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 4/7/2026
Invocation – Pastor Mark Gibbens, Mill Creek Baptist Church
Pledge Of Allegiance, U.S. Marine Corps, Lance Corporal Cameron Lochner, Manatee County Senior Veterans Services Counselor
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - March 31, April 1, April 2, April 6, 2026
Awards/Presentations/
Awards
Presentation of the Award of Recognition to Dylan Rawley and the Scouts of Troop 146 for the Flag Retirement Project
Since the project’s inception, 3,781 flags have been collected and respectfully retired. Dylan Rawley, a 16-year-old Eagle Scout, thanked the Board and Manatee County Government for making the flag retirement boxes possible, for listening to a young person’s idea and making it a reality. It may encourage other young people to make a change.
Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for March 2026
Vanessa Rene, Business Systems Support Manager with the Human Resources Department is proactive, innovative, and relentlessly service-oriented, and a pleasure to work with. She developed a pharmacy program that saved the Manatee YourChoice health plan approximately $5,000,000 while reducing prescription costs for plan members.
Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for April 2026
Eric Ausborn, Project Manager in the Property Management Department, was nominated by his peers. Eric started in the cabinet shop and progressed to Project Manager, recently completing his Project Management Certificate. Eric negotiated two project contracts that saved the County $500,000. He regularly mentors colleagues, sharing his expertise and helping them to build confidence in new skills.
Proclamations
Youth of and Junior Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Club
The Junior Youth of the Year is Kiya Henry from the Palmetto Boys & Girls Club. Kiya said that when she started with the club, she was nervous. She follows the words of Maya Angelou: “Nothing will work unless you do.” She has joined the club’s basketball team, is an Honor Roll student, and wants to be an engineer.
Shalynn Johnson from the Palmetto Boys & Girls Club is Youth of the Year. She joined the Palmetto Boys & Girls Club during COVID and found comfort in art, and the club members and staff. Since joining she has worked on several murals – one dedicated to Willie Cooper a “father figure” for 40-years at the Manatee Boys & Girls Club. Shalynn is in the AICE (Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education) at Palmetto High School
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Kimberly Griffin, Supervisor of the Child Prevention Team, Manatee Children's Services, received the Proclamation and thanked the County for its commitment to preventing child abuse. The coordinated community response has led to 36.84% of children removed from their homes having now found safe, permanent homes.
Donate Life Month
The most meaningful gift someone can give is the gift of life through organ or tissue donation. Crystal Castleberry accepted the award; this year is the 20th anniversary of her gift of life to a friend.
Presentations
Bishop Parker Foundation Update - Wendy Deming
Wendy Deming, CEO of Bishop Parker Foundation, stated that the focus of the Foundation is to partner with organizations and public entities to strengthen the community. Ned and Patty Bishop and Mary Parker, individuals who cared deeply about this community, generously created the Foundation. The Foundation’s role is to bring people together, aligning efforts across systems, and as an investor, supporting work that strengthens the community. Two examples of Foundation work are North River, one of the fastest growing areas in the county, where social support services are still catching up and Manatee Food Security Network, which is focused on building a coordinated county-wide system so that people can readily access food. The Foundation works on ensuring that the systems work together and provide services to people in need.
Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)
Commissioner McCann pulled items 17, 20, 23, and 30
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved 6-0.
SELECT CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
Item 17. Acceptance of Grant Award in the amount of $350,000 from the Manatee Community Foundation (Housing Empowerment Fund) for South Kitchen Renovation at Under One Roof Gateway South, Sarah Brown, Director, Community and Veterans Services - District 2
McCann asked if Mosaic donated this money before or after the 14-year extension to their mining. CEO of the Manatee Community Foundation, Veronica Thomas, stated that Mosaic was one of many donors that contributed to the Housing Empowerment Fund for this project and other housing projects.
Approved 5-1. McCann opposed.
Item 20. Adoption of Resolution R-26-019, approving the Issuance of Revenue Bonds by the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC), in a not to exceed amount of $50,000,000, as requested by Waste Pro USA, Inc, for projects located within Manatee County. Authorizing the execution and delivery of a resolution consenting to the bond issuance in accordance with the terms of the Interlocal Agreement previously entered into by the parties in May of 1988 - Claudia Campos, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Campos assured Commissioner McCann that none of the money is from Manatee County. The County has an Interlocal Agreement with the Florida Development Finance Corporation, and WastePro is requesting use of tax-exempt financing, and the County must consent to the bond issuance.
