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 5/19/26.
Invocation – Pastor Mark Gibbens, Mill Creek Baptist Church
Pledge Of Allegiance Scott Zempel, Air Force and Vietnam War Veteran, honoring his father, Marine Jack Ellis Zempel, and his late father-in-law, George Stilen, a Korean War Veteran.
Announcements
Agenda was updated May 12, May 13, May 14, and May 18, 2026.
PORT AUTHORITY
Port Authority Meeting Agenda for May 19, 2026
Commissioner Rahn gave an update on the financial status of the Port with a projected 2026 net revenue of $20 million based on higher revenue than previous years and controlling expenditures. The Port recently received its first AAA bond rating.
AWARDS/PRESENTATIONS/
Presentations
Introduction of the 2026 Summer Internship Program interns for Manatee County Government, Kate Rucker, HR Director
Rucker had ten interns come forward to introduce themselves and their projects. Students are both undergraduates and graduates of Florida schools and other universities and colleges such as MIT and Bowdoin College. The projects span from facilities management, development services, public safety, and property management.
Proclamations
Manasota Youth Soccer League Day
The proclamation designated May 19 to honor the volunteer led Manasota Youth Soccer League, noting its inclusive environment and allows participation regardless of income. The program is held in Blackstone Park in Palmetto.
Memorial Day
May 25 is designated in Manatee County as Memorial Day to honor those who have served in the military, giving the ultimate sacrifice. Renee Medina, Manatee County Veterans Services Manager, announced several events occurring over the weekend including “Remembering our Fallen” exhibit at Donald Courtney Veterans Park and the traveling Freedom 250 interactive exhibit at Lakewood Ranch Library from May 22-24.
National Stop the Bleed Day
Carol Bissinger from HCA Florida Blake Hospital (HCA), a Level II trauma center, received the proclamation designating May 21 as a day to highlight the public health campaign, launched in 2015 to train citizens to stop traumatic bleeding and save lives. HCA has trained over 3,000 community members and will host a public class on May 21 from 9:30-10:30.
REQUESTS BY COMMISSIONERS (Items pulled from Consent Agenda)
Commissioner McCann pulled Items 6,19, and 25.
Commissioner Ballard pulled Items 18 and 23.
CONSENT AGENDA
The League encourages residents to read the full meeting agenda to learn about the approved consent items, such as the joint meeting with Longboat Key Commission in September, the non-profit agreement with Manatee Educational Television Consortium, and 2026 Suncoast Summer Reading Challenge.
Approved 6-0.
SELECT CITIZEN COMMENTS (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
Commissioners’ comments
Kruse explained that the solar trash bins are oversized receptacles used at remote locations in the county, requiring less emptying and therefore less travel time for trucks to pick up – a tax dollar savings. He noted that the funds available to citizens for home improvements are from the Sadowski State and Local Housing Trust Funds and have restricted uses.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
Item 6. Fifth Amendment to Employment Contract with County Administrator
Background: The County Administrator Charlie Bishop hired an attorney to negotiate his contract renewal. The BoCC voted to extend his current contract and to reimburse Bishop $3,000 for his attorney fees. The Clerk of the Circuit Court and the Comptroller concluded that the payment of the attorney fees didn’t rise to the level of lawful public purpose, which led to the crafting of the fifth amendment which proposes the payment for meritorious performance of his duties.
Commissioner McCann pulled this item because he has heard objections from citizens and motioned to drop the $3,000 payment. Kruse stated that the Board and not the administrator changed the process, and the good faith reimbursement of the legal fees shouldn’t be “hung up on semantics.”
Citizen comments
Andra, Ken, and David all objected to the payment of the fees describing it as an insult to residents and dishonest payment.
McCann’s motion to drop the payment of $3,000 failed. Commissioners Siddique and McCann voting yes.
A second motion, to approve the fifth amendment to the contract which includes the $3,000 payment of legal fees passed 4-2. Siddique and McCann voting no.
Item 18. Authorization to Apply for an SS4A Grant from U.S. DOT for the construction of 15th Street East / 301 Boulevard East from south of 63rd Avenue to south of 53rd Avenue, Clarke Davis, Public Works Deputy Director - District 2
Commissioner Ballard pulled this item to highlight that a longtime concern about the effect of heavy industrial traffic on the local pedestrian and bike traffic was being addressed.
Approved 6-0.
Item 19. Execution of Memorandum of Understanding with CareerSource Suncoast for Apprenticeship Program Support, Stephanie Garrison, Government Relations Director
Josh Matlock, President and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast explained that the CareerSource Suncoast Apprenticeship Program helps employers create paid, structured apprenticeship positions and helps jobseekers gain hands‑on training, technical instruction and mentoring that leads to nationally‑recognized credentials. Apprenticeship expansion is the result of state and local government support. Manatee County has 3,000 apprenticeships. Matlock said that the MOU states that any costs would be determined in the future.
Siddique reminded the Board that at the April 8 meeting, this item was under Economic Development line items. He said that the trend is to develop more effective economic development incentives; instead of previous job grants, there are workforce grants. Retention rates for the full-time apprenticeship are 93%.
Motion to execute the MOU approved 6-0.
Item 23. Approval of FY26 Tree Trust Fund Application; and Adoption of Budget Budget Amendment Resolution B-26-073, Cary Knight, Property Management Director - District 3
Ballard questioned the cost of the trees based on her conversation with someone in the tree nursery business. Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Natural Resources, explained that the Buttonwood trees selected to create a quicker buffer zone for the Geraldson Community Farm site were 25-gallon size.
