LWV Manatee Count Commission Notes: 9/2/25

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the key points from the board’s regular meeting on September 2, 2025. 

Link to the Agenda and Video

Note: Ballard attended the meeting remotely.

Invocation Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel

Pledge of Allegiance Commissioner McCann

Announcements

Updates to Agenda – August 27, August 29

Awards/Presentations/Proclamations

Awards

Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for September 2025 

Duncan McNaughton, Senior Building Trades Worker in Property Management, has been on the job for many years but doesn’t plan to retire. Though responsible for day-to-day management, he has often taken on tasks on weekends and outside of the normal scope of his job. He is described as having a “deep commitment to public services and safety.”

Proclamations

National Preparedness Month   

Commissioner Felts read the proclamation and said staff have been working diligently to prepare for hurricane season. She urged citizens to do likewise, as September is often the worst month for hurricanes. Jody Fiske, Director of Public Safety, accepted the proclamation.

Tribute to Heroes' Day   

Commissioner Bearden presented the proclamation and stated that 9/11/01 is a day when many first responders proved themselves to be heroes. The proclamation also recognizes all Manatee County first responders, current and retired. North River Fire Chief Joe Sicking accepted the proclamation.  

Usher Syndrome Awareness Day   

Usher Syndrome is a genetic disease that is the leading cause of deafness and blindness in children affecting, more than 1,000 children in Florida. Brittany, mother of a child with the disease, and her child accepted the award. September 3 is designated as a day to raise awareness about the disease.  

Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)

Items #10 and 15 were pulled by Commissioner McCann.

Consent Agenda

Approved 7-0.

Select Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)

• Pat said her comments were a class on Disability Education 101 about ableism: people who don’t live with disabilities don’t treat people with disabilities appropriately.  
• Dalton, Kendra, Matt, and Anthony were concerned about wetland protection and continued flooding. 
• Glen criticized DeSantis, then read a suggested renaming of DeSantis Park for any local deceased military hero veteran.

Items Removed from The Consent Agenda

Item #10. Approval for the Addition of One Grant-Funded Senior Fiscal Analyst Position in Financial Management, Sheila McLean, Chief Financial Officer

Commissioner McCann questioned why the new position was needed and how much it would cost ($110,000, including benefits). McLean explained that reorganization and a staff promotion resulted in one staff person being assigned to do two jobs.

Approved 6-0. Commissioner Ballard did not vote.

Item #15. Execution of Agreement No. 25-R087290SB Recycling Processing Services, Chris Collins, Utilities Deputy Director.

This agenda item was for the approval of the new contract for recycling processing services, but the discussion centered on changes to the schedule, bin size, and new fees for trash services.

• McCann stated he and his wife weren’t clear on the changes, so other citizens must be confused as well.
• Staff said they are focused on communicating the changes and using every channel they can think of, including social media, ads, radio announcements, and contracting four reporters to test the new bins and pick up schedule, among other measures.
• Felts stated that the test run in part of her district was a good idea. Unfortunately, the vendor’s workers did not perform their duties effectively. Staff acknowledged the failure and said they had spoken with the vendor, and there are numerous penalties in the contract if the vendor fails to perform.

Public comment

• Three citizens made comments about the change in trash services, not the recycling contract.
• John from the recycling vendor said they were pleased to be working with Manatee County.

Approved 7-0.

Advertised Public Hearings - Legislative

Item 32. Adoption of Ordinance 25-28, amending Chapter 2-16 of the Manatee Code regarding Solid Waste and Recyclable Materials - Chris Collins, Deputy Director of Utilities

Approved 7-0.

Item 33. Adoption of Ordinance 25-32, regulating Engine Compression Release Braking on Rangeland Parkway from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to Bourneside Boulevard and Uihlein Road from SR 64 to SR 70 - Clarke Davis, Deputy Director - District 5

Approved 7-0.

