November 12, 2026 - Planning Commission - 2026-11-12 09:00:00
Manatee County Planning Commission met to consider two rezoning petitions — a 2.54-acre commercial rezone (Carter) and a 27.34‑acre planned residential development (Stevens). The commission denied both rezoning requests after commissioners and residents raised compatibility, access, traffic and drainage concerns.
Discussion Points
•Applicant proffered a 0.35 FAR cap and a restricted schedule of uses
•Applicant proposes gated emergency access as secondary access
•Applicants argued consistency with comp plan and cited technical reports
•Commissioners emphasized need for site‑plan level engineering before approval
•Commissioners requested site‑plan‑level traffic, environmental and drainage analyses
•New commissioner sworn in
•Residents raised concerns about heavy truck traffic and neighborhood compatibility
•Residents raised concerns about narrow 77th Street East, drainage to Frog Creek, and potential loss of privacy
•Staff found GDP lacked required clarity for several specific approvals
•Staff said GDPs lacked completeness in specific approval sections and diagrams
Decisions
•Motion to deny PDR‑2517 passed 5–1
•Motion to deny ZL 2601 passed 5–1
Directions
•Applicant must provide clearer access mapping and technical analyses at preliminary site plan if refiled
•Applicants to provide complete exhibits at subsequent submittals if pursued
•Staff to include denial recommendation in packet to BOCC
October 20, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-10-20 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners met on 2026-10-20 for a regular meeting featuring proclamations, a contested license agreement for the Cortez bridge construction, three environmental land purchases, changes to the county's cross-connection/backflow program (consent), a heated public discussion and votes on a construction staging license with CEMA Construction, a long public hearing on Bishop Animal Services (facility plans, costs, shade structures), and a unanimous board request for an independent forensic audit of procurement/contract concerns.
Discussion Points
•Advisory board pushed to preserve Lena Road for future east-county facility.
•Commissioners asked about posting schedule, accessibility and integration with agenda pages.
•Contractor said Parcel 2 enables direct barge offloads; neighbors said Parcel 2 was unacceptable for material assembly.
•County staff acknowledged previous direction to limit use south of the pedestrian bridge, but presented a reduced footprint as compromise.
•Form centralizes intake and tags sentiment; staff will accept non-digital submissions and can upload on behalf of citizens.
•Large capital costs and long design-construction schedule for brick-and-mortar replacement vs. near-term operational fixes (shade, sound mitigation).
•Potential cost estimates for an external forensic audit (staff suggested five-figure to low six-figure depending on scope).
•Public raised risks of biennial testing and non-testable dual checks due to debris and failure modes; staff emphasized administrative-code alignment, risk classifications and AMI detection possibilities.
•Requests for public IG briefing on environmental lands-related audit and for comp-plan review; calls for library policy review on voter guides; dementia hub space/funding requests.
•Staff described conservation and hydrologic benefits and restoration priorities, and noted purchase totals, appraisals and a 6.5-acre owner carve-out.
•Whether to use Clerk/IG resources vs. an external firm; scope should include Mosaic-related contracts, specific CIP projects and procurement practices.
Decisions
•Acquisitions approved and budget amendments adopted.
•Board approved direction unanimously.
•Consent approval; no immediate changes to high-risk annual testing requirements.
•Follow-ups noted; some items scheduled for November board and December follow-ups.
•License approved subject to mitigation and coordination.
•Soft launch live; staff to return with minor UX improvements as requested.
•Staff directed to pursue shade procurement and to evaluate Lena Road application.
Directions
•CEMA to work with staff to minimize neighborhood impacts; staff to ensure gating, fencing and limited uses for Parcel 2; FDOT to hold pre-construction outreach session.
•Direct staff to bring procurement package and budget amendment for permanent shade; evaluate concept for Lena Road.
•Staff to consider agenda scheduling for IG briefing, comp plan follow-up after new board seating; staff to advise on library policy/county attorney referral; staff to assess grant/budget options for dementia hub.
•Staff to finalize contracts and return work plan and staffing details to board.
•Staff to prepare scope and procurement plan and to coordinate with Clerk and Inspector General; return to board with timeline and cost estimate.
•Staff to refine visualizations, add easy filters and accept feedback for iterative improvement.
•Staff to study staggered testing and replacement timelines; report back prior to implementation.
October 15, 2026 - Planning Commission - 2026-10-15 09:00:00
Manatee County Planning Commission considered five major land-use items on Oct. 15, 2026, including sign-stipulation changes for a storage facility in Parrish, multiple rezones and plan-development requests, and a contested 90,000-sq.-ft. BayCare medical office proposal that drew neighborhood opposition. The commission approved three items (including a large GDP amendment) and denied two rezoning/rezone-related requests after extended questions about traffic, wetlands, buffering and compatibility.
