The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Action Team observes the meeting of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) to identify 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 of Manatee County Commissioners Regular Meeting on 5/5/2026 observed by Government Action Team observers.

Link to the Agenda
Link to the Video

Commissioner McCann attended remotely.

Invocation – Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel

Pledge Of Allegiance Commissioner Bearden

Announcements

• Country Club East Park residents sent 19 emails requesting that the County delay the closure of the nearby county park until after May 28, 2026 (end of school year).
• Chair Siddique recognized the passing of Ken Burton, Sr., a former Palmetto mayor and Manatee County commissioner.

Updates to Agenda – April 28, April 29, April 30, May 1, and May 4, 2026

 

AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS

Awards

Presentation of the May Team Member of the Month Award

The May Team Member is Chris Zitzow, Senior Engineering Specialist, Stormwater Engineering Division, Public Works Department.

Chad Butzow, Public Works Department Director, and Tom Gerstenberger, Stormwater Engineering Division Director, described Zitzow as a model employee.

Zitzow has been employed in the county for 10 years. He is responsible for the routine inspection, maintenance, and calibration of the 56 rain and stream gauge stations that are located throughout the county. These gauge stations monitor county drainage systems and the coastal areas. Additionally, he inspects county stormwater facilities.

Proclamations

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month

Commissioner Ballard read the proclamation for awareness of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week

Manatee County EMS Chief Sean Dwyer accepted the Proclamation. The focus of the 2026 EMS Week is “Improving Outcomes Together”. One example is Manatee County has a 38% success rate for the return of spontaneous circulation (restoration of a normal heartbeat) after a cardiac arrest while the state and federal level is 21%. He is proud of his team’s commitment to the residents of Manatee County.

National Drug Court and Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorder Awareness Month

Alfred James, Program Director, Health Care Court Manatee (Florida12 Judicial District), accepted the Proclamation. The Manatee County Treatment Court has been operational since 1997 providing opportunities for people in the criminal justice system to receive treatment and restore their lives to become productive citizens. The Court has expanded to include Health Care Court and Veterans Treatment Court.

The Manatee County Treatment Court has more than 1700 graduates with an 81% success rate which has significantly improved substance abuse treatment outcomes while reducing drug abuse and related crimes.

Graduates from the program spoke about how this opportunity has changed not only their lives but also the lives of their families.

 

Small Business Week in Manatee County

Justin Phillips, Chairman of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber is dedicated to supporting small businesses and encourages residents to “shop local” because it makes a significant impact on the success of small businesses, their employees, and families.

 

REQUESTS BY COMMISSIONERS (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

Commissioner McCann pulled items 30 and 31.

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

Approved 6-0.

SELECT CITIZEN COMMENT (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

Ron, representing the Bradenton Shuffleboard Club, requests the Board work with the City of Bradenton to find an alternative location for the existing shuffleboard court, since the lease is expiring in 2027.  Siddique stated the county doesn’t have anywhere to put shuffleboard.

 

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Item 30. Execution of a Non-Binding Letter of Agreement with the City of Bradenton for property located at 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton, Florida 34209, otherwise known as G.T. Bray Park – Peter Morrow, Property Acquisition Division Manager – District 3

McCann questioned why the County will pay the City of Bradenton attorney fees.

The City of Bradenton presented the Letter of Agreement to the County with the fee included. Morrow stated that staff would approach the City of Bradenton about deleting this cost from the Agreement.

Motion directing staff to negotiate the elimination of the $9,500 attorney fee. Approved 6-0.

Item 31.Execution of Non-Residential Optional Supplemental Power Services Agreement and Execution of the Statement of Work with Florida Power & Light Company for 9000 Town Center Parkway, Eric Ausborn, Project Manager – District 5

McCann questioned the $52,000 cost/month for a back-up generator and whether the staff knew that the generators needed replacement when the new Lakewood Ranch County office building was purchased.

Staff explained that the $52,000/month ($12.48 million for 20 years) covers the installation of two new natural gas generators replacing the existing diesel generators, providing a temporary generator for the duration of construction, any electrical work necessary, and servicing the generators for 20 years.

Staff knew that there were problems with the existing generators and that they would need replacement but did not know that the diesel fuel tank was ruptured. If the County were to undertake this as a Capital Project, it would require an up front investment of $9 million immediately. This agreement also covers power generation during construction and 2 years of maintenance. This location can be used as another site for County staff during storm season if power is out at other County facilities.