Approved 5-0. Bearden was not available to vote.
Item 23. Execution of Long-Term Care Proposal to Agreement 24-R083613CD Operational Support Services for Piney Point Treatment Plant and Deep Injection Well; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-067, Brent Laudicina, Utilities Department Division Manager – District 1.
Patrick Shea, Manatee County Utilities Director, stated that the gypsum stack final closure is scheduled for November 2026. This Long-Term Care budget item is for the on-going monitoring of the closure and the $1,296,446.31 is to cover repairs and system improvements to stabilize operations. The receivership reimburses the County for expended funds.
Approved 6-0.
Item 30. Authorization to Apply for a Grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) for a work boat replacement, Charlie Hunsicker, Natural Resources Department Director -Countywide
Hunsicker stated that if the grant is not approved then the funding for this replacement boat (current boat is 14 years old) would be through the normal budgeting framework.
Approved 6-0.
REGULAR
Government Relations
Item 43. Execution of Services Agreement for Economic Development Activities with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation - Stephanie Garrison, Government Relations Director
Aimee Johnson, Economic Development Manager, Economic Development Division gave a brief history about the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) services agreement that was not renewed last year. The Board directed staff in January 2026 to work with the leadership of the EDC to prepare a revised agreement.
Amanda Parrish, interim CEO of the Bradenton Area EDC, discussed the three objectives that were necessary for the EDC to accomplish to regain the trust of the Board. 1. Reengage with the community; 2. Engage with BoCC and County staff; and 3. Ensure that EDC staff is operationally preparing the organization to engage with a new CEO. The objective of the EDC is to recruit and retain target sector business – high wage and skilled jobs for the community and to connect or reconnect with established industries so they continue to thrive.
The new agreement provides for quarterly documentation and discussion; annual renewal, balanced with a termination clause. The budget has been reduced from $336,900 to $292,450 - a 13% reduction.
McCann was reassured that EDC has 40 applications for the permanent CEO position, including 2 Manatee County residents.
Public Comment
Representatives from Florida Power & Light, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, CareerSource Suncoast commended the BoCC for working with the EDC, stating public/private partnerships are the key to the success of any business or organization.
Approved 6-0.
COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEM
Item 52. Align Manatee County Grantmaking with Federal Immigration Law - Commissioner Ballard
Ballard stated that the County is not implementing the federal immigration law that has been in place since 1996, but acknowledged she could not provide any evidence that non-profits are using County grant funds to provide services to undocumented people.
Commissioner Kruse said that this is Federal Law adopted by the State of Florida. The Federal government and the State of Florida are the enforcement mechanisms not the County. McCann pointed out that there is no proof that violations are happening and that he isn’t voting against the law, just Manatee County enforcing it.
Commissioner Bearden agreed with Ballard and wants to put oversight measures in place.
Public comments
Executive Director of Parenting Matters Katie Becker, John Agnelli of Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County, Board Chair of Unidos Now Kelly Kirschner, Operation Warrior Resolution Kendra Simpkins‑Wallace, President and CEO of Step-Up Suncoast Amy Yount, and Executive Director of Turning Points Kathleen Cramer opposed the motion. Their organizations receive County grants. They cited the inability to determine citizenship status, the difficulties of implementing such a requirement in various locations and during periods of crisis, harming community relationships, the potential harm to the community if vital human services are lost, and the fact that a significant proportion of their funding does not come from the County.
President of the League of Women Voters of Manatee County, Ruth Harenchar, spoke for their membership against the proposal, and CEO of Manatee Community Foundation, Veronica Thomas, noted that the focus should be on service, not paperwork.
Jose, Ruth, Betty, Annie, Dave, Sheldon, Charles, and Kelly all spoke against the proposal to amend the grant contract to require verification of citizenship.
David didn’t want county dollars used for undocumented people.
Further Commissioner Comments
Kruse stated non-citizens contribute $108 Billion in taxes to the State of Florida. Siddique personally felt it was not a good policy, and McCann said this is federal jurisdiction.
