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 to, or lack of adherence to, good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 2/10/2026.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
Invocation – Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel
Pledge of Allegiance Diane Condon, a real estate professional
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - February 3, February 4, February 5, and February 9, 2026,
Awards/Presentations/
Awards
Florida Fire Chiefs Association Award Presentations
West Manatee Fire and Rescue presented awards from the Florida Fire Chiefs Association to three of their firemen: Josh Atkins, Fire Inspector of the Year; Rodney Pawlowski, Fire Marshall of the Year; and Deputy Chief Jay Johnson, Executive of the Year.
Presentation of the Heroism Award - Posthumously
Nicole Knapp, Director of Development Services, and her team presented the award to the widow of Brian McAllister, Building Inspector, who died unexpectedly recently. Just 18 days before his death, he witnessed an elderly man who crashed into a pole due to a medical emergency and immediately came to his aid, and after EMS was on the scene, he directed traffic around the incident.
Presentations
Presentation of the February 2026 Team Member of the Month
Charlie Hunsicker and his Natural Resources team presented the award to Park Ranger Clayton McCurry, who is an inspiration to his team. He is hard working yet always upbeat, making changes to conserve and restore the habitat at Duette Preserve. His acceptance remarks emphasized his love of the natural environment and his dedication to his job, which he said, “doesn’t feel like work.”
Proclamations
44th Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Days
Former county commissioner Jane Von Hahmann described the festival, running February 14-15, as a “party with a purpose.” The Boat to Market event raises funds for the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) to maintain the Cortez preserve and celebrate 160 years of fishing in Manatee County.
Florida Cracker Trail Ride Week
Robert Wilk, trail boss of the ride, read and received the proclamation highlighting the annual cross-state ride for the week of February 14-21. The ride starts at the historical Bradenton village and highlights Florida’s role in the introduction of horses and cattle into the New World and the continuance of the cattle and horse industries. The early riders used whips, which made a distinct cracking sound, which led to the name Florida Cracker.
Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team (LWR CERT) Day
February 7 was designated as a day to acknowledge the ongoing role of the trained LWR CERT emergency response team made up now of 500 citizen volunteers in 15 teams. It was noted that the LWR CERT was on the ground assisting during the 2024 storms.
Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)
Items 26 and 29 were pulled by Commissioner McCann.
Items 9,12,13, and 28 pulled by Commissioner Felts.
Citizen Comments (Consent Agenda Items Only)
Ed took issue with the approval of Item 17, the purchase of a jet vacuum sewer cleaner, stating that the cost also includes a maintenance contract, which will be more than $1 million. He questioned the need for the county to spend the money.
Consent Agenda
Approved minus the items pulled 7-0.
Select Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
Heidi said that the Myakka River Management Coordinating Council has requested protection for the river, which has been “ignored” by the Board. Recent golf courses approved for the area have led to the disappearance of the floodplains at the river’s head.
Kathy, Susan, and Linda are all volunteers at the Palmetto animal shelter and voiced their objections to the plans for the Bishop shelter, calling them an “utter failure”, a safety risk to dogs and volunteers, and not designed for the long term.
Former Commissioner Von Hahmann, on behalf of FISH, expressed concerns about the proposed cruise ship port near one of the environmentally sensitive areas in Terra Ceia, citing the threat it would pose to valuable fish nursery grounds.
Ed asked that the county consider a policy to create a threshold for 1500 hours of use for a purchase of equipment to save taxpayer dollars.
Commissioner’s comments
On the proposed cruise ship port, Siddique emphasized that there is a standard process which requires an application and public hearings. More information will be available as the process moves forward. On protection for the Myakka River, he said only the federal government can give the designation of “wild and scenic” river and watershed management is the responsibility of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Commissioner Kruse stated that the state is “preempting everything” right now. As much as he agrees that we need to protect the Myakka River, the county’s hands are tied. Commissioners Felts and Ballard agreed.
Ballard defended efforts made by the county to reduce “woke ideology”, which has included the elimination of a DEI position, removal of what she considered “pro-trans” training, implementation of the Parents’ Choice library cards, and ongoing efforts to make sure that tax dollars used for grants are not going to people here illegally.