Approved 5-1. McCann opposed.

REGULAR

Community and Veterans Services

Item 40. Appointment of member to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee – Deborah Ash, Housing and Community Development Coordinator – Countywide

Samantha Patterson, a licensed Assisted Living Administrator and Educator, was appointed to the Advisory Committee.

Approved 6-0.

REPORTS

Property Management

Item 41. Trust for Public Land Conservation (TPL) Finance Feasibility Study 2026 for Manatee County – Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager – Countywide

At the request of the Manatee County Board of Commissioners, Will Abberger and Jessica Welch from the Trust for Public Land reviewed the Feasibility Study and various funding options for increasing dedicated, ongoing sources of public funds for land and water conservation, parks, water quality, and natural areas in the county. Will Abberger, Vice President of Trust for Public Land (TPL), discussed the strong support of funding referendums for conservation and addressed the prospects of passage of a 2026 ballot measure for environmental lands.

Florida voters have strongly supported purchasing lands for environmental conservation. Of the 52 ballot measures requested, 45 were approved (87%).

TPL will engage in a privately funded poll of Manatee County voters and return with a recommendation at the BOCC June 16, 2026 Regular Meeting.

COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS

Item 42. Naming King Middle Park to Nick Bolletieri Park – Siddique

At the request of residents of NW Bradenton, Siddique proposed renaming the park to honor Nick Bollettieri and moved to authorize the Chairman to send a letter to the School Board requesting that the tennis courts north of Martha B. King Middle School be renamed Nick Bollettieri Park.

Approved 6-0

Item 43. Termination of Agreement No. 23-TA004640JE for Federal Lobbying Services – Siddique

Siddique stated that the County has not been receiving value with the current lobbying service. The recent changes in Congressional District 16 further erode its value with the State redistricting, resulting that Manatee County will be in competition with 5 other counties for funds and Representative Buchannan is retiring, so we will no longer have a long-term representative in Congress.

Commissioner Kruse questioned the need for Federal lobbying services in general, especially considering the current firm did not even send a representative to defend the agreement.

Motion to direct the County Administrator or his designee to prepare a written notice of intent to terminate Agreement No. 23-TA004640JE between Manatee County and Ballard Partners, Inc. for federal lobbying services.

Approved 5-1. McCann opposed.

Item 44. Tingley Library – Siddique

Siddique briefed the Board and public regarding the needs of the Tingley Library at Bradenton Beach, which needs some support to improve the library.

 

Debbie Scaccianoce, City of Bradenton Beach Vice Mayor, thanked the Board for consideration of the request and advised the Board that there are now new quotes that have been provided to county staff and that the new quotes are less than originally anticipated.

Motion to direct staff to negotiate with the City of Bradenton Beach regarding Manatee County Government’s future contributions in support of the Tingley Memorial Library.

Approved 6-0

Item 45. Onsite visit and report from the University of Florida concerning the Bishop Kennels – McCann

McCann motioned to instruct staff to schedule onsite visit by the University of Florida and when date is known, publicize the date and require a full unaltered written report that will be released to the public for review as soon as the report is completed.

Public Comments

Kathy, David, and Deena voiced concerns about the new kennels.

Commissioners Kruse and Siddique stated that there has been a lot of misinformation.

Approved 6-0.

Item 46. Suncoast Prosper – Siddique

State College of Florida (SCF) President Tommy Gregory noted that if Suncoast Prosper is implemented it would provide approximately 12% of the tuition fees for students who qualify.

Jamie Smith, Associate Vice President, Communications & Government Relations at State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota, said SCF’s degree focus is Business, Education, Technology and Health Sciences. Student residency is 51% from Manatee and from 38.5% Sarasota County. One goal of Suncoast Prosper is to provide opportunities for 50% of adults who do not have credentials beyond high school diploma and 50% of students who drop out because of financial need.

Suncoast Prosper provides for “last dollar” financial assistance to eligible students, covering remaining tuition and required expenses after other aid is applied. Funding will be tied to the alignment of career outcomes with the occupation demands.

Commissioners raised concerns about how to keep students in Manatee County and create new job opportunities. They also questioned the timing of the request and how it could be implemented given the uncertainty around property tax revenue.

Motion: Direct staff to Prepare Formal Agreement for the July 28, 2026 Board meeting with all reviews completed to incorporate a budget for Suncoast Prosper for all appropriate fiscal years ($7.5 million to be paid out over 3 annual payments).

Approved 6-0.