Link to the Agenda

The meeting ran from 9:00 am to 8:15 pm, so there was considerable information to cover. Some items were taken out of their usual order, some items on the same topic were combined, and some items were deferred to future meetings. This summary includes only those items with substantive discussion or clear public interest.

AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS

Presentation of Retirement Award

Keith Lock, EMS District Chief, Public Safety Department, was presented with a retirement award honoring his 31+ years of service with Manatee County Government.

Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for July 2026

Chenoa Shull, Librarian II- Cataloging, was hired during a period when there were massive staffing changes. She researched best practices for cataloging, taught other staff, and has been instrumental in the implementation of the self-checkout system and the Manatee County library app.

Presentation of the 2026 Summer Internship Capstone Projects

The 2026 Summer Internship Capstone Project presentations represent the culmination of the County’s 10-week summer internship program. Throughout the internship, participants worked hand-in-hand with County staff to gain practical experience in local government operations, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful projects within their assigned departments. All 10 students were introduced, and their mentor’s and projects were named. Two presented their project work continued work on the Manatee County GIS property projects system and the documentation of the current public comments process with a proposal for an improved process. [Note: The video of the presentations is well worth watching.]

Proclamations

Judge Gilbert Smith Day

On July 31, 2026, Judge Smith retired from the Twelfth Judicial Circuit after more than 17 years on the bench. The judge received many accolades for his legal expertise and his community work with Kiwanis and the Chamber of Commerce.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Awareness Month

Alex Palmer, ADA Coordinator for Manatee County, received the award stating that there have been great strides but more to be done. Commissioner McCann gave a shout out to Pat Simmons who attends every meeting to inform them about disabilities and what can be done to make inclusion possible.

 

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

Items were pulled by Commissioner McCann 8, 70, 10, 19, 32, 33, 35

Item were pulled by Commissioner Siddique 13

CONSENT AGENDA / APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

The League encourages residents to read the full meeting agenda to learn about the approved consent items.

Citizen comments

Mark Silagy of the Cortez Coalition, thanked the board for the changes in Item 46. which changes the location of equipment staging area needed for construction of the new Cortez bridge. The revision keeps most of that activity to the south side of Cortez Blvd.

Consent agenda approved 6-0.

ADVISORY BOARD COMMENTS AND UPDATES

Item 51. Government Efficiency Liaison Committee (GELC) Final Presentation, Brent Anderson, Government Relations Manager

This Committee was formed by Manatee County in response to the state DOGE analysis of Manatee County expenditures. The Manatee County study showed 3 outliers in expense growth: Public Safety, Sheriff’s Department, and Utilities. The group removed these areas due to public safety requirements, hurricanes, and utilities being an enterprise fund.

Suggested changes:

• Manatee County Purchasing Department to conduct a feasibility study to find more ways to combine purchasing activities through interlocal agreements (ILA) across multiple county and city entities
• Because capital projects must hold at least 20% in reserve, they suggested reviewing all the approved projects to see if they are still viable and freeing up those funds if no longer viable.
• Using Tourist Development Taxes to offset current general funds projects.
• Review each line in Reserves to see if an item can be eliminated for other purposes.

Siddique recommended:

• Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) projects costs have skyrocketed. CIP projects should be reevaluated to focus on smaller dollar projects that would have significant impact.
• Change the reporting CIP reporting structure to reduce management costs.

Citizen Comment

Mark Stanoch, who previously chaired the GELC, stated that employees know best where there is “waste, fraud, and abuse” and the process should not end with the close of this study.

SELECT CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

Six citizens spoke about the problems with short-term rentals and the need for additional regulation and enforcement. They want a seat at the table drafting the ordinance and how it is enforced. Problems include flooding (due to addition of impervious surfaces like pickle-ball courts), trash, property damage, noise, lack of enforcement and lack of data that captures the number of occurrences. Speakers representing organizations were Erin of Manatee Concerned Residents and Martha, Board member of Pine Meadow HOA.

Pat was concerned that Florida has joined Texas in challenging Section 504 rule, which makes it easier to institutionalize people with disabilities with or without their permission.