Items Removed from the Consent Agenda
Item 9. Changes to Insured Equipment Covered by Aircraft Liability Insurance for Manatee County-owned Unmanned Aircraft/Drones and Payload/Cameras
County Administrator Charlie Bishop explained that Chinese-made drones owned by the county were removed from service (due to a Florida statute passed in 2023) and that the insurance covered 16 unmanned and 5 payload drones.
Property Management came forward to explain that the county uses drones for pre- and post-storm imagery, property management, public works, and other activities. Before the purchase of the drones, all the work had to be outsourced and was time-consuming and more costly.
Approved 7-0.
Item 12. Execution of Interlocal Agreement with the City of Anna Maria for the City of Anna Maria Pier Repair/Rebuild Project, Elliott Falcione, Convention and Visitors Bureau Director – District 3
Falcione said that the Tourist Development Council (TDC) approved recommending the agreement to the Board on June 16. The partnership between the City of Anna Maria, FEMA, and the state will work to secure funding to complete the repair and rebuilding of the Anna Maria Island pier, which was destroyed in 2024. The county’s portion won’t exceed $2 million and 100% will come from tourism tax proceeds. He described the pier as an iconic draw for tourists, which benefits business and residents.
Felts asked if the pier will be used as a landing again for ferry service. Falcione’s said that eventually there would be a stop near the former one, along with others on the island. Ballard expressed concern that there may not be a landing for the ferry.
Citizen Comments
Mark Short, Mayor, City of Anna Maria, said that he supports the agreement, saying that they will continue to work with the TDC to identify landings on the island for the ferry. He stated that the Army Corps of Engineers said that the reconstruction of the Pier needed to conform to the original footprint and couldn’t be used for the ferry. He expects the pier to reopen this year.
Ballard, who is chair of the TDC, remained concerned that the ferry may not be able to use the pier. In that case, the county will have to spend additional funds. She said the TDC didn’t have all the information in June when they voted to support the agreement.
Approved 6-1. Ballard opposed.
Item 13. Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-043; and Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-051 for Infrastructure Sales Tax, Claudia Campos, Interim Chief Financial Officer - Countywide
Claudia corrected the motion for Item 13 to strike the resolution B-26-051.
Approved 7-0.
Item 26. Execution of Recipient/Subrecipient Grant Agreement 25014, Charlie Hunsicker, Director Natural Resources; and Annette Cottrell, Grant Supervisor - District 3
Approved 7-0.
Item 28. Adoption of Resolution R-26-016, authorizing the execution of the Landscape Maintenance and Installation Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for improvements to State Road 64, Carmine Demilio, Deputy Director - District 3
Carmine Demilio explained that the county would take over from DOT the medians on Rt. 64 adjacent to Perico Bay Boulevard. The County has a maintenance agreement with FDOT for the Manatee Avenue medians (5) and the Palma Sola Causeway (4). Because county staff are already there, the only cost associated is for the $2,000 purchase of upgraded plant materials to replace the current ones.
Approved 7-0.
Item 29. Adoption of Resolution R-26-020, authorizing Implementation of the Lead Service Line Inventory Project, Execution and Delivery of Florida State Revolving Fund Loan Application related to the Project, and Pledging Utilities Revenues to the Project, Patrick Shea, Utilities Director - Countywide
McCann asked why it was on the consent agenda since the project cost is $673,000. Patrick Shea said that the amount is the cost to comply with EPA requirements for the Department of Environmental Protection.
Approved 7-0.
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS - LEGISLATIVE
Item 31. Adoption of Resolution R-26-003, vacating a portion of a Right-of-Way located lying between Tract 15 and Tract 18, Section 35, in the Pomello Park Subdivision located in Myakka City, Florida, 34251, Eva Mejia, Senior Real Property Specialist - District 1
Approved 6-0 Felts absent.
Item 32. Adoption of Resolution R-26-018, approval of changes to the Infrastructure Sales Tax Project and Equipment List to add and remove one (1) project in the Parks and Community Facilities Category, remove one (1) project in the Public Safety and Law Enforcement Category, and remove one (1) project and amend one (1) project name, scope and rationale in the Public Safety and Law Enforcement Category; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-051, Claudia Campos, Interim Chief Financial Officer - Multi District
Approved 7-0.