Item 34. Adoption of Resolution R-25-148, amending and restating rates, fees, and charges for Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Services based on the 2025 Amendments to the Franchise Agreements, establishing revised Special Fees and Charges, and establishing restating Security Deposits - Chris Collins, Deputy Director of Utilities 

Felts asked what happens if the vendor misses the weekly pickup. Staff responded that there are cameras on the trucks, so when a resident calls 311 to report a missed pickup, staff can verify via the cameras whether the failure was due to the vendor or if the resident did not remove the bin in time. If it is a vendor error, the truck would be sent back to make the pickup, and the vendor would be fined for the error.

Citizen comment:

Ida questioned the new garbage service and bigger bins: how is cutting service in half not a price increase?  

Approved 7-0.

Item 35. Adoption of Resolution R-25-149, amending and restating the rates, fees, and charges for Solid Waste Disposal Services furnished or to be furnished by Manatee County and revising the Landfill Tipping Fees and Charges - Chris Collins, Deputy Director of Utilities

Approved 7-0.

Item 36. Adoption of Resolution R-25-163, approval of changes to the Infrastructure Sales Tax Project and Equipment List to add six projects in the Transportation Category – Major Road Improvements Subcategory and one project in the Transportation Category – Intersection Improvements Subcategory, and Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-114 - Shelia McLean, Chief Financial Officer   

Approved 7-0.

REGULAR

Attorney

Item 37. Participation in Lawsuit Challenging Florida Senate Bill 180, Chapter 2025-190, Laws of Florida - Pamela D’Agostino, County Attorney

County Attorney D’Agostino conferred with the attorney filing the lawsuit and was prepared to accept the decision of the Board to join the lawsuit. She stated that there is no conflict of interest for the commissioners at this time.  

Commissioners Siddique, McCann, Felts, and Bearden all spoke in favor of joining the lawsuit. Ballard said she would vote in favor but pointed out that the cost will be much more than the $10,000 fee to join the suit. Rahn did not want to join the suit now. He said it will take 3-4 years for a final decision, and Manatee County could join later. He also pointed out that the lawsuit has not yet been filed.

Public Comment

Fourteen people spoke in favor of joining the lawsuit, including Rusty Chinnis, Chairman of the Suncoast Waterkeeper Board.

The County Attorney clarified:

• She has drawn up the contract with the attorney who will be filing the lawsuit.
• The motion needed to be amended to authorize her to execute the contract by the Close of Business on September 2.
• She has drawn up a Conflict of Interest form, should one be necessary as the suit progresses.

An amendment to modify the published motion was approved 7-0.

Commissioner Rahn posed the following questions to the County Attorney: 

• Does joining this lawsuit prevent commissioners from talking to our legislative delegation members? Attorney Response: “No.” Joining the lawsuit does not prevent Commissioners from speaking with the delegation; however, she advised against speaking with the attorneys representing the State of Florida.
• If the Legislature adopts a “policy” change to SB 180, what would happen to the lawsuit? Attorney Response: This is a hypothetical question that cannot be answered until the change is reviewed.

Amended motion approved 6-1. Commissioner Rahn opposed.

Government Relations

Item 38. Government Efficiency Liaison Committee first meeting update - Brent Anderson, Government Relations Manager   

The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee (GELC) held its first meeting on August 26, 2025, with Mark Stanoch being elected Chair. Mr. Stanoch gave a brief presentation of the items discussed at the meeting, including an overview and defining the scope and mission of the Committee and ensuring that it is aligned with the Executive Office of the Governor DOGE Team.

Many items of future interest were posited, such as the tourist tax, information technology, grants, and finding areas of redundancy between the county and school board. GELC members will reach out to Hernando County, which has a similar committee, and encourage community engagement. Click here to submit ideas of topics you would like the GELC to review or consider in their meetings.

Property Management

Item 40. Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Addendum No. 1 to Agreement No. 25-TA006060RB for Construction of Washington Park Community Center and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-118 - David Arbelaez Montoya, Project Manager, and Michelle Wehrle, Construction Services Division Manager   

Michelle Wehrle said that there are two items as part of this GMP Amendment. Phase 1, the construction of the trails, pavilions, playfield, and restrooms, which are 60% complete. Unforeseen issues were discovered during the construction process, including unsuitable soils and environmental concerns. The project team achieved cost savings by sourcing clean soil from another county project, installing underground infrastructure within the same trench area, and converting the trial/walking path lighting from electric to solar. The opening for community use is scheduled for Spring 2026.

