Clague Completes Final Meeting as County Attorney

BRADENTON — In December, Manatee County Attorney Bill Clague announced that he would soon be parting ways with the county, following months of rumors that he would be stepping down. It was announced during Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting that it would be Clague's last.

Near the end of the meeting, Manatee County Commission Chair Mike Rahn referenced Clague's impending departure ahead of the CAO portion of the agenda.

"Being as this is your last meeting, I'd like to say, thank you very much for all that you've done for Manatee County in your years of service," said Rahn. "It's been a pleasure of mine to work with you as a county attorney. You've kept me out of trouble—most of the time—and I appreciate it," laughed Rahn. "So, I just want to say that when you're in the Bahamas, try not to be thinking of us."

"I'll try not to," joked Clague. "Thank all of you, and also, my wife and I have raised our sons here, and we've had a good life here, and I attribute that to working with this board and working in the county over the years and with other boards and all of the people I've had the honor and privilege to serve in my various roles. So, thank you for that, sir.

"We've been through quite a lot in three years, and you were always a good wingman," said Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge after thanking Clague for his service.

"We had an interesting three years, no doubt about it," said Clague.

Clague was a deputy county attorney when longtime CAO Mitchell "Mickey" Palmer stepped down in January of 2021. The board unanimously voted for him to be Palmer's successor. Manatee County commissioners, who hire only the county administrator and attorney, have not had any public discussions regarding who will succeed Clague in the role.