Delegation advances repeal of Manatee library advisory board statute

The Manatee County legislative delegation on Friday voted unanimously to advance a local bill that would repeal the special-act statute establishing the county'level library advisory board and allow the county to adopt a local ordinance setting the board's makeup and duties.

Amanda Ballard, Manatee County commissioner for District 2, told the delegation the existing statute dates to a special act that predated home-rule changes and "no longer meet[s] the needs of our community today." Ballard said the county wants authority to add seats representing Lakewood Ranch, other east-county population centers and stakeholders such as parents, youth and teachers.

Ballard said the county commission voted unanimously to send the proposal to the delegation and that the move would return decisions on board makeup and collection-development policy to local control. Representative Connolly closed public comment after no speakers signed up and asked for a roll call; the delegation recorded a unanimous 4-0 vote to advance the repeal.

If the repeal moves forward in the Legislature, Ballard and county staff said the county plans to enact a local ordinance that sets membership and duties to reflect the county's larger and geographically shifted population since the statute was written.

Representative Connerly (spelled in meeting materials as the member who will carry the item) is listed as the sponsor to carry the repeal in the House. Delegation members repeatedly emphasized the bill only begins a multi-step process: committee hearings in both chambers and a governor's signature are still required.

Provenance: Commissioner Amanda Ballard introduced the repeal and explained the county's rationale (see transcript 10:55to14:48). The delegation recorded its unanimous vote to advance the bill at the local-bill portion of the meeting.