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 lack of adherence to, good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 3/24/2026.
Chair Siddique not present; Vice Chair Ballard served as chair.
Invocation – Reverend Kim Munns Johnson, Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
Pledge of Allegiance - Michael-Chase Strollo, Manatee County Communications Coordinator, Army and Georgia National Guard veteran
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - March 17, March 19, and March 23, 2026
Port Authority Consent Agenda
Approved 5 - 0.
Awards/Presentations/
Proclamations
Developmental Disability Awareness Month
March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and it is now also in Manatee County. The proclamation was received by Chris Collins, founder of “Ability to Include,” dedicated to reducing disparities in education, recreation, and advocacy for children with disabilities and their families. He acknowledged the county’s infrastructure improvements to accommodate children with developmental disabilities.
Sexual Assault Awareness Day
April 28, 2026, was proclaimed as Sexual Assault Awareness Day in Manatee County, in recognition of the services of Centerstone, a certified rape crisis center, which for 45 years has been a service to and advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. The proclamation was received by Terry Allen, Trauma Services Manager, accompanied by victim advocates who respond 24/7 to the helpline 941-708-6059.
Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)
Commissioner McCann pulled items 7,9,12, and 27.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved 6-0
ADVISORY BOARD REPORTS
Community and Veterans Services
Item 31. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Update- Deborah Ash, Countywide
Steve Reinhart, chair of the AHAC, gave a brief presentation on items requested by the board during the December meeting. He also opposed the discontinuation of the Livable Manatee reimbursement for ownership in the 80-120% AMI (adjusted monthly income), stating it would be extremely difficult to provide affordable housing in that category.
Government Relations
Item 32. Government Efficiency Liaison Committee Update - Brent Anderson, Government Relations Manager
Jeff Cobert, Vice-chair of the Government Efficiency Liaison Committee, reported on the progress of the committee which has held 8 meetings since its formation in July 2025. He described the county as “well managed” and “fairly efficient” based on the evaluations of the committee which focused on 4 areas: interlocal agreements, county spending analysis, purchasing consolidation, and expansion of process improvement. A written report will be produced after the May meeting.
CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items – 30 Minute Time Limit)
Thirteen citizens made comments in person or via phone.
Misty, Kathy, Julie, Dina, and Veronica spoke in opposition to the transfer of dogs from the current Palmetto shelter to the new Bishop shelter, which began on March 24. They felt that the county wasn’t transparent about the request to the University of Florida (UF) for a site visit, nor about the timing of the transfer before any visit or subsequent report on the facilities was available to the public. They feel that their suggestions have not been respected or implemented.
Heidi, Sloan, Lindsey, and Elizabeth are Myakka City residents who are alarmed about the “creeping development” underway with two golf courses already in place and a housing development proposed. They described a threat to the river and to rural life that includes farming. They are concerned that golf courses threaten water quality with chemical runoff. Lindsey resented Commissioner Rahn’s letter to the Florida Attorney General for an opinion on plans from Terra Nova Equestrian Center. She said her family’s advocacy to reject a significant increase in housing density zoning resulted in her family being targeted by a lawsuit.
Pat advocated for the inclusion of sled hockey in the activities provided by the new ice rink. Sled hockey was an event in the 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Taylor requested that the county follow through on the construction of a speed table on Linden Lane.
Nick, as a resident of 37th St E, is concerned about the increased heavy truck traffic (semi’s) using their street to travel from SR 70 to 44th. Despite the speed limit being reduced to 35 MPH, the volume and the noise are unacceptable.
Commissioner’s comments
Commissioner Kruse:
Commissioner Rahn defended his letter to the Attorney General about the Myakka property, which was discussed with the late Commissioner Felts.
Commissioner Ballard said that the 37th Ave E issue will be on the April 7 agenda.
Commissioner McCann challenged the county administrator on the UF report, stating that McCann thought the Board voted not to take any action on the animal shelter until the University of Florida (UF) report was received. He said that by already moving the dogs, the county wasn’t keeping a promise. Bishop defended his decision, stating that the county needed to move the dogs to move forward to repurpose the Palmetto facility and the moves were being done safely for the dogs and volunteers.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
Item 7. Execution of Agreement to Terminate the Land Use Restriction Agreement for 1211 30th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 - Deborah Ash, Housing and Community Development Coordinator - District 3
McCann questioned why a LURA (land use restriction agreement) would be removed and the property sold at market price when the county needs affordable housing. Ash said that the builder never received financial incentives, only a rapid response and expedited permitting.
William Manifold, a developer in the county for 30 years, explained that after two years on the market, he had determined that the location wouldn’t work due to traffic and vandalism from squatters. He has spent considerable funds on replacing windows on the property, and can’t sustain that. He now has an offer from someone interested in building a rental property.
Kruse agreed that no one wants to get rid of a LURA but in this case, he doesn’t think anyone is trying to “game the system” and that the builder has made a good faith attempt to build something affordable, but it’s not possible.
Motion: Approved 4-1. McCann opposed.