Commissioner Comments

Siddique explained that a previous effort to regulate short‑term rentals failed because enforcement costs were too high. He believes the newly proposed regulations strike the right balance. He also noted that the county cannot change wetland buffers or limits on impervious surfaces until SB180 expires in October 2027, as the law currently blocks local amendments to comprehensive plans.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

Item 70. Authorization for staff to use Community and Veterans Services funds for the Palmetto Downtown Main Street to develop a pocket park, Stephanie Garrison, Government Relations Director – District 2

McCann questioned where the funds are coming from and if funds will be returned. The park is temporary. Why doesn’t Palmetto provide the funds? Palmetto officials say they are not permitted to fund anything temporarily. Commissioners Ballard and Siddique feel the $25,000 to fund the pocket park is a good investment to help cities succeed and to combat urban sprawl.

Approved 5-1. McCann opposed.

Item 19. Execution of Change Order No. 1 to Agreement No. 24-TA005639LP for Bishop Animal Shelter Expansion Phase 1, and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-103, Angela Honts, Project Manager – District 3

 

McCann and Commissioner Bearden questioned whether spending $1.4 million on shade structures for existing animal shelters was the best option. Staff explained that shade, not heat abatement, was the goal, noting the current use of 54 temporary tents costing $10,000. After reviewing code‑compliant options, staff selected permanent metal shade structures with sound‑absorption panels, expected to be completed by November 2026 if approved.

 

Citizen Comments

Seven citizens called permanent, safe animal‑shelter solutions, citing drainage failures, concerns about prefab kennels, the need for community workshops, and a proposal to renovate the Palmetto facility.

 

Motion to Deny passes 5-1. Siddique voting no.

 

ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS – LEGISLATIVE

Item 53. Adoption of Resolutions R-26-098 and R-26-099, adopting the Manatee County 2026/27 Annual Action Plan, and the Substantial Amendment to the 2025/26 Annual Action Plan (ESG-RUSH Second Allocation), Julia Vieira, Community Development Program Manager – Countywide

Beardon is concerned about the amount of money being spent on construction and feels there should be competitive bids. McCann questioned the amount being spent on a commercial kitchen.

Approved 4-2. McCann and Bearden voting no.

REGULAR AGENDA

Property Management

Item 55. Adoption of Resolution R-26-095 to Place the Proposed Environmental Lands Acquisition, Improvement, and Management Finance Referendum of a 0.16 Mill Property Tax Levy and Authorization for up to $75,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds on the November 3, 2026 General Election Ballot, Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager – Countywide

Purpose of the referendum is to acquire, improve, and manage land to protect drinking water sources, water quality, natural areas from over-development, the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams, including the Manatee, Myakka, Little Manatee, and Braden Rivers, preserve environmentally sensitive lands, Fish and wildlife habitat, provide natural floodwater storage, protect working farms and ranches, and prevent storm-water runoff pollution.

Link to RESOLUTION NO. R-26-095 and ballot wording.

Approved 6-0.

Item 62. School District 1 – Mill Referendum Collection Fee Refund – Siddique

In March of 2018, Manatee County voters approved a 1‑mill school referendum to fund added instructional time, higher pay for teachers and instructional staff, expanded STEM programs, and support for local charter schools. The Tax Collector operates as an enterprise fund, so any tax collections above its budgeted amount are refunded to Manatee County. In 2024 and 2025, collection fees were charged to the School Board but ultimately refunded to the County. To ensure every public dollar generated by the school millage is used for its voter‑approved educational purposes, the Board should transfer those refunded collection fees back to the School Board.

Approved 6-0.

Item 56. Appointment of One Applicant to the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Advisory Committee (ELMAAC), Kara Koenig, Environmental Lands Program Section Manager – Countywide

Jennifer Hoffman was appointed to ELMAAC.

COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS

67. Update to Manatee County Pedestrian Safety Ordinance (Ordinance No. 25-35) for unincorporated areas of the County – McCann

There is a dramatic increase in incidents of traumatic brain injury and missing feet and toes due to accidents with e-bikes and e-scooters. A great deal of educational materials are going to go home with children in school. Staff is proposing requiring registering e-vehicles, and having them QR code stickered, if children are riding them to school. That would allow first responders to promptly notify the child’s parents if there is an accident.

Move to instruct the Public Safety Department to prepare and bring back a revised and updated ordinance regarding the operation of electric bicycles, e-scooters, and unregistered high-powered motorized bicycles

Approved 6-0.

Item 59. Animal Services Millage – Ballard and 65. Fiscal and Feasibility Analysis regarding Kennel Structures at the Bishop Campus – McCann

Ballard felt that the shelter was doing an excellent job as it currently exists. She feels that the voters should decide if they want to provide a dedicated funding source.