Discussion Points
•Applicant acknowledged after‑the‑fact construction and described PDI as the proper process to provide special approvals and address setbacks.
•Applicant argued original stipulation inadvertently locked in older code text limiting signs to 6 ft/32 sq ft.
•Applicant argued rezone aligns zoning with future land use and surrounding parcels.
•Applicant committed to a 25% trip reduction versus current entitlement and to maintain buffering between the school and commercial uses.
•Applicant presented a 90,000 sq ft medical office plan with 361 parking spaces, primary access on US 301 and a secondary offset on Red Rooster, and stated Swiftmud reduced wetland acreage estimate to ~1.62 acres.
•Applicant withdrew prior request to transfer 100,000 sq ft from school site and described reallocation and FAR commitment.
•Commissioners asked about enforcement and oversight, and staff noted no enforcement action known and that final technical review would be required.
•Commissioners expressed concern about approving density increases without a site plan in a flood‑prone area and about unknown future impacts (lot split, accessory units, stormwater).
•Commissioners requested updated staff reports and assurances on FDOT coordination for access.
•Neighbors argued larger signs would be visually intrusive and create a precedent for larger signage in Parrish.
•Residents testified extensively about safety concerns (school buses, children, horses, cut‑through traffic) and property impacts.
•Staff clarified lot‑split possibilities and stormwater requirements for nonresidential uses.
•Staff explained modern practice is to cite code sections rather than paste code text into stipulations.
•Traffic consultants presented a PM peak hour estimate (~327 trips) and distribution modeling; commissioners remained unconvinced FDOT coordination and mitigation could be completed in a timeline adequate to protect neighborhood safety.
•Wetland scientist described expansion of a wetland since 1986 and a plan to offset small impacts via relocation of a pond and invasive removal.
Decisions
•Amendment to stipulation approved (compliance with PCV overlay).
•GDP modification approved unanimously with conditions and documentation updates.
•PDI 25‑18 approved with conditions; final mitigation verification required.
•PDO25‑33 denied by 6–0 vote.
•Straight rezoning denied by 5–1 vote.
Directions
•Applicant may return with alternative zoning (e.g., RSF 3) or a site plan for more targeted review.
•Applicant to provide detailed mitigation plan and Swiftmud coordination at final site plan; staff to update final reports.
•Applicant to return with FDOT coordination results, specific mitigation measures (turn lanes/signals), updated stormwater and wetland mitigation plan and evidence of mitigation bank credit availability if resubmitting.
•Staff to update ordinance language and correct staff report to reflect action in final documentation.
•Staff to update ordinance language and final reports to reflect applicant's narrowed request and FAR/trip commitments.
Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting covered a public comment on adaptive tourism, a recommendation to fund a Florida–Florida State legacy weekend watch party, updates on SRQ airport projects and passenger growth, tourism performance dashboards for July–August, sports-event economic impact, tide-valve infrastructure funding options, and water-ferry expansion discussion.
Discussion Points
•Airport reported year-to-date passenger growth and record months.
•Allocating 40% of tourism-tax revenue to infrastructure would permit many projects and materially change funding priorities.
•Fuel costs led to temporary service suspensions; Coquina Beach added as a stop.
•July showed increased rental supply and a small dip in occupancy; August had a larger occupancy decline and decreased direct expenditures.
•Members asked about expected attendance, logistics and seating.
•Members suggested pursuing regional partnerships and grant funding to expand routes.
•Officials noted airline engagement and seasonal service restorations.
•One pontoon catamaran is undergoing refurbishment, which staff said should extend service life by about four years.
•Organizers framed the event as a tourism and fundraising opportunity for RISE programs.
•Planned capital projects total roughly $78 million, including a phased parking garage and baggage-claim expansion.
•Sports events generated an estimated $311M economic impact and $2.4M in sales tax.
•Staff recommended a one-year seed and debrief for year two.
•Staff will deliver a full quarterly report with hotel and rental data next week.
October 8, 2026 - Land Use Meeting - 2026-10-08 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners met Oct. 8, 2026 for a land‑use hearing. The board approved a 12‑month moratorium on data centers, several rezones and GDP amendments (including a 108‑unit affordable project), accepted multiple development plan amendments, heard public comment on procurement and county administration, and voted on appointments and consent items.
Discussion Points
•Applicant lowered AMI target from previously proposed 70% to 60% AMI for deeper affordability; traffic study waiver based on ITE PM trip threshold; final access and parking to be reviewed at FSP.
•Applicant requested funding and asked for agenda placement if a motion could not be made that day.
•Developer reduced multifamily and increased commercial uses to reduce water/wastewater and external trips; planning commission recommended approval; questions focused on infrastructure timing, school impact and affordable housing removal.
