office which could penalize a person, even when the bill is paid on-time. 
• James urged the board to not change the ownership arrangement for the Port of Manatee from county control to a separate Florida state board. 
• Audra asked the board to reduce the number of county employees by 10 percent since the county is outsourcing some of its work. 

ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

Item 30. Acceptance of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 2025 Incentive Review and Recommendation Report – Deborah Ash, Community and Veterans Services

Ash pointed out that each county that participates with the Florida House Initiative Program must submit an annual report.

The chair of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC), Steve Reinhart, highlighted two recommended changes the county's program: Change the requirement that affordable housing projects be located within the urban core and no more than a quarter mile from a public transit stop to a distance of 1 mile and remove the requirement for minimum lot size to give the committee greater flexibility in reviewing proposals. Reinhart also said that in the coming year AHAC will be discussing ways to streamline the approval process for affordable housing projects, including possibly holding nonbinding hearings with the county early in the process to get public sentiment on the proposed project.

Motion to accept the report approved 7-0.

Item 31. Approval of the Children's Services FY26 Annual Report – Kristi Hagen, Children's Services Program Coordinator

Carolann Garafola, a member of the Children’s Services Advisory Board, presented the annual report with additional comments from Debbie Tapp, former board chair. Kruse pointed out that the money funding the children's services projects comes from a dedicated millage approved by the voters. Garafola announced the application process for its grant program starts this week.

Motion to accept the report approved 7-0.

Items Removed From The Consent Agenda

Item 6. Execution of Reimbursement Agreement for Promotion of Tourism with Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, Inc. – Elliott Falcione, Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director

Falcione said that Sarasota and Manatee counties cooperate each year on numerous tourism ventures that cross county lines. This agreement is to spend $275,000 in both fiscal year 2026 and 2027. The funds are generated from tourism taxes and will be used for brand awareness and to bid for events to be hosted at Nathan Benderson Park, which is located just south of the Manatee County line.

Approved 7-0.

Item 8. Adoption of Resolution R-25-214, approving the Issuance by the Capital Projects Finance Authority of its educational facilities revenue bonds (Risen Savior Academy) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $7,000,000 – Sheila McLean, Chief Financial Officer

McLean explained that every nonprofit in the county that wants to issue a bond must obtain county approval. The county does not issue the bond, the county is not responsible for the financing, and there is no cost to the county.  Risen Savior Academy is a private school.

Kruse stated that if people disagree with this process for nonprofit organizations to float bonds, then voters need to talk to their state representatives. The requirement for county approval to issue bonds is a state statute.

Approved 7-0.

Item 15. Execution of Change Order No. 5 to Work Assignment No. 31 of Agreement No. 15- 0909JE for 44th Avenue Extension (from 44th Avenue Plaza East to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard) – Al Neumann, Sr. Project Engineer

McCann expressed concern that this is the fifth change order for the 44th Avenue extension project and that with the delays more money is being spent. Chad Butzow, director of public works, responded this is the final change order to a project that was approved many years ago.

Approved 7-0.

Item 24. Execution of Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District for Silver Falls Run Right-of-Way Improvements – Scott May, County Engineer

Stewardship districts get approval for construction of communities based on covering all infrastructure expenses themselves. McCann questioned why the county would want to take over maintaining the road. Butzow clarified the agreement is for maintenance only for a county road; the stewardship district has agreed to maintain the landscaping.

Approved 6-1, McCann voting no.

Item 26. Execution of Term Extension Amendment to Cooperative Agreement with Musgrave Real Estate Holdings, LP regarding Central County Complex – Scott May, P.E., County Engineer

McCann questioned why there is a need for a six-month extension on the road construction. Kruse clarified that the request came from the county staff, who is responsible for the project, and not an outside contractor.

Approved 7-0.

COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS

Item 33. AI Pilot with State DOGE Team - Stephanie Garrison, Government Relations Director

Garrison explained Florida’s DOGE initiative is seeking one county to participate in a pilot project to assess how AI tools may support government operations. The pilot would include using software to review existing county data for potential duplication or efficiency opportunities. The estimated cost for the county would be between $2,000 and $4,000. She was seeking direction from the board on whether to proceed with applying for the project.

McCann reported he did research on the proposed data company to do the review, Politech, and described it as a voter engagement company. He questioned why to proceed with the AI project since the county has not received a final state DOGE review report on the county's budget. Bearden advised staff to proceed with caution, as it is a relatively new company and that he is concerned about security protocols. 

Based on the board's discussion, Garrison was directed to move forward on the project, keeping in mind the commissioners' questions and concerns.

Item 32. Election of Officers for the 2026 Calendar Year   

Kruse turned the meeting over to County Attorney D’Agostino.

Board of County Commissioners Chairman

Rahn nominated Kruse, who declined. Felts nominated McCann. Bearden nominated Siddique. Bearden then nominated Ballard and Felts; both declined.

Rahn and Kruse supported Siddique, saying that he has demonstrated the ability to participate in the Board as well as in the community, state, and national meetings. Felts supported McCann because of his maturity and experience; Bearden changed his support from Siddique to McCann.

Siddique was elected chair by a vote of 4 to 3. For Siddique: Ballard, Kruse, Rahn, Siddique. For McCann: Bearden, Felts, McCann.

First Vice Chairman: Ballard by a vote of 6 to 1, with Bearden voting no.

Second Vice Chairman: Kruse by a vote of 4 to 3, with Felts, McCann, and Bearden voting no.

Third Vice Chairman: Felts by acclamation. 

Port Authority Chairman

Kruse nominated Rahn. McCann nominated Bearden.

Kruse and Siddique spoke in favor of Rahn, stating that he had been chair of the Port Authority and that he had the best interests of the Port and had represented it well both locally and with the State.

Bearden said Rahn brought a bad bill forward to buy contaminated land near the port which was voted down by the board. [See article about the controversy on the land and a current state bill moving oversight of Port Manatee from Manatee County to the state.]

Rahn was elected by a vote of 5 to 2. Bearden and McCann voted against his nomination. 

First Vice Chair of Port Authority: Felts by acclamation.

Second Vice Chair of the Port Authority: Bearden by acclamation.

Third Vice Chair of the Port Authority: Kruse by acclamation.

Tourist Development Council (TDC) Chairman: Ballard by a vote of 5 to 1. McCann voting no and Bearden absent. 

Alternate TDC Chairman: Felts by acclamation.

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

The county attorney was helpful to commissioners and the public by explaining the election process for Board officers. 

Although the expenditure amount is small and does not yet require an approval vote, bringing before the Board the proposal to use AI and Politech early in the process for transparency and public awareness is commendable.

The concern that Politech primarily works to support political campaigns should raise questions about the analysis for our county being used for something other than county benefit, such as sharing analysis information with political campaigns. 

Regarding the process of selecting officers:

• Kruse opened the discussion by pointing out that typically, the election of officers is the last item of the last meeting of the year. The schedule for electing officers should have an established protocol for future years.
• The process was chaotic. Bearden caused confusion during the voting by not understanding the voting process. There was a lack of camaraderie demonstrated among the commissioners.
• Bearden's frequent personal attacks on his fellow commissioners diminish the civil discourse required for a successful board.

Click here for information on how to phone or email the commissioners. 

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