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 1/27/2025.
Invocation – Pastor Luke Stockeland, First Baptist Church of Bradenton
Pledge Of Allegiance - Judson Fillingim, Compensation Analyst, on behalf of various family members who served the Armed Forces including his great grandfather, Leon Sparkman, who served in the Air Force and received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Moment of Silence for International Holocaust Day
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - January 21, January 22, January 23, and January 26, 2026
Port Authority
Port Manatee has had no dealings with the private company proposing a cruise ship port. The Port Authority has the same concerns as the public, and more: dredging, shortage of harbor pilots and stevedores, and environmental impacts.
Citizen Comments
Glenn and Andra stated that bill filed by State Representative Conerly, to have Port Manatee become a special district, was very unpopular. Glenn contended that Conerly told them that Commissioner Siddique called saying he changed his vote, so the bill was pulled, and Glenn felt this was a violation of the sunshine law.
Commissioner Kruse stated that there was no violation of the sunshine law when the discussion is between two different government entities. He contended that representatives do not write bills, Conerly filed it for a Hillsborough County representative, and the bill regarding a change to governance in Manatee County libraries filed by Conerly was written by the county at the request of one of the commissioners.
Port Authority consent agenda passed 7-0.
Awards/Presentations/
Awards
Acceptance of 2025 Florida Beach Patrol of the Year Award by the Florida Beach Patrol Chief Association
President of the Florida Beach Patrol Chief Association Ian Montgelas presented the 2025 Florida Beach Patrol of the Year to Manatee County Beach Patrol Division. Chief Montgelas said the award is about aquatic safety.
Members of the Beach Patrol are trained and certified in a variety of rescue techniques (swift water, rope, etc.) and medical emergency treatment. In 2025, the Manatee Beach Patrol executed 300 water rescues; 240 missing persons rescues with 100% successfully returned to their family; and 1,400 medical needs situations, 350 of which were major. The award is for outstanding leadership, personnel training, setting, and meeting high standards, embracing innovation, and excellent cooperation with other rescue organizations.
Chet Brown, Manatee County Division Chief for Beach Patrol and Aquatic Safety, accepted the award.
Presentation of the January 2026 Team Member of the Month Award
Award presented to Alex Nylnikov, Mail Services Technician. His warmth, positive energy, and work ethic go above and beyond in the county mail room and print shop.
Consent Agenda
Approved 7-0.
Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
Andra asked for a national search for a County Administrator. Residents were promised years ago that the board would conduct such a national search.
Pat showed stickers she has developed for businesses to post if they sign a pledge to be disability friendly.
Glen felt that the state level bill to limit liabilities for Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC was a terrible idea. He cited Mosaic's annual revenue. He also talked about a YIGBY (Yes, in God’s Back Yard) event. The 2025 Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1730, which allows local governments to approve affordable housing on certain land owned by religious institutions, regardless of the underlying zoning. YIGBY educates on use of this tool to build affordable houses on their property.
Alan voiced his strong support for the funding of playing fields for the Lakewood Ranch Little League. The League has more children who want to play than they have fields for them to play in.
Jim and Lynette asked for a long-term charitable lease for Toys for Tots in the warehouse at Mixon Farms. They need a permanent warehouse as Toys for Tots is now a year-round program. Commissioner Ballard volunteered to work with them to find a permanent facility.
Deana spoke against the possible cruise port development. The proposed cruise port would require massive dredging with no options for dredging disposal – all in an essential and fragile environment.
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS - LEGISLATIVE
Item 25. Adoption of Resolution R-26-013, approving the Substantial Amendments to the 2023-2028 Consolidated Plan and 2019, 2023 and 2024 Annual Action Plans, and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolutions B-26-048 and B-26-049, Julia Vieira, Community Development Project Manager - Countywide
Approved 7-0.
REGULAR
Property Management
Item 26. Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to proceed in partnership for Conservation Easement Acquisition on Mossy Island Ranch, Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager - District 1
Koenig stated that the 428-acre Mossy Island Ranch property is highly ranked for conservation as rural/farmland and will be protected by a conservation easement at approximately 10% the cost of a full purchase. The county will be co-owner of the easement with the state, ownership proportional to contribution. The land will be protected in perpetuity for agricultural purposes. Mossy Island Ranch is highly ranked by the state for this Protection Program.