•List of votes and indicates items continued for future hearing.
•Staff recommended 12‑month moratorium to allow definition and regulatory work on data centers and large‑load customers; commissioners raised water, power and noise concerns; public asked for longer pause and workshops.
Decisions
•Adopt 12‑month moratorium (Ordinance 26‑42)
•Adopt DRI amendment and companion GDP amendment
•Approve GDP amendment
Directions
•Staff to analyze school trip impacts at FSP if a school is proposed.
•Staff to follow up on county‑provided space options and next agenda availability.
•Staff to verify LURA documentation and impact‑fee incentive eligibility at FSP.
Manatee County board held a special meeting on Oct. 7, 2026 to review and approve recommended awards from the Lasting Manatee (CDBG-DR) infrastructure recovery and resilience program, approving municipal awards and restructuring county project recommendations after debate about prioritizing stormwater work versus a public safety logistics center.
Discussion Points
•Board asked clarifying questions about scoring and why some pre-applications did not advance.
•Feasibility, permit and easement timelines for projects like Pierce Drain.
•Feasibility, permitting and easement timelines for Pierce Drain projects and HUD grant-period constraints.
•How the mitigation set-aside operates and the requirement that activities tie back to 2024 disasters.
•Limits of contingency (~$10M) and the risk of committing contingency to nonprofit awards vs. retaining for overruns.
•Nonprofit requests for IRRP funding and how they would be paid from existing contingency.
•Staff presented municipal recommendations and reminded that public comment cannot materially change submitted applications.
•Stormwater projects vs logistics center; tradeoffs of immediate neighborhood mitigation vs generational operations investment.
•Whether logistics center is generationally impactful vs immediate need for stormwater mitigation.
•Which projects meet HUD\u0019s national objectives and how DOB reviews eliminate duplicate funding.
Decisions
•Approved municipal awards and authorized staff to execute subrecipient agreements.
•Approved the swap: logistics center removed; Pierce Drain added; IRRP funding package approved.
•Board removed the logistics center and approved Pierce Drain instead.
•Motion to study a nonprofit funding tranche was withdrawn; board will not allocate contingency at this time.
Directions
•Staff to proceed with legal review and prepare subrecipient agreements; staff to post approved projects to GIS dashboard and provide updates.
October 6, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-10-06 09:00:00
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners met on Oct. 6, 2026 but lacked a quorum; the board opened a public hearing on Ordinance 26-42 (data center moratorium) and continued adoption to Oct. 8, 2026 at 9 a.m. Public commenters alleged a coordinated effort and sunshine-law violations; commissioners debated whether to discuss or seek termination of County Administrator Charlie Bishop’s contract before a new board takes office. The meeting was adjourned after a motion to do so.
Discussion Points
•Attorney advised board can continue hearing in absence of quorum but cannot take testimony or conduct other business.
•Attorney read and applied R-25-013 to limit actions in the absence of a quorum.
•Commissioner Bearden's item moved to Thursday at his request.
•Costs and practicalities of terminating a contract within weeks of a board transition, including severance and interim pay.
•Public commenter alleged a coordinated effort and sunshine-law violations tied to the continuance.
•Scheduling and rescheduling of agenda items due to light agenda and absent commissioners.
•Whether the present board should act on County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract before a new board takes office.
Decisions
•Adoption hearing for Ordinance 26-42 continued to 10/08/2026 at 9:00 a.m.
•Continue hearing to 10/08/2026 at 9:00 a.m.
•Meeting adjourned after motion; items moved to Thursday and Oct. 20 meeting confirmed.
•No formal board action on the allegation during Oct. 6 meeting; matter remains in the record.
•No formal board decision on administrator contract during Oct. 6 meeting.
Directions
•Follow procedure: continue hearing to a time certain; staff to update notice.
•No termination motion made on Oct. 6; matter remains for future agenda(s).
•Staff to update agenda and public notices to reflect continuance to 10/08/2026 at 9:00 a.m.
•Staff to update agendas and notices for the continued hearings and moved items.
September 24, 2026 - Budget Meeting - 2026-09-24 17:30:00
Manatee County commissioners held a public hearing Sept. 24, 2026, and adopted the FY27 budget, millage rates and a five-year Capital Improvement Plan; the hearing included extended public comment pressing the board to fund a permanent animal shelter and a lengthy discussion about how the infrastructure sales tax is allocated by district.
Discussion Points
•Enterprise funds concentrated in water projects (wastewater/potable water ~96.8% of enterprise CIP).
•First-year CIP funding is allocated; later years remain projections.
•Multiple residents asked for $10–14M in FY27 to build a brick-and-mortar shelter and increase operating staff and pay.
•Staff presented FY27 budget and CIP; commissioners questioned IST allocations and reserve changes.