Item 9. Authorization to Issue a Piggyback Purchase Order to Ring Power Corporation for the purchase of a 950 Caterpillar Wheeled Loader - Matthew Case, Fleet Services Division Manager - District 5
McCann wanted to know if this equipment purchase was a replacement and Chad Butzow, Director of Public Works, said that it is and any purchase over $500,000 must be approved by the Board.
Motion Approved 5-0.
Item 12. Execution of Change Order No. 4 to Agreement No. 22-TA004125CD for Professional Transportation Engineering Services for Lena Road Project from south of 44th Avenue East to SR 64; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-066 - Justin Rourk, Project Manager - District 5
McCann asked Butzow when Lena Road is going to be completed. He explained that Lena Road has, due to funding, been completed in segments.
The South section (State Road 70 to State Road 64) is complete. A dual left-turn intersection improvement at State Road 64 and a roundabout at Musgrave is shovel-ready and awaiting funding. The change order, for $444,105, is for water and sewer design for Musgrave Rd.
McCann expressed concern about the increasing costs from a maximum of $2.2 million in 2022, at the start of the project, to a maximum in the current change order of $5.9 million.
Motion Approved 4-1. McCann opposed.
Item 27. Execution of an Impact Fee Credit Agreement for Transportation Improvements with Benderson Development Company, LLC, for Transportation Improvements at Cooper Creek Blvd and University Pkwy - Clarke Davis, Public Works Deputy Director - District 4
McCann questioned how much money Benderson will receive from the credit. McCann asserted that the item is related to the special district designation in Florida House Bill 4091 (passed in the recent session), which gives Benderson responsibility for roads in the district. Butzow explained that the mechanism of the fee credit is for eligible construction costs if a developer comes back to do additional development and becomes exposed again to impact fees. Butzow stated that the county roadways are a joint-use effort of Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
A representative of the Benderson company said that the special district has no authority over local government; it doesn’t change jurisdiction. If there is a situation that the government hasn’t or can’t manage, such as flood control, the special district can offer to supplement government efforts.
McCann countered that the explanation contradicted what he had been told by “Tallahassee”, but he wouldn’t say from whom he had received the information.
The county attorney noted that the HB4091 special district designation pertains to land outside of the bounds in Item 27.
Motion Approved 4-1. McCann opposed.
Special Presentation (not on agenda)
Administrator Charlie Bishop said that April 3 will be Courtney De Pol’s last day with county government, where she has been for the past 4 years, starting as Director of Development Services. For the past 15 months she has served as a Deputy County Administrator.
Bishop, as well as several of De Pol’s colleagues, warmly praised De Pol for her leadership, dedication to the county, and her interest in always getting to the root cause of a problem and fixing it. She was described as “fierce” and humble.
Commissioners all spoke highly of her, describing her “bias toward action” and “get it done” attitude.
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS - LEGISLATIVE
Item 33. Adoption of Resolution R-26-027, regarding naming the Community Center at Washington Park as the "Lawrence C. and Clifford B. Livingston Community Center" - Molly White, Director, Sports and Leisure Services - District 2
During the January 27 meeting, Ballard moved to have a resolution drafted to name the park after Pastor Livingston and his wife, who advocated for 25 years for the park. White said the ribbon cutting for Phase 1 will take place on May 7.
Motion Approved 5-0.
Item 34. Adoption of Resolution R-26-038, naming the David J. Crane Park addition as the "Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park" - Molly White, Sports, and Leisure Services Director - District 1
The motion to name the park addition after late Commissioner Felts was made at the March 3 meeting. White said that the family requested that her full name be incorporated in her honor. The ceremony and a memorial will take place April 18 at the park.
Motion Approved 5-0.
REGULAR
Financial Management
Item 35. Appointment of two (2) Manatee County residents living in the Unincorporated area of the County to the Citizens Oversight Committee for Infrastructure Sales Tax Advisory Board to serve a term of two years - Claudia Campos, Interim Chief Financial Officer
The Board approved the two candidates who applied, John A. Mele and Wayne Stellfox. The county will advertise for candidates to apply to two additional openings on the advisory board.
Motion Approved 5-0.
GOVERNANCE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
Commissioner McCann is right to question a significant price increase such as Item 12 having to do with Lena Road. But, perhaps a more fruitful and informed approach would be to pull such items from the agenda prior to the meeting and request the staff prepare a thorough presentation on the reasons for the cost increases for the commissioners to review prior to the meeting.
When McCann pulls an item, such as the purchase of a piece of equipment, just to ask if it is a replacement, it is not a productive use of commissioner, staff, or citizen time - whether a constituent questions that item or not.
The County Commissioners and the citizens are helped by the improved communications by Administrator Bishop about completed projects. However, the League recommends that board members request county staff to also share information about future proposals, works in progress, and items such as the plan to move dogs from the former shelter to the new one, and certainly the fact that the UF input did not include a site visit to the shelter and appears to lack a written report.
The new animal advisory committee, hopefully, can provide an effective avenue for input into decision-making on the shelter and animal welfare.
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