Approved 7-0.
Item 27. Execution of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to proceed in partnership for Conservation Easement Acquisition on Thundercloud Ranch, Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager - District 1
As with Item 26, the 1,045-acre Thundercloud Ranch was highly ranked for conservation protection. The county will be co-owner of the easement with the state, ownership proportional to contribution. Approved 7-0.
Public Safety
Item 28. Adoption of Adult Health and Human Services Non-Profit Priority Areas, Thu Le, Health Information Services Manager - Countywide
Le’s presentation and statistical graphs showed the benefits of the work funded by the county through nonprofit entities and the county’s push for improved results. The vote was for approval of the nonprofit priority areas, not funding.
Commissioners Bearden and Ballard said they didn’t want free dental hygiene services provided to "illegal aliens" at county expense.
James Crutchfield, Deputy Director, assured commissioners that no county-funded dental services were being provided to anyone right now.
Ballard said the county is choosing not to put requirements regarding the status of people receiving services in contract terms with nonprofits. She pointed out that County Attorney D’Agostino had provided language for attestation from nonprofits that every client was legally in this country.
Approved 7-0 with the addition that language related to legal status be included in contract terms.
Public Works
Item 29. Approval of the County's 2026 Metropolitan Planning Organization Project Priorities, Clarke Davis, Deputy Director Public Works
Davis presented a list of transportation infrastructure projects for potential federal and state funding. The list will then be sent to the Metropolitan Planning Organization for review and presentation to the state legislature with a request for funding. After discussion of the process and the projects, a motion was made to approve the list, including changing the funding source for the Cortez Road at 75th Street West intersection improvement to a Transportation Regional Improvement Project (TRIP) funded project and to make the multi-modal trail projects a higher priority.
Motion as amended approved 6-1. McCann opposed.
Sports & Leisure Services
Item 30. Appointment of Two Applicants to The Library Advisory Board, Tammy Parrott, Library Services Manager
There were six applicants for the two positions. James Russell was approved by acclimation for the Manatee County at-large position, effective February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2030. Lauren Quinn was approved by acclamation to represent Unincorporated Manatee County for a term running February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2030.
COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS
Item 31. Bishop Kennels Discussion
Commissioner McCann has been hearing from constituents who are concerned about the development of the kennels. He made a motion to accept public comment on the construction the Bishop Kennels. The Board decided by consensus to open the issue to public comments.
Citizen Comments
More than 15 people spoke against the county's use of prefabrication housing for the kennels and asked for a re-evaluation of the construction plans with an emphasis on installing a concrete structure. Comments also included a call to activate the citizen's advisory board, hiring a director of animal welfare, and having an outside audit/evaluation conducted of the shelter which would be available to the public.
After public comment
County Administrator Charlie Bishop said he expects the facility to open in the summer. Staff explained it is working on resolutions to establish two boards: one would be a technical advisory committee and the other a regular board. Once the resolutions are completed, they will be brought to the Board of County Commissioners for approval and then a formal call for applicants will be issued.
McCann made a motion to invite experts from the University of Florida to conduct an evaluation of the Bishop Kennels, similar to work it has done for other facilities. Approved 7-0.
McCann made a second motion to direct staff to make the creation of the technical advisory board and the Animal Services Advisory Board a higher priority. Approved 7-0.
McCann made a third motion to appoint a commissioner liaison to the two boards under creation.
McCann made a fourth motion for the county to dismiss all charges against individuals who were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and burglary on the Bishop Kennels construction site. Motion failed 3-4. McCann, Kruse, and Felts in favor.
McCann made a fifth motion asking staff to give regular updates on the Bishop Kennels. Approved 7-0.
Item 32. Clarification of Resolution R-22-158, Section 1.(a) iii. Adoption of Resolution Repealing Resolution R-22-158
McCann asked for clarification on why affordable housing projects that result in home ownership have a different LURA (Land Use Restriction Agreement which ensures the property remains affordable for a set period) than do projects that provide rental housing.
County Attorney Pamela D'Agostino explained that home ownership projects have a 30-year LURA. There is no standard for livable home rental property.
The issue will be brought back to the Board at its February 11, 2026, work session.
