Invocation Pastor Wende Thompson, Glory Cloud Ministries

Pledge of Allegiance by the Boys and Girls Club

Announcements

Updates to Agenda – May 15, 2025, May 16, 2025

Awards/Presentations/Proclamations

Proclamations

West Manatee Fire and Rescue District 25th Anniversary    

Ben Rigney, Fire Chief West Manatee Fire and Rescue District received the proclamation designating June 17, 2025, as the 25th anniversary of the West Manatee Fire and Rescue District, which was established when the Anna Maria and West Side Fire Control districts merged.

Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) Day    

Veronica Thames, CEO of MCF, received the proclamation designating July 1, 2025, as Manatee Community Foundation Day, celebrating its 27 years of leadership in Manatee County. Commissioner Kruse noted that he appreciates the leadership role that MCF has taken with Community Organizations Active in Disaster and animal welfare.

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

Items 14, 15 and 71 were requested to be pulled from the Consent Agenda.

Consent Agenda

Approved 7-0 (except items 14, 15 and 71)

Select Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

Youth members of the Boys & Girls Club offered several items for future consideration, including establishing a Youth Advisory Board, hosting town hall meetings to address access to guns, and requiring Narcan wherever AEDs (defibrillators) are available.

Commissioner responses:

• Commissioner Ballard requested the youth who suggested requiring Narcan with AEDs email her to set up a meeting.
• Commissioner Saddique asked the youth who suggested the Youth Advisory board set up a meeting with him.

Items Removed From The Consent Agenda

Item 14. Approval of Final Plat Firethorn Phase IA, PDR-22-21/24-S-64(F), PLN2406-0186), Quasi-Judicial, Loretta Merrill, Senior Planner – District 1

Merrill explained that this needed approval because of a mistake in the original declaration regarding the lot number, which this updates.

Approved 7-0

Item 15. Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-081; and Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-092 for Infrastructure Sales Tax, Sheila McLean, Chief Financial Officer  

McLean explained that this request is to defer item #8, related to the Emerson Point Land Expansion purchase. This was approved with the understanding that the State would approve paying a portion of the Emerson Point development. It has been deferred at the State level, likely to be brought up again in July. The county also needs to defer this budget item.

Motion to Defer Approved 7-0

Item 71. Approval to schedule a Special Meeting for the Commissioners to approve the final Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Community Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan 

Commissioner McCann sought clarification on whether there would be additional opportunities for public comment and was reassured there would be future opportunities.

Approved 7-0

REGULAR

Administrator

Item 76. Confirmation of Appointment of Deputy County Administrator

County Administrator Bishop introduced Dr. Corey Stutte, gave a summary of his background and requested he be confirmed as Deputy County Administrator. Dr. Stutte spoke briefly.

Commissioners Felts, McCann and Bearden felt that the item was added to the agenda too late (Monday evening at 6:18 pm). This did not allow Commissioners to prepare and the public to be notified, and they questioned if a 3rd deputy is necessary considering the DOGE-related economizing.

Commissioners Kruse, Ballard, Rahn and Siddique felt that, because their next meeting was not until July 29, a decision was necessary now. Preparations and gaining familiarity with Manatee County are necessary for hurricane season and his family should be moved and settled for the start of the school year. It was also noted that staffing levels were reviewed in the budget process.

All commissioners agreed that this was NOT a reflection on Mr. Stutte’s credentials or viability as a candidate. Their concerns were solely related to the procedure.

Public comments:

Three citizens stated that this item was placed on the agenda too late for citizens to review the candidate’s qualifications and to make informed comments.

McCann’s motion to defer this item to the next meeting failed 3-4 (Felts, McCann and Bearden voting to defer).

Agenda item to hire Mr. Stutte was approved 4-3 (Felts, McCann and Bearden opposed).

Community and Veteran Services

Item 73. Execution of the FY26 Non-Profit Funding Agreement with Helping Up Mission with the Operations of Under One Roof, Sarah Brown, Community and Veteran Services Director   

Leah Hudson, Homeless Project Manager for Manatee County, stated that the Helping Up Mission is a not-for-profit based corporation that the county has contracted with to fill the gap in services available for women experiencing addiction and homelessness, providing a bridge to safety and independence. The services will be provided at Under One Roof Gateway Shelter and be available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and free of charge to clients. The County will oversee operations.

Commissioner Ballard appreciated all the hard work involved and feels this is the best use of opioid funds.

