Manatee County Commission Notes: 1/6/25

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

Invocation – Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel

Pledge Of Allegiance - Kate Rucker, Human Resources Director, lead the pledge on behalf of her recently deceased uncle, Lieutenant Commander Dr. John A. Schriver, U.S. Navy Veteran.

State of the Chair

Chair Tal Siddique welcomed everyone and covered the past year’s accomplishments including increased impact fees to 100% (effective Sept. 9, 2025), a .05 real estate tax mill cut, cleaned 58 miles of canals, 1,664 lights installed under “Light Up Manatee” with 230 under construction and 1,556 pending, the opening of the new animal facility, and the purchases of land for public use.

Under 2026 “The Work Ahead”, he listed: passing the county's Comprehensive Plan, promoting Economic Development, strengthening local decision-making, providing property tax relief, and implementing budget process improvements.

Siddique wants to approve and transmit the Comprehensive Plan to the state before the summer recess. He discussed the need to call on the state delegation representing Manatee County to repeal SB180, but that the county also needs to have Plan B in case that does not happen. Under Economic Development, he proposed such things as infrastructure investments, apprenticeship programs that will attract new employers, and encouraging infill and redevelopment. Under local decision-making he expressed his frustration with the state’s trend of taking away the authority of local governments. He suggested the county consider a charter form of government. He also proposed more citizen clarity and involvement on issues, especially in the budget process.  

Commissioner Comments:

• Commissioners Felts, Ballard, and Kruse liked increasing public input, especially in the budget process.
• Ballard and Kruse applauded workforce development ideas to attract employers with better paying jobs.
• Ballard and Commissioner Bearden were intrigued by idea of Manatee County becoming a charter government.
• Kruse is most intrigued by proposed changes to the comprehensive plan, such as minimal lot size and parking ratios, and improving incentives for affordable housing,
• Kruse stated he advocated for charter government and suggested Siddique reach out to mayors first. He noted that the state has removed much of the decision-making authority of charter governments, it is a lengthy process to establish a charter, and mayors fear developer-sway at a county level could cause loss of control in their municipality.

Announcements

Updates to Agenda - December 30, December 31, 2025, and January 5, 2026

Awards/Presentations/Proclamations

Awards

Presentation of the 2025 Team Member of the Year Award and Adoption of Proclamation designating "Angie Sciarrone Day"

Angie Sciarrone, Outreach Case Manager for the homeless population, was selected for this annual award due to her compassion, and her ability to listen to her clients and help them in some remarkable ways.

Presentations

Invitation from the Fair Manager and Members of the Board of Directors to attend the 2026 Manatee County Fair - January 15-25, 2026

Fair Manager Danny Alfonso invited everyone to come to their Annual Homecoming. This year’s theme is Celebrating America’s 250^th Anniversary. Alfonso thanked the fairs sponsors and introduced the members of the Fair Queen’s court. He is proud that Manatee County has over 530 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors this year. New this year, opening day will have a free night with a canned food drive. At 6:30 there will be a Veterans’ tribute and a concert. 

Rx Fire Team Members Recognition

Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Natural Resources, explained why prescribed burns are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems in Manatee County. These carefully planned fires reduce excess vegetation and support native plant and wildlife habitats. He spoke of the need for trained professionals that know how to manage the controlled burns. Manatee County conducts 10,000 to 12,000 acres of prescribed burns each year. Members of the fire team spoke passionately about their work.

2026, Year of People with Disabilities Proclamation

Pat Simmons received the proclamation that names 2026 as the Year of People with Disabilities. She has created a Facebook page highlighting proposed educational activities and themed dates.

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

Felts 9, 11, 31, 38, 40

McCann 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 20, 26,28, 36

* Agenda items pulled from the consent agenda for review are summarized after the GOVERNANCE section due to a significant number of items to cover.

Consent Agenda (minus items pulled)

Approved 7-0.

Select Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

• Misty, Joyce, Julie, David, and Dina commented on problems with the prefab animal shelter, and felt a more substantial building is needed. Julie, a certified dog trainer, brought a petition with 15,000 signatures requesting a concrete block structure. Dina requested a spay and neuter ordinance. 
• Mark and Julie requested that the Board produce written rules on speaking and making presentations by citizens at BoCC meetings.
• Glen took a course from the Institute of County Government and recommended it to others.
• Elizabeth raised concerns about the Thursday Land Use meeting being rescheduled. Land use decisions are important and need regular times to have transparency and public be able to participate.

Commissioner Comments

Felts, Kruse, Ballard, Commissioner McCann, and Siddique acknowledged residents’ concerns and spoke about actions the county is pursuing to address them, as well as those issues that are unlikely to change.

Advisory Board Reports

Natural Resources

Item 44. Execution of Letter of Engagement with the Trust for Public Lands to provide public polling and technical assistance for sources of funding for land and water conservation, Mason Gravley, ELMAC Chair - Countywide

Mason noted the agreement would engage the Trust for Public Lands, a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization, to provide technical advice and assistance to develop a sustainable and reliable ongoing source of funding for land and water conservation, including public opinion survey and strategies for Board consideration to increase funding opportunities.

