Votes at a glance: Manatee County Commission approves high school site plan, awards roof replacement and moves ahead on utility and safety projects

Bradenton — The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, voted on a range of capital and policy matters, including final approval of a Manatee County School District high‑school site plan, a hurricane‑damaged roof replacement for the county fleet facility and an extension for work at the Lake Manatee water‑treatment plant.

The most contentious vote came on a site plan for a new Lakewood Ranch high school. After more than two hours of presentations and public comment and an initial failed motion to deny, the board approved the school site plan by a 4–3 vote. School District officials told the board the campus would open in phases and that traffic mitigation measures — including a planned signal at Post Road and Rangeland Parkway — were being coordinated with county staff. School District Assistant Superintendent Mike Penley said the district intends to open initial classrooms in 2027 and to complete later phases in subsequent years.

The board also took the following formal actions (motions, movers/second where on record, vote and outcome):

• Item 17 — Fleet facility roof replacement (Hurricane Milton damage): Motion to authorize contract award and funding to fully replace the county fleet facility roof after engineer review found more than 25% damage. Moved by Commissioner Ron; seconded by (recorded). Michelle Worley, property‑management manager, told the board the roof ‘‘did sustain major damage during Hurricane Milton’’ and that FEMA reimbursement is being pursued. Vote: approved, 5–2 (Commissioners Bearden and McCann recorded as opposing). Notes: staff said temporary repairs were no longer sustainable; replacement is to current wind‑load standards and staff will seek FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement. (Discussion start ~01:14:17.)

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