MANATEE — A recent investigative report by 10 Tampa Bay found that Manatee County redirected $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding that had been earmarked for sewer infrastructure improvements in the Tallevast community. The funds were reassigned to cover county payroll expenses and to support the “Light Up Manatee” streetlight initiative.
Founded in the late 1800s by freed slaves and migrant workers, Tallevast is a close-knit community located in Manatee County’s District 4.
The community has long faced environmental concerns stemming from soil and groundwater contamination at a former industrial site operated by American Beryllium Company, which was later sold to Lockheed Martin in 1996.
Lockheed Martin reported the contamination to the state in 2000, but Tallevast residents claim no one immediately informed them.
The confirmed contamination of the area’s soil and groundwater led to extensive state and federal remediation efforts that are expected to continue for many years. Residents and advocates have consistently pointed to the community’s need for basic infrastructure improvements, including sewer service, as critical to protecting public health.
Speaking to 10 Tampa Bay, Manatee County District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn, who represents the Tallevast area, explained that the previously promised $5 million allocation would not have been sufficient to complete a sewer lift station, so the funding was redirected from the Tallevast project.
“At some point, they had been promised whatever. There is no way you’re building a lift station for $5 million,” Rahn told 10 Tampa Bay during their investigation.
“We took part of that $5 million…and we assigned it to what’s called ‘Light Up Manatee.’ It's a program that I brought to Manatee County. Manatee County was 90% dark without streetlights,” he said.
According to the report, the county also spent some of the allocated funds on employee salaries, something a county spokesperson told 10 Tampa Bay was allowable use under US Treasury Guidelines.
Tallevast residents interviewed by the news channel say they will continue to push the county to fulfill its decades-long promise to provide necessary sewer and water service upgrades to support the safety and recovery of their community.
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kmskepton
Color me shocked - a community of color was given the shaft . And their own commissioner is totally fine with sending the money elsewhere? His excuse is pathetic. Even if that money would not have funded a lift station, they could’ve done something else helpful in Tallevast. Appalling.
Saturday, December 20, 2025 Report this
GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
Let’s keep marginalized community marginalized. What should have been done was to find the funds to complete the lift station and not start a new project. We hear so often from the board that we can’t stop that because we have an agreement in place and we MUST HONOR IT. Not so with working poor communities. As I frequently attend church in Tallevast they have been on the back burner for county projects for decades.
Somebody from the county thought it could be built for 5 million and the staff have set those funds aside. Now suddenly it can’t be done for that price. The Commissioner for that district should have been aware of this project 3 years ago when he came into office and kept the project moving forward. He did not.
Saturday, December 20, 2025 Report this
RRICH69176
Another dodge be Rahn....5 million was not enough? Why not provide a number for the completion of the job and FIND the money--and NOT use any money to pay employees--which should have been in the budget. Why was there a shortfall of funds to pay employees? Has Rahn communicated with his community? Remember an election is coming.
Sunday, December 21, 2025 Report this
san.gander
Since theses funds were directed Federal Funds - did our County Commissioners do something illegal by redirecting them? Just asking?
Sunday, December 21, 2025 Report this
rayfusco68
"Manatee County had a significant surplus, with one 2024 report showing $459.8 Million in Surplus/Property Taxes, and also a large Unrestricted Cash balance of $965.6 Million, far exceeding the state's 30% expense rule, indicating substantial reserves. However, more recently, Florida's CFO noted over $112 Million in "excessive/wasteful spending" and budget growth exceeding population, highlighting a focus on fiscal scrutiny despite large reserves."
But they couldn't find the funds to add to the 5 million dollars they already had to construct the lift station, that would alleviate a major health issue for the community. Yet, they spent 9.5 million dollars to put a lift station in Cortez.
Sunday, December 21, 2025 Report this
rndvictim
There is a corrupt element operating in downtown Bradenton. This element is composed of bartenders, restaurant staff, government emplyees, and legal and medical professionals. Driven by extreme narcissism, they routinely, as part of their daily lives, fleece people they decide don't deserve the protection of constitional rights, for their own benefit. My former classmates are part of this organized crime ring, and county funds and assets are being used to victimize people. This is due to a concentration of power structures and information sharing in the cell phone age. To them, its a just a game, and you are just the mark, and the police look the other way.
Perhaps some day, someone who cares, will remove the blinders, and clean up the mess.
Monday, December 22, 2025 Report this
ruthlawler
A little historical context...In the early 1960s, a family moved from Cleveland, Ohio as the husband was hired to an executive position with American Beryllium in Tallavast. They purchased a home in the Whitfield area in south Manatee County, with their five children. The wife became quite active in both the local Catholic Church, Queen of Martyrs, and later in local community issues and then politics. as the husband continued his position with American Beryllium. Our family lived nearby and attended the same church, so we got to know the family well. The Executive with American Beryllium was Henry Glass and his wife was Patreicia Glass. Manatee County has much to be thankful for with the dedication of Pat Glass and the impressive positive effect she had on our County, and honored her amazing legacy by naming the Manatee County Commission Chambers after her. Wouldn't you think that the American Beryllium legacy could be addressed by our County Commissioners for the incredible toxic contamination and high incidence of cancer in the Tallevast community decades later? The hypocricy is incredible. Ruth Lawler
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 Report this