Ballard stated she will work collaboratively, withdrew the motion and intends to bring it back after the meeting with nonprofits on Friday arranged by Manatee Community Foundation.
Item 53. County Administrator Contract Renewal - Commissioner Siddique
Bearden commented that the contract was unbalanced in favor of Bishop and is requesting:
Kruse agreed with Bearden and added that he thinks Bishop is hardworking and doing a great job.
McCann pointed out that the contract renewal does not take place until June 15, so there is time to renegotiate these points, and agreed with the points Bearden made. Siddique also supported having an "at will" contract.
Attorney for Bishop provided updates on Bishop's response to these items, including his agreement with a majority vote rather than supermajority for termination; agreement to decouple raises from population growth and a desire to not be seen as in conflict with establishing his own COLA salary adjustments; is fine with an ‘at will’ indefinite contract; and can have further discussion of severance pay.
Bearden requested that any raise be merit-based on quantifiable results of an annual review. Discussion ensued about using the review process included in the Port Commissioner contract.
Public Comments
Sixteen spoke in person or by phone in opposition to many of the clauses in the contract, including topics raised by the Commissioners. Specifically, they were opposed to overtime emergency pay; wanted a measurable merit-based annual evaluation based on objectives and goals, and were surprised one was not already in place; no automatic salary increases; do not want a contract renewed during an election year. Many expressed serious concerns about his leadership and management, lack of transparency and misuse of code enforcement at Terra Nova during dust storms, inappropriate water release at the dam, the animal safety issue and avoidance of sunshine laws.
Commissioners responded that this is the beginning of the negotiation, they are in agreement with many of their concerns, clarified that the contract will not be binding on a new board as it is ‘at will’ and some of the policy issues will be resolved at the ballot box and noted that Bishop is personally paying his attorney fees.
REGULAR
Community and Veterans Services
Item 42. Appointment of Members to the Manatee County Animal Services Advisory Board (ASAB) – Sarah Brown, Community and Veterans Services Director - Countywide
The following individuals were voted on the Advisory Board:
Property Management
Item 45. Execution of Non-Binding Letter of Intent between Manatee County and Community Coalition on Homelessness Corporation, d/b/a Turning Points, for a portion of the property located at 2903 12th Street Court East, Bradenton, Florida 34208 - Peter Morrow, Property Acquisition Division Manager - District 2
The County plan is to convey an 11.5-acre parcel of County property to Turning Points and lease back the property for 3 years for free (and potentially an additional 2 years) with a future purchase price by Turning Point of zero dollars.
Kathleen Cramer, CEO of Turning Points, presented a 4-year plan to create a social purpose campus on the property to house multiple nonprofits to provide seamless and streamlined delivery of services to serve the financially challenged.
Public Comments
Mayor of Bradenton Gene Brown expressed his strong support and appreciation for how this project will integrate services and benefit the County and the City of Bradenton.
Approved 5-0. Bearden absent.
Utilities
Item 46. Adoption of Resolution R-26-045, authorizing Implementation of a Bulk Waste Pilot Program, Approval of Associated Service Levels Compensation to Franchise Haulers, and Execution of Amendment 3 to the Amended and Restated Solid Waste Franchise Agreements - Patrick Shea, Utilities Director - Countywide
Patrick Shea presented a proposal for a 12-month pilot with the County providing residents with free pickup of two bulk items/household per month on a regular, specific date each month and one free bulk pickup per year of 10 cubic yards (such as a refrigerator or couch).
Approved 5-0. Bearden unavailable.
REPORTS
Public Works
Item 47. Commercial Vehicles on 37th Street East from State Road 70 to 38th Avenue East - Vishal S. Kakkad, PE, PTOE, RSP-2I, Traffic Engineering Division Manager - District 2
In response to resident concerns of heavy vehicles & truck traffic, Public Works is considering a new ordinance restricting heavy truck traffic on the above-mentioned corridor. One of the parameters of the proposed ordinance would be to differentiate between light trucks, and 5 ton and 40-ton trucks, particularly 40-ton trucks.
Public Comments
Nick, a 40-year resident, said that the 44th Street extension is generating a lot of extra traffic. He is concerned about speed limits, engine brake noise and degradation of roads.