McCann stated that the citizens were already promised a shelter and it is not fair to ask them to have more taxes. He feels we need to know how much a new shelter will cost. Commissioner Kruse pointed out that the dedicated milage would be exempt from necessary cuts if Amendment 3 passes. Bearden objected to possible $75 million of bonding. Bearden and Siddique pointed out they do not have data as to the priority for taxpayers, possible cost and best, location for a new shelter.

Citizen Comments

Fifteen speakers urged greater accountability, and urgency in resolving ongoing animal‑shelter problems, citing safety issues, drainage failures, inadequate temporary kennels, and concerns about prefab structures. They called for permanent, code‑compliant facilities, community involvement through workshops, acknowledgment of past mistakes, and consideration of renovating the Palmetto shelter as part of a long‑term solution.

Ballard withdrew Item 59 due to lack of support.

Item 65. Motion to secure the necessary financial clarity and ensure the long-term sustainability of Manatee County’s animal welfare infrastructure.

Approved 6-0

Item 64. Discussion and Direction Regarding the Designation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as Certified Essential Service and the Identification of Sustainable Funding to Support Its Long-Term Operations – McCann and 71. Designation of EMS and Public Safety Telecommunications as Essential Services in Manatee County – Ballard

Police and fire are designated as essential services but emergency medical and 911 staff are not. Operationally EMS and 911 are essential but not designated at the state or federal level. McCann noted it is urgent that these be designated as such so they are not subject to cuts. Request has been submitted at the federal level and the county is awaiting approval.

Citizen Comments

Two citizens spoke about the vital work the EMS and 911 do.

Motion to develop a resolution and bring for passage.  Direct staff to develop an ordinance to designate EMS and 911 as certified essential services.

Approved 6-0

 

68. Move Project Grace – McCann

McCann proposed that the ice rink be relocated from a Lakewood Ranch residential area and suggested Palmetto near the convention center. Kruse indicated that there is no available land near the convention center. He noted that the sports center was planned before any homes were in the area of the sports center. He was open to discussing potential other locations.

Citizen Comments

Jacqueline brought a petition signed by more than 1200 constituents in support of moving the ice rink.

Fifteen citizens spoke against the rink stating that the original plan had recreational facilities, but not of the commercial nature of the ice rink. They were concerned about traffic, children’s safety, the view from their homes, light and auto emission pollution and lack of major roads. The scale of the project, with 4 rinks and a 800 space parking garage was out of sync with a residential area.

Matt Smith, owner of Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, argued that the county‑land ice rink proposed is unfair competition to his 2, soon to be 3 sheet ice rink. For 30 years his has had no subsides, but the new rink’s includes a $1‑per‑year lease, $5 million in public funds, and no financial safeguards. He said the project’s economics don’t work and asked for independent projections, fair lease terms, and a pause on funding. A candidate for commissioner in District 1 agreed.

Commissioner Comments

Bearden has a problem with government competing with private industry. He suggested working with Ellenton about expanding their ice rink in a private/public partnership. Siddique questioned if the zoning would have been approved if a private entity had requested approval.

Motion to direct staff to suspend negotiations, instead bring back to the board a presentation address the concerns raised and the meeting and relocated to a location different than currently proposed.

Approved 6-0

Item 61. Data Centers – Siddique and 66. Proposed Moratorium on Data Centers – McCann

Summary of the motion – directs staff to draft a temporary moratorium on data‑center‑related development while evaluating county plans, codes, infrastructure capacity, environmental and public‑welfare impacts, and best practices from other jurisdictions; recommend the moratorium’s duration; review applicable state laws; and prepare a proposed ordinance for required public hearings.

Approved 6-0

CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS CONTINUED

Glen stated there were 15 people came to request reopening the Tallevast Center which was abandoned 9 years ago. He was upset that he requested action months ago and has heard nothing.

Ruth Harenchar, President of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, stated the library refused to take League’s nonpartisan voters guides for distribution, and the library had previously done so for decades. After much discussion, there were divided opinions as to whether to instruct the County Administrator to take the guides, so no action was taken.

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

• The meeting ran smoothly. Commissioners were generally courteous, even in their disagreements.
• The Chair did a good job of moving through the agenda, deferring less important items to a future meeting and combining items to address them efficiently.
• Tighter management of the agenda is suggested. We suggest the County Administrator or his designee work to eliminate redundancies and keep the number of items time-frame for the meeting reasonable.