•Volunteers described unsafe heat and the lack of durable kennels at the current site.
•Whether IST funds should be spent proportionately by district; how staff prioritizes IST projects; whether the board or staff ultimately decides allocations.
September 24, 2026 - Joint Meeting with the Longboat Key Town Commission
Joint meeting between the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Longboat Key covering a roundabout redesign, a proposed north-end community center interlocal and $825,000 funding request, Coquina Beach peak‑season access options, TDT (tourism development tax) interlocal renewal, a Longboat Key wastewater force main project, and FEMA reimbursement concerns.
Discussion Points
•County has not identified a funding source for the request
•County to review municipal projects and consider awards at a special Oct. 7 meeting
•FDOT involvement required for changes affecting state road
•FDOT will fund and administer construction but deferred advertisement to July 2027
•Funding mentioned in transcript: 'over 24,600,000' external funds; '$15,000,000 in grants'; and a $9,500,000 0% interest loan; transcript also contains a conflicting '246,000,000' figure that needs verification
•ILA requests $825,000 over three years with FY27 $200K identified; years 2–3 contingent on amendment 3
•Leak in June 2020 prompted urgency; 6,000 ft of slip‑lining rehab completed
•Officials discussed the risk that FEMA funding could be decentralized to states, increasing administrative burden and payout delays
•Only ~$464,000 obligated so far; pending debris reimbursement (~$4M) and beach renourishment (~$28M)
•Peak congestion caused by drawbridge delays, back‑in parking friction, and multiple access points
•Project design completed by Kimley Horn (June 2026) and expanded to ~2,000 feet
•Project: redundant subaqueous force main, >2 miles of HDPE pipe; design/permitting began Jan 2020
•TDT interlocal expires 09/30/2028; town uses TDT for beach nourishment
•Town has executed leases and seeks county programming funds
•Town reported ~$34M in combined FEMA/state public assistance requests (Helene and Milton)
•Town reports ~$4.3M in TDT received from county since 2018 and county contributed ~$2.69M to 2021 nourishment
•Town to fund utility relocations and brick pavers; construction estimated ~18 months
Directions
•County attorney to review ILA; staff to return with funding options and finalized agreement
•County to bring interlocal renewal and funding items forward for board consideration; municipal staff to coordinate with county grants team
•County to share notes from staff meeting with FEMA in DC; staff to offer EOC/Peregrine tour and data integration support for damage documentation
•Staff to coordinate final advertisement and tie‑in work with FDOT and county engineers
•Staff to draft pilot scenarios, coordinate with MPO/FDOT and sheriff's office, and return with cost and scheduling recommendations
•Town to secure final permits (FDEP, Army Corps), finalize GMP, procure materials and contractors; county to offer permitting coordination and EOC tour
September 22, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-09-22 09:00:00
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. The board adopted an ordinance regulating simulated gambling devices, approved an amendment and payment related to the Musgrave property, discussed a 12-month moratorium on large data-center applications (no final action), continued reserve-policy planning and heard multiple public-comments about animal welfare and cemeteries.
Discussion Points
•Announcement of change to online registration with resident-priority window; continued in-person, site-specific safety training.
•Bearden requested extensive records and set deadlines; county attorney said compiling the data would be time-intensive and recommended board direction for large requests.
•Bishop agreed to provide a narrower procurement disbursement report by Oct. 5 but resisted fulfilling the entire scope within the requested time.
•Commissioner Cruz emphasized contractual obligations tied to the original purchase.
•NAACP leader asked about cemetery cameras and repair progress.
•Public commenters expressed water-supply concerns and urged permanent restrictions.
•Public comment recommended high licensing and restricted venue counts; staff noted state authority limits; board updated motion to include MOU.
•Resident alleged inadequate animal-control response and delays in handling a euthanized kitten.
•Staff outlined past timelines, remaining obligations (mitigation bank credits, floodplain compensation, utilities) and the negotiated damages amount.
•Staff said email confirmations and phone support will continue to handle complex inquiries.
•Staff summarized statutory background and described the proposed 12-month moratorium.
Decisions
•Approve and execute 3rd amendment; authorize $225,000 payment.
•No board vote recorded; follow-up tasks assigned to county admin for partial deliverable.
•No final action taken; second hearing to be scheduled.
•Operational change approved to implement next season.
•Staff committed to follow up with the speakers and to report back.
Directions
•Authorize payment of $225,000 and instruct staff to return with contract approvals for mitigation and construction.
•County administrator to provide procurement disbursement report by Oct. 5; broader requests require board direction.
•Execute MOU with sheriff's office; staff to manage implementation and report back
•Implement online registration and resident-priority access; continue in-person training and provide email confirmations.
•Staff to follow up promptly with animal services and sheriff's office on the specific case and provide cemetery camera and repair updates to the NAACP representative.