John and Danielle, both local business owners, stated that deliveries will take much longer and go through more residential streets, which is even more dangerous and noted that farm equipment also uses those roads.
Commissioner Comments
Discussion ensued and eventually it was motioned that Public Works review workable proposals with the Sheriff and definitions of trucks and return with a proposed ordinance for consideration and public hearing.
Approved 3-1. McCann opposed. Bearden absent.
COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS
Item 48. Motion to direct staff to provide detailed information on how many dogs were moved, when they were moved, who directed the move, who is doing the evaluations on the dogs prior to the move, what evaluations were completed post-move, and how many dogs are left to be moved. - Commissioner McCann
In response to McCann’s question, staff answered that 56 dogs were moved, 45 went to Bishop and 10-15 to the Jail and were cared for by the Sheriff’s staff. McCann followed up with a request for a written report on the animal’s transfer.
Public Comments
Five speakers expressed deep concern and disbelief regarding Animal Services' perceived deliberate lack of transparency and callous treatment of the dogs under their care, and lack of collaboration and communication with volunteers regarding concerns, especially the sudden and unexpected move of the dogs without any notification. Misty stated that the promised University of Florida site written report was never delivered. David said that dogs have already experienced injuries in the new facility and safety improvements are still needed
Motion approved 4-0. Bearden and Rahn were absent.
Item 49. Motion to resurface the roads of River Club, located in Lakewood Ranch, which serves two schools and approximately 1000 residential homes, where numerous large potholes have developed throughout the area and continue to expand as temporary patches deteriorate and patching efforts have failed to address the underlying issues of the roadways. Commissioner Dr. McCann
McCann made a motion to inform staff that the River Club resurfacing has been made a priority on the CIP list.
Approved 4-0. Bearden and Rahn absent.
Item 50. Motion to identify the two hires dedicated to environmental compliance and enforcement for development within the Myakka River Basin in Manatee County, including detailed job descriptions outlining their responsibilities, duties, immediate supervisors, and any training related to the environmental aspects of the river basin. Commissioner McCann
County staff provided information regarding the two new tech hires and their training schedule. There are now three techs with responsibility for the entire County.
McCann questioned the job responsibilities of the two new techs, who were supposed to be hired specifically to provide environmental monitoring for Myakka and the Myakka River basin.
Public Comments
Five citizens expressed concern that the new hires weren’t going to function in the way that was the original intention. Elizabeth was concerned that this was creating the appearance of protection without actual protection. Glen and Garrett both expressed concern about specific locations in the Myakka area. Lindsey felt the county may be doing a ‘bait and switch”, not of the planned responsibilities for oversight and monitoring of environmental impact and enforcement, but just code enforcement.
Approved 4-0. Bearden and Rahn were absent.
At approximately 6:30 pm, there was no longer a quorum; Chair Siddique had departed the meeting, and Ballard was chairing the meeting. McCann requested that this item be tabled until the next meeting. Kruse insisted the meeting continue to prevent further delays.
Item 51. Motion to review federal jurisdiction findings that supersede SB 180 by federal preemption. Directing staff to make contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding wetlands and contact the state delegation that the federal law supersedes SB 180. - Commissioner Dr. McCann
This proposed motion was discussed, but no vote on the motion was possible due to lack of a quorum. County Attorney D’Agostino stated that her assessment is that this case does not pertain to wetlands. McCann said the Federal law is going to pre-empt SB180, as Federal Law supersedes state law, but the case finding is not yet written.
Public Comments
Five people spoke passionately on their disappointment with the state’s effort to slowly dismantle local government’s ability to manage growth and protect wetlands and protect local communities from flooding. They are annoyed with the County’s appearance that they are no longer trying to fight this encroachment and that the lack of accountability for the new hires and their revised job descriptions is not reassuring.
GOVERNANCE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The length of the meeting was unfair to citizens, organizations that participated and the commissioners and their staff.
Commissioner Bearden came well prepared for the County Administrator's contract negotiations with a thoughtful list of objections to the contract.
Presentations need to be included in the agenda. The presentation for discussion of the Economic Development Corporation was not included.
We encourage commissioners to use appropriate channels, such as changes in priority on an infrastructure project in their district, rather than make it an agenda item.
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