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 August 5, 2025.
Invocation Pastor Andrew Heisler, First Baptist Church of Bradenton
Pledge of Allegiance Dr. Corey Stutte, Deputy County Administrator and Navy Reserve Veteran
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - August 1, August 4
Awards/Presentations/
Awards
Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for August 2025 to Charles Catob, IT Specialist, Information Technology
Charles has been a member of the IT team for 10 years and maintains the county’s network. He is an Army reservist and will soon retire. He is a single father and Cub Scout leader and described as “someone you would want on whatever project you are working on.”
Proclamations
National Health Center Week
August 3-9, 2025, is National Health Center week. Manatee County Rural (MCR) Health is a not-for-profit health system serving medically under-served communities throughout Florida and the only community health center in Manatee County. Former County Commissioner Reggie Bellamy and Dr. Melvin B. Price, President and CEO of MCR Health, accepted the award and thanked the Commissioners for recognizing the role MCR Health plays in the County.
Overdose Awareness Month
To recognize the National Day of Overdose Awareness on August 31 and to emphasize the importance of the county’s efforts through the Manatee County Overdose Prevention & Education Program, August is designated as Overdose Awareness Month. Receiving the proclamation was Steve Toms, Manatee County Community Health Educator, who emphasized their three-pronged approach: naloxone distribution, education, and peer support.
Women's Equality Day
August 26 commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. Commissioner Felts noted the important role of women in Manatee County history, particularly the first woman to register to vote following the passage of the amendment who was the daughter of the Supervisor of Elections of Manatee County. Receiving the proclamation was Ruth Harenchar, President of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, accompanied by Michelle Bencini, Community Navigator from the Women’s Resource Center. The two organizations are co-sponsoring educational events to commemorate Women’s Equality Day.
Consent Agenda
Approved 7-0
Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
None
REGULAR
Convention and Visitors Bureau
Item 28. Appointment of Four Hoteliers to the Tourist Development Council - Elliott Falcione, BACVB Executive Director
Tourist Development Council members must be people who are owners and/or operators of hotels, motels, or other short-term rental accommodations and are subject to the 6% resort tax. The people reappointed for a 4-year term are Eric Cairns, Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages; Anthony DeRusso, Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa; Jiten Patel, VINAYAK Properties, LLC; and Rahul Patel, Red Roof Inn Ellenton.
Approved 7-0.
Government Relations
On June 20, Manatee County approved the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Action Plan, which was submitted to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for review and approval.
On July 17, HUD approved the submitted Action Plan in the amount of $250,184,000 for Execution. Once the grant agreement is executed, Manatee County can begin the implementation period of the Lasting Manatee Program which assists in rebuilding disaster impacted areas and provide grants to help low and moderate income areas mitigate against damage from future storms.
Approved 7-0.
Item 31. Presentation and Acceptance of the Manatee County Vulnerability Assessment - Sherri Swanson, Ecological & Marine Resources Division Manager, and Annette Cottrell, Grant Supervisor Post-Award
Sherri Swanson presented an extensive report on Manatee County’s vulnerability to storm damage. Per state statute, Manatee County collected the required baseline data including critical and regionally significant asset inventory, topographic data, and flood scenario-related data. The evaluation includes sea level rise, high tide flooding, storm surge, and rainfall.
Approved 7-0.
Commissioner Agenda Items
Items for Discussion
Item 32. Manatee County Juvenile Curfew Ordinance
Commissioner McCann presented a draft juvenile curfew ordinance for review by multiple county agencies such as the Manatee Sheriff’s Office, so they could have input into the wording of the ordinance when presented for final vote.
Public Comment:
Approved 6-1. Kruse opposed.
Item 33. FAC Policy Proposal Submission by Pasco County – SB 180 Fix
The motion was to authorize the county Government Relations Department to work with Pasco County's Government Relations team to communicate the Board's direction, to seek support, and join Pasco County to submit a policy proposal for a legislative fix to SB 180 for the upcoming Florida Association of Counties Legislative Policy Conference on September 2.
SB180 prevents revision of the county's wetlands policy back to the comprehensive plan 2023 which had significantly larger wetland buffer zones.
Approved 7-0.
Presentation of Capstone Projects by selected 2025 Summer Interns - Kate Barnett, Human Resources Director.
Six summer interns presented their projects. Each project was created with guidance from the assigned Department’s Mentor. Presenters and Projects were:
Commissioner Comments
Rahn asked to add a non-agenda item to today’s agenda. He and Kruse are not going to be able to attend the August 7th meeting which includes a discussion about a proposed roundabout at University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard. He requested that the item be added to the current agenda. The motion required a super majority to modify today’s agenda. Motion failed 4-3. Bearden, Felts, McCann opposed. Motion required 5 votes to pass.
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The student projects are always inspirational. It would have been helpful to have their PowerPoint presentation links attached to the agenda.
The League of Women Voters thanks Commissioner Carol Felts and the Board of County Commissioners for their positive reception of the Women’s Equality Day proclamation and appreciates the audience’s applause.
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