Mason spoke about an additional issue from the prior night’s ELMAC (Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition) meeting, the Bond Council advised them that ELMAC funds could not be used for easements, which is a critical piece of environmental land protection. There are currently two easement purchases in the works for large properties where Manatee County would supply $2 million and the State will provide the remainder of the funding. The conservation easements would be owned by the State, not by the county.

Commissioner and Attorney comments

• Kruse took issue with the Bond Council questioning ELMAC funds being used for conservation easements. The County Attorney D’Agostino clarified that easements are permissible, but the ownership of the easement must be the county, not a third party.
• D’Agostino and Hunsicker suggested alternative forms of funding such as payment from the general fund or surplus and will return with a proposal at a subsequent meeting.
• Kruse and Felts supported another referendum in 2026 to allow for larger purchases of land and easements while it is still available and the land has not yet been developed.

Motion to contract for technical assistance approved 7-0.

REGULAR

Community and Veterans Services

Item 41. Appointment of Five Members to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee; and Adoption of Resolution R-26-007, appointing selected members to Seats 2, 4, 6, 10, and 11, Deborah Ash, Housing and Community Development Coordinator - Countywide   

Motion to approve citizens:

• Advocates for low-income citizens, Seat 4, Sheila Fialkowski
• Engaged in banking or mortgage industry, Seat 2, Lois Meyers
• Engaged as a non-profit provider, Seat 6, Missy Parmenter
• Who represents employers, Seat 10, Allison Imre
• Represents essential services, Seat 11, Rebecca Prado

Appointments Approved 6-0. Bearden was not available to vote.

Item 42. Appointment of two eligible applicants to the Children’s Services Advisory Board as Child Advocates—one to complete the remainder of a term expiring September 30, 2028, and one to complete the remainder of a term expiring September 30, 2027, Kristi Hagen, Children's Services Coordinator - Countywide

• Seat 1, 10/1/25-9/30/27 to refill a resignation, M Laughrey
• Seat 2, 10/1/25 -9/30/28, Sarah Arter

Property Management

Item 43. Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-039; Execution of a Contract for Sale and Purchase from the East Manatee Fire Rescue District; and Execution of a Cross Drainage and Access Easement Agreement for property located in Myakka City, Florida 34251 – Peter Morrow, Property Acquisition Division Manager - District 1

Morrow said that the proposed budget amendment will allow East Manatee Fire Rescue District to purchase the former fire station located at 10207 Wauchula Road, Myakka City, FL 34251, to be used by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Fire District has agreed to sell 1.61 acres to the County for $850,000.00.

Sheriff Wells said that Myakka City requires a community-based policing approach and the range deputies have equipment such as ATV’s and an airboat that need centralized storage. His budget has funds from impact fees.

Felts raised the issue that the sheriff’s department has been using the space at no cost and stated that in her district the EMS’s need upgrades, including covered space for ambulances. In her opinion, residents in Myakka paid once for the original fire station and will now pay again.

The EMRFD Chief came forward to clarify the financial arrangements with the merger of E. Manatee and Myakka and that the cost per household is now the same as it was in 1990.

Commissioner comments

Kruse called it a “private transaction” because the Sheriff’s department is overseen by the State, not the county.

Motion Approved 5-1. Felts opposed. Bearden not available to vote.

Citizen Comments (Continuation of Consideration for Future Agenda Items, if needed)

Elizabeth said that the timing of land use meetings, which can run late into the day, have a negative impact on rural citizens and farmers who need to return home to chores before dark. She asked the Board to consider setting a certain time.

County Attorney Comments

D’Agostino reminded the Board that they have a contractual obligation to execute a new contract for the County Administrator before it expires Aug. 8, 2026. She recommended that they each discuss it with the Administrator and come to a decision by June 15. 

Commissioner Comments

McCann asked for an explanation for the name change from Post Rd. to Premier Rd. Staff said that because of the new Premier Sports center, the name change will bring attention to the location. 

Siddique presented Kruse with a plaque with a chairperson’s gavel attached in recognition of his past service as Chair.

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

The League has noted before about the high number of consent agenda items being pulled and looked at in detail. Many deserve review. A number of the requests by Commissioners McCann and Felts were pulled because they are “items of concern to their constituents.” There are better ways to clarify items for constituents if the intention is to support the item and there are not issues to clarify, such as newsletters, Facebook pages, emails to constituents, or videos post-meeting.

The League commends Chairperson Siddique for his efforts to move items forward in a timely fashion.

Civility guidelines apply to commissioners and citizens. The League recommends that the chair reiterate the nature of the rules for addressing the Board prior to the first citizen comments. Resolution NO. R-25-013, 5.4.2

The "State of Chair" PowerPoint, which had significant information of interest to citizens of Manatee County, was missing from agenda packet.