REGULAR
Utilities
Item 33. Update on the Solid Waste Collection Program, Patrick Shea, Utilities Director - Countywide
In response to the board ‘s request for development of possible improvement on waste collection, staff reached out to solid waste haulers and developed options for enhancements to our current solid waste collection. Shea gave a very detailed PowerPoint overview on the history of the changes in collections, what’s working, some collection options, monthly zoned bulk collection and sought the Board’s direction.
Siddique condensed the conversation conclusions: to keep once a week pick up with the new bins, bring in zoned monthly two-item bulk pickups, and consider one annual call in pickup.
Motion to direct staff to bring back a rate for monthly curbside bulk pickup for up to two items as well as for one annual on-call bulk pickup for all customers.
Approved 7-0.
REPORTS
Public Works
Item 34 On Call Report Process, Chad Butzow, Public Works Director - Countywide
Butzow stated that dialing 311 is the method to report problems, such as recent dust storms. They still have an answering service after hours. For contact by phone, it is (941) 748-4501. Staff is updating their scripts to include dust issues.
Felts noted the safety issues and origins of multiple dust storms from the construction of developments. Butzow noted it is routine to issue a citation and to give a police officer a warning when public safety is involved. Sheriff non-emergency line would be more appropriate for public safety issues.
Siddique stated there must be some change to 311 workflows because a case gets closed when a staff member responds, instead of when the issue is resolved. Butzow will investigate this.
COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS
Item 35. Adjustments to Board Rules – Public Hearings D’Agostino
The amount of time for public hearings only (legislative and quasi-judicial), not regular board meetings, has become quite long, and many who come to speak can wait significant time periods to be able to speak or present. In January 2025, the Board of County Commissioners amended the Board Rules of Procedure to establish a uniform five-minute speaking time for members of the public at all public hearings, both quasi-judicial and legislative. The proposal by Siddique would change the allotted times by type of speaker.
Public Comment
Marty, Elizabeth, Cynthia, Mark, Don, and Glen spoke in favor of keeping the current citizen comment procedures. Don stated that the public has already questioned why developers get more time. Marty and Glen contended that it is part of the commissioner’s job to stay late to hear citizens’ comments on contentious issues.
After much discussion on the Chair’s proposed motion to adopt amendments to Board Rules of procedures there was a failure to get a second and the motion was withdrawn.
Item 36 Juneteenth 2026 Sponsorship
Ballard motioned to allocate $5,000 from discretionary funds for sponsorship of the 2026 Juneteenth Celebration to the Rosalyn Wilson Education Foundation. This community Juneteenth Celebration features music, a farmers’ market, and food. It is held at the 13th Ave. Dream Center in Bradenton.
Approved 7-0.
Item 37. Manatee County Grant Funding Eligibility Requirements for Mental Health and Treatment Facilities
Ballard previously proposed a motion to restrict use of public funds to licensed or certified mental health and substance abuse treatment residential facilities. She has learned that Manatee County has only one certified facility, making this proposal impractical. Manatee County doesn’t have any guidelines for these facilities, and locally, there have been a few instances of problems with unlicensed facilities. The State regulates rehab centers and voluntary certification of recovery homes.
With input from James Crutchfield, Deputy Director of Public Safety, Ballard moved to amend her motion to: I move to direct staff do an assessment of all agreements we have with residential treatment centers, recovery homes and residential mental health treatment facilities, and authorize staff to work with the county attorney to see what if anything can be added to our agreements to move toward encouraging certification or oversight.
Approved 7-0.
Citizen Comments (Continuation of Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
Don and Mark were concerned about many environmental issues: the drought, future water demands, habitat destruction and over-development.
GOVERNANCE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The PowerPoint presentation for Item 33, was not linked to the agenda. It had very detailed information on an issue that is of great interest to citizens: waste collection.
We commend Chair Siddique for keeping commissioners on point.
We are encouraged by the level of citizens' involvement. Many are coming forward, in person or by phone, with informed comments.
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