•Staff to return with proposed ordinance language and recommended amendments for a future hearing.
September 17, 2026 - Planning Commission - 2026-09-17 08:00:00
A Manatee County Planning Commission session covered proposed stormwater design manual amendments, a 12-month moratorium draft on large-scale data centers, and multiple land-use and rezoning items including affordable housing, storage and commercial site proposals and large master-plan amendments; several items advanced to the Board with recommendations or were denied by the Commission.
Discussion Points
•Applicant confirmed underground retention/filtration tanks under parking sized to current SWFWMD standards.
•Applicant will reduce parking to 1.5 spaces/unit based on transit proximity and market study showing larger family units.
•Concern about legal risk from SB 180 and potential court challenges; staff acknowledged litigation risk.
•Introduce street level‑of‑service design standards that restrict allowable inundation by roadway function (evacuation routes to local streets).
•Need to define geographic scope (unincorporated county; Seaport Manatee clarified as unincorporated).
•Recognize adopted watershed management plan inundation mapping as best available information for design in those watersheds.
•SB 44 requires definitions and water/energy safeguards; moratorium would buy time to draft local regulations.
•Staff proposed adopting NOAA Atlas 14 or watershed parameters and to use the more protective value when they conflict with older FIRMs.
Decisions
•Commission recommended approval (6–0).
•Commission recommended approval of moratorium to the Board (6–0).
Directions
•Staff to draft ordinance and associated comp‑plan/LDC amendments and present to the Board; staff to notify applicants per pending‑law doctrine (notify on Sept. 4 publication).
•Staff to draft specific manual language and cross‑references to the Land Development Code for future public hearings and to email the status spreadsheet to commissioners upon request.
•Staff to update stormwater condition and include in transmittal to the Board and in FSP review.
September 10, 2026 - Budget Meeting - 2026-09-10 17:30:00
Manatee County held the first of two statutorily required FY2027 tentative millage and budget hearings. County Finance staff presented the $1.5B net / $3.7B gross tentative budget and a $2.3B CIP; commissioners and residents debated reserves, impact-fee allocation, new positions, procurement/change orders and the animal shelter. The board set tentative millage and adopted tentative budgets for the county and special districts, and directed staff to return with a revised millage notice for the next hearing.
Discussion Points
•Business case justification and measurable service outcomes for each of the ten new positions.
•Commissioner McCAnn requested an itemized accounting of funds used for the prefab shelter by Friday (staff asked one week).
•Public demanded responsible lead, timeline and dedicated funding for permanent shelter; commissioners noted prior board action in 2019 and a December 2023 design report.
•Staff cited statutory district maps and the requirement that impact fees be used in the region where collected.
•Staff explained gross vs net budget and CIP priorities; commissioners pressed on reserves and positions.
•Whether impact fees collected in one area can be legally spent in another district; need for clearer public mapping and reporting.
•Whether to leave the tentative millage unchanged until after Nov. 3 or to lower it now; offsetting cuts; effect on advertising/certification deadlines.
•Which of the 48 frozen positions were vacant vs occupied; how much of the $5.3M represents recurring savings.
Decisions
•Board adopted current tentative filing but requested staff return with revised notices and calculations.
•Board adopted tentative budget and set next public hearing dates.
Directions
•Staff to compile invoices, receipts and allocation records for the Bishop (temporary) shelter and provide to commissioners within one week.
•Staff to prepare revised millage advertising and return at next hearing (Sept. 24).
•Staff to provide business cases and vacancy/occupancy breakdown to commissioners.
•Staff to provide the project-level impact-fee collections and allocation breakdown and point to the annual report and district map online.
•Staff to recalc millage effects and return with revised advertisement language and a revised resolution for the Sept. 24 hearing.
September 3, 2026 - Land Use Meeting - 2026-09-03 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (land-use meeting) covered developer requests and code amendments, including a contested Crosswind Point commercial rezoning with a new stipulation limiting internal building square footage, a pilot minimum-lot-size exemption proposal, parking-code changes under review, approvals for a foster-family housing project and a BayCare emergency department, and public concern about a $20 million PFAS contract ("Project Wolf").
Discussion Points
•Applicant agreed to a written stipulation capping cumulative internal building floor area to 100,000 sq ft.
•Applicant removed proposed cell tower from preliminary site plan.
•Commissioner Ballard stated she voted to send Project Wolf back to the county attorney's office for review.
•Exclusions: agricultural zoning, PDs, flood‑prone parcels, septic service parcels.
September 2, 2026 - Work Session - 2026-09-02 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners held a work session Sept. 2, 2026 to discuss options for regulating short-term rentals in unincorporated Manatee County, including registration, inspections, enforcement, and funding. Staff presented ordinance options, cost estimates and vendor materials; the fire marshal urged life-safety focus; dozens of residents and owners gave contrasting public comments.