Approved: 7-0

Financial Management

Item 70. Approval to designate a dedicated fixed Sheriff Millage within the Countywide operating millage, Sheila McLean, Chief Financial Officer

McClean requested that the board defer this item so more research can be conducted to determine all the impacts. Currently the Sheriff receives 1/12 of the funding allocation each month. If the change is made, the allocation to the Sheriff will take place once a year in December. That will impact his cash flow. Additionally, property tax collected can vary from what is budgeted.

Sheriff Wells and Commissioner Siddique requested more time to vet this project.

McCann made a motion to defer this to 2026-2027 budget process.

Select Public comments

Sandra stated this will cost taxpayers more money to implement both the County and Sheriff’s side.

Motion to defer: Approved 7-0

Government Relations

Item 64. Government Efficiency Liaison Committee and DOGE response update, Brent Anderson, Government Relations Manager   

Stephanie Garrison, Director of Government Relations, said the Executive Office of the Governor’s portal requested 6 items which were submitted on 6/3.

The Manatee Government Efficiency Liaison Committee will consist of 5 members who must be residents of Manatee County and registered voters. They must have background/experience in related fields, such as accounting, finance, auditing, HR, etc. The application is open now and will remain open until July 18. At the July 29 BOCC meeting, the commissioners will approve the members of the committee.

Public comment:

Glen said the requirements for members are too stringent and the county should look for blue collar “regular” citizens.

Property Management

Item 65. Execution of Contract for Sale and Purchase from MANATEE PROPERTY, LTD, for the Rye Preserve Cemetery Buffer (Environmental Lands Candidate Property) located at Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish, Florida 34219, Debra Woithe, Environmental Lands Division Manager – District 1

Click here for history of the Rye Preserve area.

Approved in 3 motions 7-0

Item 66. Execution of Contract for Sale and Purchase from from the Estate of Theolla B. Cannon in the amount of $420,000.00 for the Crane Park Addition property (13+/- acres, and Environmental Lands Candidate Property), 37600 Bradenton Arcadia Road, Myakka City, Florida 34251, Debra Woithe, Environmental Lands Division Manager – District 1   

Click here for map of Crane Park addition

Approved in 3 motions 7-0

Public Works

Item 67. Manatee County’s Traffic Road Safety Program and Action Plan Draft Report, Vishal S. Kakkad, Traffic Engineering Division Manager  

Kakkad made an excellent presentation on the adaptations made by the Manatee county roads, given that 19% of the drivers are 65+. These include special signage, more lighting, rumble strips, extended crossing times for pedestrian walkways, etc. The report also contains information on high-risk areas for accidents, many of which are rural.

Commissioner Agenda Items

Item 68. Discussion on Citizen Advisory Board Review

Siddique expressed concern about the effectiveness of the 15 county advisory boards. For example, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Affordable Housing Advisory Boards have not been able to meet due to lack of attendance/quorum. A member can be replaced after missing 3 meetings.

Felts said she would like to establish a Rural Lands Citizen Advisory Board and would make that request a future agenda item.

Kruse felt the problem is that the State mandates that boards must operate in the Sunshine and asserted that the county would not be able to get the best, most knowledgeable members because they wouldn’t jeopardize their business and clients by having all conversations public.

Item 75. Fee for Service Evaluation for Boat Ramp Facilities

Siddique stated he reviewed many other counties’ practices regarding boating fees and practices and proposed that the Commissioners look at sources of self-funding boat ramps and/or related facilities, such as parking.

Motion to direct staff to explore fees at boat ramps and related facilities approved 6-1 (McCann opposed).

Citizen Comments (Continuation of Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

Tina commented that she appreciated attention to the homeless initiatives but expressed concern that more permanent funding sources are needed as opioid settlement funds are temporary. She also noted that the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness are not addicts and would not be served by the opioid-funded programs, and that it is preferable to provide housing vs. temporary shelter.

Commissioner Comments

McCann

• was distressed that the proposed budget includes hiring for 131 new positions. He said the county currently employs 2,407 people and wants the details for each of the requested positions.
• requested a workshop on quasi-judicial proceedings. A discussion proceeded on the legality of commissioners talking with people/citizens about quasi-judicial proceedings.
• requested a workshop on how and when to get items on the agenda stating that the Board has flip-flopped on how to handle late agenda item additions.

Kruse said no one was following the agenda rules he laid out. He’s chosen to be flexible, but he would take a hard line if the Commissioners agreed he should take a hard line.