In Feb. 2023, Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angel Colonneso sought the legal opinion of an independent outside law firm who examined Van Ostenbridge’s purchases and analyzed the …

In November 2022, the Manatee County Commission gained three newly elected commissioners. Since then, the board has taken many votes of significant public interest and/or directed important actions. The organization has also experienced instability in its county administration and leadership over the last several months. Some of the commissioners who are currently serving—elected in either 2020 or 2022—acknowledged the importance of public access and participation in local government decisions, and campaigned on promises of transparency in government.