Discussion Points
•Board directed staff to research legal zoning questions and return with transition plan in 30–45 days.
•Fire marshal recommended routing DBPR licensing and working through interlocal inspection agreements.
•He emphasized life-safety items (egress, emergency lighting, documented compliance) rather than duplicative regulation.
•Owners described good management practices (noise monitors, responsible-party contacts) and warned against disproportionately high fees.
•Residents pressed for stronger enforcement against repeat bad actors and suggested time limits for noisy activities.
•Staff presented multiple cost models including vendor a la carte and full-service staffing scenarios.
•Staff presented options to enforce existing ordinances or create a dedicated registration and inspection program.
•Staff to explore phased rollouts, fee revisions, and operational steps that can be taken before ordinance passage.
Directions
•Board to consider pilots, phased rollouts and ways to reward compliant operators with fee reductions.
•County attorney and staff to clarify legal interpretation of continuous sound and applicable occupancy standard and incorporate clarified language in draft ordinance.
•Prepare RLS on zoning and preemption issues; revise fee and staffing scenarios; draft phased implementation plan; consult fire districts on routing inspections.
•Staff to analyze phased rollout options and more conservative fee/staffing scenarios.
•Staff to explore routing and interlocal agreements with fire districts to streamline inspections and avoid duplication.
•Staff to perform legal review (RLS) of historic zoning definitions and preemption issues and return with a transition plan in ~30–45 days.
•Staff to provide refined cost breakdowns (vendor vs in-house), vendor a la carte pricing, and a phased rollout plan.
September 1, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-09-01 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners met Sept. 1, 2026. Major items included a prolonged debate and a unanimous vote to end negotiations on "Project Grace" (a proposed 4‑sheet ice multiplex at Premier Sports Campus), a presentation and contentious public feedback on the Light Up Manatee street‑lighting program, a staff presentation and board direction to hold off final approval of a proposed PFAS/leachate treatment pilot (Project Wolf) pending county attorney review, conveyance of the GTE Building to the City of Bradenton for a Point Park University campus, confirmations of two senior county administrators, several consent votes and capital approvals.
Discussion Points
•Administrator and HR described candidates' experience; commissioners raised questions about qualifications and recruitment process.
•Board added reverter clause and easements to protect county interests.
•CIP claims >90% PFAS removal and pay‑for‑performance construction; CIP has equipment staged in county.
•City presented expected economic and cultural benefits of a Point Park campus and asked to use the GTE Building with CRA financing for interior tenants.
•Commissioners pressed developer on financials, breakeven year and alternatives.
•Commissioners raised procurement, funding, rate and legal sufficiency questions; county attorney advised previous RLS was extensive and recommended final submission for review.
•Fixture choices: standardized COBRA fixtures used to ensure performance and containing costs; decorative fixtures cost more and may require MSBU opt‑ins.
•Program progress (~2,455 lights installed of ~3,531 planned); selection based on nighttime crash and crime heat maps.
•Public commenters emphasized impact‑fee legality, traffic, neighborhood character and potential competition with existing rinks.
•Residents requested more notice, opt‑in options and post‑installation safety data.
•Staff clarified ELMAC changes preserve tree advisory duties and codify due‑diligence for purchases.
•Staff summarized prior approvals and explained limits of answers until a final site plan is submitted.
Decisions
•Board directed staff not to execute agreements until legal review complete.
•CFO and DCA confirmed; ordinance 26‑40 adopted.
•Motion to end negotiations approved unanimously.
•Resolution adopted unanimously.
Directions
•Complete appointment paperwork; staff to implement ELMAC code changes and update public materials.
•Convey deed with reverter clause; city to proceed with permitting and CRA funding for tenant improvements.
•Staff directed to end negotiations with current applicant and not bring the project forward.
•Staff directed to resubmit all final documents (redlines/track changes) to County Attorney for prioritized review before any board approval of agreements.
•Staff to return with options for decorative fixtures, a clear opt‑in/MSBU path and performance metrics (crime/crash comparisons) for future evaluation.
August 25, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-08-25 09:00:00
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners met Aug. 25, 2026. The board recognized an employee of the month, issued proclamations (including Miss Florida and International Overdose Awareness Day), heard lengthy public comment on Project Grace and other neighborhood concerns, approved multiple funding and historic-designation items, debated restoring Facebook live comments and live-streaming platforms, reviewed a pilot AI audit of procurement, and debated new rules and limits for school-zone speeds and license-plate-reader cameras.
Discussion Points
•Applicant described architectural features and restoration history.
•Commissioners argued Facebook reaches more residents and restores access for many who do not use YouTube.