Item 33. Preservation of Canopy Roads
McCann asked how the county could designate, preserve, and protect tree canopy roads in Manatee County. D'Agostino said it would be legally troublesome to pass an ordinance doing so because of the state law passed in 2025 (Senate Bill 180) that restricts the county's authority to adopt zoning changes. [Note: The Florida legislature is currently debating changes to the law.]
Item 34. Public Lack of Satisfaction with Current Trash Pickup, Associated Costs, and Not Meeting the Needs of Safety and Sanitation in Certain Districts
McCann said he is being bombarded with complaints about the new trash pick-up service, specifically the charges for bulk pick-up, the cut back to once-a-week service, and the size of the required trash cans.
McCann made a motion for the staff to work with the waste hauling companies to develop cost figures for possible changes, including the cost to bring back twice-a-week service, additional large item pick-up service, and putting out a public survey about the trash pickup system.
Approved 7-0.
Item 35. To draft a resolution for naming the Community Center at Washington Park in honor of Lawrence Livingston
Ballard made a motion to direct staff to draft a resolution for naming the Community Center at Washington Park in Palmetto in honor of Lawrence and Clifford Livingston. The Livingstons are community leaders that fought for the creation of Washington Park for over 20 years.
Approved 7-0.
Item 36. To draft a resolution for naming Dog Park at Blackstone in honor of Christina Turley
Ballard made a motion to direct staff to draft a resolution for naming Dog Park in Blackstone Park, Palmetto, in honor of Christina Turley. Turley, recently deceased, advocated for the creation of a dog park at Blackstone, gathering almost 200 signatures on a petition pushing for the dog park.
Approved 7-0.
Item 37. Bradenton Area EDC Partnership Discussion
Siddique explained the recent decision by the Board to not renew a contract for services with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and changes that have occurred at EDC since that decision.
Kruse made a motion to direct county staff to discuss possible future partnerships with EDC.
Approved 7-0.
Item 38. Discussion on Reason for Hiring Freeze and the $500,000 Bond Penalty
McCann pointed out that in 2025 he proposed a hiring freeze for the county and the Board rejected the idea. Yet, as of January 15, the county is placing a hiring freeze on personnel and McCann asked for an explanation.
Administrator Bishop said due to millage reductions, the DOGE report from the state, and potential property tax reductions, the staff is re-evaluating the current open positions. He has met with each county department and will be bringing additional information back to the Board in the first week of February.
Claudia Campos, Interim Chief Financial Officer, explained that the county's 2019 bonds were not spent fast enough, due in part due to COVID. The IRS rules, in order to prevent a government from issuing bonds and then investing the money instead of using it for projects, limits the amount of income that can be made from the bond money. Due to the money not being spent in the 5 year time frame, it resulted in penalties.
Kruse felt that the county isn't technically paying a penalty, because the County Clerk made investments that yielded more income permissible on the bond funds, it is remitted the excess permissible income to the IRS.
Commissioner Comments
McCann reported that during the Board meeting he received an email stating the University of Florida Shelter Medicine and Assessment Program has already been contacted and that a meeting will take place in the next couple of weeks with the county to discuss the Bishop Kennels. McCann also announced his February 2 town hall meeting at the Lakewood Ranch Library at 6:00 pm.
Chairman Siddique announced that the Florida Department of Transportation will hold two public workshops next week on the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector. There will be an in-person meeting on February 3 at 5 pm at Veterans Hall and an online meeting on February 5 starting at 6 pm.
GOVERNANCE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
Chair Siddique’s approach to citizen comments was kind, directive, and respectful. Examples:
At the September 16, 2025, meeting, the BOCC directed staff to remove certain proposed language from the standard form of Agreement for Non-Profit Agency Services (Agreement), which pertained to restrictions on funding, specifically, which read as follows:
"No funds provided by the County pursuant to this Agreement shall be used to provide any state or local public benefit, as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1621, to any individual in violation of state or federal law. The County Funds Restriction Affidavit must be in the form provided by the County and be provided to the County prior to the County executing this Agreement."
Correction: This report previously stated that action had been taken on the item. During consideration of Agenda Item 28, which pertained to the adoption of adult health and human services non-profit priorities, one or more Board members expressed concerns about County funds supporting services to illegal aliens. There was no motion made or formal vote taken by the Board to direct staff to change the form of Agreement which had previously approved by the Board during the September meeting.
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