Phase 2 is the construction of a Community Center and is scheduled to begin September 2025 and be opened to the public by Winter 2026. This portion of the project will be fenced so that the public can utilize Phase 1 of Washington Park during the construction of Phase 2.

Motion to Approve 7-0.

Public Works

Item 41. Presentation of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget Options - Scott May, P.E., County Engineer

Scott May requested tthat he Board select one of four options so that the 2025/2026 Capital Improvements Budget could be finalized in time for the September 10, 2025, budget meeting.

• Option 1 – Project budgets by District 
• Option 2 - Fully fund Lorraine Road (District 5), which removes 27 projects from other districts. 
• Option 3 – Fully fund 63rd Avenue East utilizing Contract Management at Risk (CMAR).  
• Option 4 – Fully fund 63rd Avenue East by bidding out the project because recent bids are more competitive. This option maintains funding for other projects, including 60th Avenue (Segments 1 & 2); Carter/Sawgrass Roads and roundabouts; Harrison Ranch Boulevard/301 intersection improvements; Ellenton Gillette and Mendoza Road intersection improvements; Canal Road Segment 3; two bridge replacements in District 3; Gateway/Greenway Trails. 

Staff’s goal is to have all projects be at no risk, on budget, and on time. Discussion ensued about complicated projects requiring a different contract type and whether the projects will be funded with bonding. 

BOCC selected Option 4, approved 6-1. Commissioner McCann opposed.

Reports

Public Works

Item 42. Presentation regarding Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan - Clarke Davis, Traffic Management Deputy Director   

  •  2050 Long Range Transportation Plan

  •  Cost Feasible Projects

  •  Unfunded Needs List

Clarke Davis introduced Ryan Brown, Deputy Director of the Sarasota/Manatee MPO, who gave a thorough presentation about the MPO Plan that is available by using the above links.

Commissioner Agenda Items

Item 43. Evaluation and Consideration of Ordinance regulating Kratom and Other Designer Substances - Commissioner Ballard

Commissioner Ballard said a judge brought the issue of increased Kratom addiction (like opioid addiction) to her attention. She requested that the BOCC adopt an ordinance like the Sarasota County ordinance to regulate Kratom and other designer drugs. The judiciary and law enforcement are supportive of the County adopting such an Ordinance.

Motion to direct staff to review comparable ordinances, consult with law enforcement, prosecutors, public health, and any other relevant stakeholders. Approved 4-3. Commissioners McCann, Bearden, and Kruse opposed.

Item 45. Updating Opportunity Zones for Manatee County -Commissioner Siddique

The County currently has two Opportunity Zones, which are a federal incentive program that local governments can opt into. An Opportunity Zone is an economically depressed area where new investments may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. The program started in 2017 and was reauthorized with fewer requirements in 2025. The existing Zones will sunset in 2026. 

Commissioner Siddique wants to evaluate the existing zones, determine if they are still effective, and if not, to coordinate with the Cities of Bradenton and Palmetto, the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, Government Relations Staff, and board members to choose new opportunity zones.

Motion approved 6-1. Commissioner McCann opposed.

Item 46. Transparency and Public Notice - Commissioner McCann

Commissioner McCann said he has been guilty of making late agenda additions and proposed the motion: 

Motion to approve a rule that locks the agenda for a commission meeting at the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on the Wednesday the week before a regular BOCC meeting and at the close of business (5:00 p.m.) on the Friday the week before a Land Use meeting, except for emergency item(s).

Motion approved 7-0.

Citizen Comments (Continuation of Consideration for Future Agenda Items, if needed)

David requested that BOCC postpone the Impact Fee Ordinance for at least 90 days. 

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

The League commends the Board on a well-run meeting with appropriate decorum. The positive vote on Item 46 to increase transparency and public notice is notable.  

Technology challenges, such as the live video feed late in the meeting, need to be addressed and corrected because the challenges interfere with the ability of citizens to follow the meeting through the various public channels.  

Commissioners continue to have difficulty using their microphones consistently.

Click here for information on how to phone or email the commissioners. 

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