•Commissioners questioned why certain education‑focused applicants were unfunded and asked staff about compliance requirements.
•Commissioners wanted performance guardrails to ensure the county’s investment yields local workforce retention.
•Funding options considered included general fund reserves and Southwest TIF; CFO noted TIF funding would require recipients to show residency in the TIF area.
•Privacy advocates and residents urged stricter county control and cited misuse in other jurisdictions.
•Residents asked the board to move Project Grace to a commercial site and to hold public workshops.
•Sheriff’s Office supporters and some commissioners said LPRs aid criminal investigations; commissioners asked for more transparency and visits to the real‑time center.
•Speakers demanded operational, traffic, stormwater and environmental studies before any lease or execution of a development agreement.
•Staff confirmed criteria were met and the Historic Preservation Board recommended approval.
•Staff explained CSAB review criteria and the opportunities to restore funding from discretionary balance.
•Staff said extra archival service for Facebook comments costs about $6,600/year and increases public‑records workload.
Decisions
•Board approved amended recommendations and then approved Big Brothers Big Sisters funding separately (commissioner with conflict abstained on that vote).
•Board approved the direction; counsel warned about limits on regulating private property and existing permitted right‑of‑way installations.
•Board approved the local landmark designation (house only).
•Interim restoration approved; staff to report back with plan and metrics.
•No formal decision on site change was made; item will return for further analysis and possible action next week.
•Pilot approved with removal of TIF residency restriction; staff to return with funding details and retention metrics.
Directions
•Add funding for Avenue 941, Rocket Phonics and level fund Just for Girls at amounts stated; staff to verify documentation and compliance prior to contracting.
•Board to accept public comments and consider additional workshops if documentation remains incomplete.
•Identify funding source and include termination clause if funding becomes unavailable.
•No administrative approvals for new LPR installations on county‑owned facilities; staff to draft precise permit language to bring back and to request transparency/audit materials from MSO.
•Record local designation and apply code requirements for future exterior changes.
•Restore Facebook live comments temporarily and return Sept. 2 with analytics, cost estimates, and recommended platform policy.
•Staff to present Project Grace as a time‑certain item at next week’s meeting at 9 a.m., including operations, management strategy and alternatives.
•Staff to remove TIF residency language and limit eligibility to Manatee County residents; staff and SCF to develop retention threshold to guide continuation beyond the pilot.
Manatee County Tourist Development Council discussed a Holmes Beach tide-valve drainage proposal and deferred action to Oct. 12 to allow the TDC to secure an independent tourism-impact analysis; the council approved a $50,000 recommendation to pursue meetings-business leads at an October trade show and received tourism and social-media updates.
Discussion Points
•Chair Ballard and others raised statutory requirement for an independent professional analysis paid for by the TDC to show positive impact on tourist-related businesses.
•Gayson explained IMEX is a b2b event targeting meeting planners and recommended a $50,000 initial investment.
•Herb Rayborn described 92 outfalls where tide valves would be beneficial, five-year timeline and $689,000 estimated total cost.
•Key KPIs reported: 962,500 total visitors; 551,400 paid visitors; 732,200 room nights; direct spending cited verbally as just under $6.87 million; occupancy 70.1%; median stay 5.8 nights; visitor satisfaction 98%.
•Knight described platform-level gains (10% audience growth; +12,000 followers) and a 131% rise in Facebook video views after shifting to video content.
•Mayor Jean Brown cautioned on maintenance (barnacles) and limits of valve performance; urged realistic expectations.
•Members said the convention center expansion and county investment justify continued promotion to secure bookings.
•Methodology: April 1–June 30 data collection with 1,203 in-person surveys and a 95% confidence interval with ±2.83% sampling error.
•She flagged partnerships with creators and a UK tour operator as cost-effective amplifiers of content.
Decisions
•Motion to defer to Oct. 12 passed unanimously; no funding approved.
•Report received; no action taken.
•TDC voted unanimously to recommend $50,000 to the county commission.
•Update received; no board action required.
Directions
•City of Holmes Beach to provide project documents and cost-share details for review.
•Staff to forward recommendation to Board of County Commissioners for funding consideration; if approved, perform budget amendment and track ROI.
•Staff to obtain county-attorney memorandum and clarify independent-analysis requirement; return item Oct. 12.
Manatee County Planning Commission convened Aug. 13, 2026 to consider rezonings, a BayCare freestanding emergency department, a large Crosswind Point amendment (including a proposed cell tower), and county-initiated land‑development text amendments on lot‑size exemptions and parking rules; commissioners approved several rezonings, denied the Crosswind Point amendment and tabled the parking overhaul pending state-level uncertainty.
Discussion Points
•Applicant presented program model and neighborhood workshop outcomes; commissioners asked about FDOT access, stormwater and evacuation.