Approved 6-0.
Item 25. Adoption of Resolution R-26-031, establishing a Health and Human Services Investment Review Committee, Thu Le, Health Information Services Manager - Countywide
McCann asked Le why another advisory board is needed. She explained that the committee will review and score all nonprofit applications for adult health and human services, just as the Children’s Advisory Board does currently. James Crutchfield, from Public Safety, which works with Veterans Services, said that the need for more consistency and transparency on use of public funds led to the committee’s creation.
Motion approved 6-0.
ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS - LEGISLATIVE
Item 29. Adoption of Ordinance 26-11, regarding Criminal Background Screening for Safety and Security Critical Positions and restricting access to results of Criminal History Records Checks to authorized individuals, Chris Kopp, Human Services Deputy Director
Approved 6-0.
Item 30. Adoption of Resolution R-26-026, naming the dog park at Blackstone Park as the "Christina Turley Dog Park", Molly White, Director of Sports and Leisure Services - District 2
Approved 6-0.
Item 31. Adoption of Resolution R-26-056, revising the Water Well Construction Permitting Program Schedule of Fees for the administration and enforcement of rules and regulations governing water well permitting and water well contractors within Manatee County, including the addition of a fee for processing Water Well Abandonment Permits, Alissa Powers, Environmental Protection Division Manager - Countywide
Powers and Paul Panik, Program Manager, explained that since 1978 local oversight of groundwater resources with comprehensive audits have been conducted to update the fees schedule. The resolution renews authority for five years and would permit the new fee schedule to go into effect.
Approved 5-0. McCann was absent.
REGULAR
Government Relations
Item 33. Update on infrastructure phase of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant and Lasting Manatee Program, Ashley Schnitker, Grants Division Manager, and Odugo Ohizu, Communications Coordinator
Ohizu presented updates in an informative power point CDBG-DR Grant Program Status and Updates. This is a $252,711,000 grant; $125 million is for infrastructure (such things as pumping stations, dredging, etc.) with funds allocated to all the municipalities.
Pre-applications will open on June 1. Rankings are due from the municipalities by October 1. Her team will verify eligibility as the grants are for low- and middle-income areas, with damage from the 2024 storms or to prevent future damage.
Ashley Schnitker, newly promoted from FEMA oversight, reported that 185 applications have been received for the housing recovery program. To increase participation in the program LastingManatee.org, the county will open an intake center on Manatee Ave West on June 1.
Natural Resources
Item 34. Execution of the Water Well Construction Permitting Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the administration and enforcement of rules and regulations governing water wells permitting and water well contractors within the geographical jurisdiction of Manatee County, Alissa Powers, Environmental Protection Division Manager, and Paul Panik, Program Manager – Countywide
Having approved the schedule of fees in item 31, the delegated authority for governing water wells permitting is renewed for five years with the execution of the item.
Approved 6-0.
Public Works
Item 36. Appointment of Citizen Representative to the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization's Citizen Advisory Committee, Clarke Davis, Deputy Director, Public Works
Charles Richards, being the only applicant, fills the vacant at-large seat without a vote.
COMMISSIONER AGENDA ITEMS
Item 37. Old Memphis Cemetery Desecration and County Response - District 2
Ballard was notified about the recent desecration of the cemetery and discovered that not only did it need repair of the damage and restoration, but the cemetery is also in need of ongoing maintenance. Community organizations, businesses, and individuals have already offered support for the May 23 community cleanup effort. Her motion is to allocate $100,000 from the Commissioners Discretionary Fund to provide fencing, lighting, and cameras for ongoing security.
McCann questioned how the county could monitor cameras. He referenced another issue with abandoned cemeteries that Siddique had brought forward to the commission in December, the Adams Rogers Cemetery. McCann said that people want long-term maintenance programs.
Ballard and Siddique agree that these historic cemeteries need support. The historic Adams and Rogers Cemetery was recently cleaned up by Public Works. The county attorney reminded the board that according to State Statute (497-484), a county is required to notify the CFO and State Department of Financial Services before providing county maintenance to a cemetery.
Citizen comments
Four citizens, including Tracey Washington, President of the Manatee County NAACP, expressed concern about long term care of the historically black cemeteries, appreciation for the cleanup efforts and noted that, in the past, blacks were not permitted to be buried in other cemeteries in Manatee County.
Commissioner’s comments
Motion to allocate $100,000 for fencing, security, and lighting at Old Memphis cemetery. Approved 6-0.
Motion to direct staff to research, review, and propose changes to Manatee County Ordinance 88-34 and Resolution 88-152. Approved 6-0.
Item 38. Advertising Revenue for Public Transit System - District 3
Manatee County’s public transit system, MCAT, does not have a funding source outside of property taxes. It is currently a free service. Siddique suggested directing county staff to research and evaluate options for implementing a public transit advertising program to raise funds, which would include such things as advertisements on transit vehicles, shelters, benches, and digital platforms.
Motion to direct the staff to do such research and report back to the BoCC with its findings and recommendations.
Approved 6-0.
GOVERNANCE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
Public behavior has become more divisive, including angry outbursts and insults. We encourage the chair, at the beginning of the meeting, to remind everyone of the civility guidelines.
In this election season, it is important for commissioners and citizens to keep politics out of county business.
We commend Siddique for adding useful background in discussions and welcoming citizen input as he did with the citizen comment regarding accessible transportation in the county
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