Manatee County adopts $1.368 billion FY26 budget, cuts millage rate; CIP and reserves debated

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners adopted the county's fiscal year 2026 budget and related tax and capital plans during a Sept. 22 special budget meeting, approving four resolutions by 6-1 votes, with Commissioner Bob McCann voting in opposition.

County Chief Financial Officer Sheila told the board the FY26 adopted budget establishes a balanced financial plan that funds county services, maintains reserves and supports strategic capital investment. She said the county's total net budget is $1,368,000,000 and the total gross budget is about $3.6 billion, which includes prior-year grants and special districts such as the Port Authority, the Law Library and the Historical Commission.

The budget package included a final aggregate millage rate of 6.5033 mills, a reduction from the rollback aggregate rate of 6.7559 mills that Sheila said represents a negative 3.7393% change. The board approved the millage resolution (B-26-004) on a motion by Commissioner Siddique, seconded by Commissioner Bearden; the motion passed 6-1 with McCann opposed.

Why it matters: the budget and the five-year capital improvement plan direct county spending on public safety, transportation, utilities and infrastructure projects and determine tax rates residents pay.

Sheila outlined how revenue and spending are allocated: property taxes make up almost 34% of county funding sources, with charges for services the next largest source. She said public safety is the single largest spending category…