•Applicant proposed a 190‑ft monopole to fill capacity gaps; RF engineers said proprietary CPNI data cannot be disclosed to the public.
•Commissioners asked about consistency with City of Bradenton, building separations and administrative procedures; staff agreed to refine the package.
•Commissioners expressed concern about Lena Road geometry and emergency access; staff affirmed FSP requirements for stormwater and access.
•Fire Marshal warned that reduced parking risks blocked access, hydrants, narrower corridors and compromised emergency response; commissioners questioned enforcement capacity and SB 180 implications.
•Public commenters raised questions about dismissal procedures, hurricane evacuation timing and traffic on US‑19.
•Site design includes two access points and stormwater tie‑ins to existing ponds; buffer reduction requested to maintain existing planting (18 ft vs 20 ft standard).
•Staff noted missing FDOT affidavit of ownership and zoning disclosure for an FDOT parcel that applicant wanted to incorporate into stormwater ponds.
•Staff proposed a limited pilot with a sunset date and explicit exclusions (agricultural, planned developments, flood‑prone, septic).
•Staff proposed market‑driven parking using ITE averages, transit and affordable‑housing reductions, and modest allowances for increased parking with landscaping requirements.
Decisions
•Deny ordinance amendment and associated PSP changes (commission vote).
•Recommend approval of PDR rezoning and preliminary site plan (6–0).
•Recommend approval to board (6–0) with FSP conditions
•Recommend forwarding the amendment with suggested changes (vote 5–1).
•Table LDCT‑2603 (parking) pending state law resolution and staff revisions (6–0).
Directions
•Applicant to provide final engineering, FDOT access permit and stormwater calculations at final site plan.
•Item denied by commission; applicant may revise and resubmit with FDOT documentation and more community outreach.
•Require evacuation plan at final site plan; require FDOT access and drainage permits as part of FSP submittal.
•Staff to add administrative application materials and clarify city consistency, then forward to the Board.
•Staff to verify Atlas‑14 compliance for commercial portion at FSP.
•Table the text amendment until SB 180 is resolved; staff to refine language to include fire‑safety checks, enforcement procedures and clearer eligibility criteria.
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners failed to reach a quorum; the chair announced that multiple land-use and planning items were continued or re-advertised, and one quasi-judicial application was withdrawn.
Discussion Points
•Applicant announced withdrawal of PDC18-14 (Life Storage and Hotel at Bradenton).
•County-initiated comprehensive plan text amendment PA25-13 / ordinance 2601 was continued and will be re-advertised.
•Item 13 authorizes execution of an assignment and assumption of promissory note, mortgage, and land use restriction agreement to facilitate re-recording.
•Meeting opened and items read into the record despite lack of quorum.
•No public comment was offered on the continuance.
•Ordinance 26-34 to establish the West Manatee CDD was continued to 09/03/2026.
•Planners noted contingencies for continued items.
Decisions
•Application withdrawn; no hearing today.
•Continued to 09/03/2026 at 9 a.m.
•Continued with no date set; to be re-advertised.
•Item 13 deferred to 08/25/2006.
•Multiple items continued or re-advertised; no formal actions taken.
Manatee County commissioners held a July 30, 2026 budget session to review the FY27 proposed budgets for the Sheriff and Property Appraiser, discuss the countywide FY27 budget and CIP changes, debate reserve policy (20% stabilization), and adopt a tentative millage certification by motion and voice vote.
Discussion Points
•CFO presented sheriff's request and funding breakdowns
•Commissioner requests for public explanations of safeguards
•Commissioners noted capital projects previously approved lacked operating staff
•Commissioners requested proposed budget book and line-item detail
•County portion ~$8.5M; support costs ~$301,267
•Departments identified $15.2M in efficiencies; 48 vacancies frozen totaling $5.3M
•Extent of budgeted Flock/LPR annual service charges
•How LPR data is retained, audited and accessed
•Potential to reallocate reserves to resurfacing and other needs
•Property Appraiser proposed budget: $8.8M; increase driven by valuations
•Proposed net budget $1.4B; gross ~$2.697B; CIP $2.4B with 698 projects
•Questions raised about traffic staffing and vendor (Flock) safeguards
•Requests for line-item breakdown of special revenues (~$19.7M)
•Whether 20% reserve target mixes discretionary and restricted funds
Directions
•Sheriff to provide exact annual Flock service charges and staff to publish safeguards in the proposed budget book
•Staff to provide a two-slide separation (discretionary vs. restricted), line-item detail and consult bond counsel for credit-impact analysis
•Staff to publish detailed proposed budget book by end of August
•Staff to publish proposed budget book by end of August and provide line-item breakdowns for special-revenue reserves
•Staff to publish proposed budget book by end of August and provide line-item detail on requested positions and outside services
