Government

What the County Commission and other local boards are deciding for Palmetto, Parrish and Ellenton, and how to take part.

Budget & taxesElection

County Commission

  • Unofficial results: Arnold, Ballard and Poulton lead County Commission races

    With election day, early and mail ballots all counted in the Supervisor of Elections' Nov. 5 unofficial update, Elizabeth "Liz" Arnold (R) leads District 1 with 31,964 votes (65.96%) to Sari Lindroos-Valimaki's (D) 16,446 (33.94%). In District 2, Amanda Ballard (R) has 10,350 (50.40%) to Charles B. Smith Sr's (D) 10,185 (49.60%), 165 votes apart. Countywide, District 6: Tara Poulton (R) 104,000 (58.06%), Reggie Bellamy (D) 75,124 (41.94%). School Board District 2: Sharon Jefferson, 9,738 (52.15%); Cindy Spray, 8,935 (47.85%).

    Source: Manatee Supervisor of Elections: Nov. 3, 2026 unofficial results

  • Motion to fire the county administrator dies without a second; reprimand fails 3-3

    On Oct. 20 Bob McCann moved to fire County Administrator Charlie Bishop over a heated exchange with Jason Bearden at the Sept. 1 meeting, but no one seconded it. His second motion, a public reprimand, failed 3-3: McCann, George Kruse and Bearden for it, Tal Siddique, Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn against. A tie vote fails. Bishop's contract runs through February 2027.

    Sources (3)

  • County buys 156 acres on the Little Manatee River in Parrish for a new preserve

    Commissioners approved paying $2.05 million for about 156.4 acres along Taylor Grade Rd in Parrish, to become Bunker Hill Preserve. The land has hardwood forest, wetlands and pasture along the South Fork of the Little Manatee River. The county plans to clear invasive plants, restore habitat and later open it for hiking, biking, picnicking and wildlife watching. The money comes from the voter-approved environmental lands program.

    Sources: Manatee County: Commissioners approve conservation lands, Oct. 20, Manatee County agenda item: Bunker Hill Preserve purchase, Oct. 20

  • Bonds approved to buy and fix up Tuscany Lakes apartments in Ellenton

    Commissioners signed off on up to $40.9 million in Housing Finance Authority bonds for a buyer to purchase and rehabilitate Tuscany Lakes Apartments, 348 units at 3550 58th Place E in Ellenton. The homes must stay affordable for at least 50 years, the county said.

    Source: Manatee County agenda item: Tuscany Lakes bonds, Oct. 20

  • Land for the 60th Ave. E widening at the Ellenton outlets

    On its consent list Oct. 20, the commission unanimously approved $3,776,300 for land and easements at 6100 US 301 N for the 60th Ave. E widening, and a road agreement with the Artisan Lakes East CDD for 114th St. E and Maidenstone Way.

    Sources: Manatee County agenda item: 60th Ave. E land agreement, Oct. 20, Manatee County agenda item: Artisan Lakes East road agreement, Oct. 20

  • Commissioners approve Parrish Lakes changes, dropping its affordable-housing conditions

    On Oct. 8 commissioners adopted the revised plan for Parrish Lakes, about 1,155 acres in Parrish: 2,444 houses, 686 townhomes, no apartments, 302,251 sq ft of shops, 43,320 sq ft of offices and room for a public school, built out by 2036. The section that held its affordable-housing conditions is now blank.

    Sources: Manatee County Ordinance 26-15 (Parrish Lakes), adopted Oct. 8, Manatee County staff report: Parrish Lakes, Oct. 8

  • Buckhead Trails II CDD in Parrish shrinks by about 14.3 acres

    Also on Oct. 8, commissioners took about 14.3 acres owned by KC Buckeye East LLC out of the Buckhead Trails II Community Development District, as the district's board had asked, leaving the district at about 431 acres.

    Source: Manatee County Ordinance 26-45 (Buckhead Trails II CDD), adopted Oct. 8

  • $125 million in storm recovery money moves ahead, with $3.6 million for Palmetto

    On Oct. 7 commissioners moved forward with $125 million in federal hurricane recovery money for 12 county projects and 10 in the cities and Longboat Key, much of it for stormwater and flooding. Staff recommended all of Palmetto's $3,619,000 share for design of the first phase of its wastewater treatment plant expansion: an injection well and a reject storage control system.

    Sources: WWSB: $125 million for stormwater and flood projects, Manatee County staff recommendation, Oct. 1

  • Final vote on the 2027 budget

    Commissioners adopted the 2027 budget Sept. 24: $1,510,954,399 net ($3,703,035,133 gross), with an aggregate county tax rate of 6.4912 mills, 1.26% below the rolled-back rate.

    Sources: Manatee County agenda, Sept. 24, Manatee County meeting video, Sept. 24

  • Adult arcade ban and two ranches protected

    On Sept. 22 commissioners banned unauthorized simulated gambling devices and protected Thundercloud Ranch (1,042 acres) and Mossy Island Ranch (420 acres) from development; the county pays no more than $2 million of the $15.68 million cost.

    Source: Manatee County

  • Administrator's contract on the Oct. 6 agenda

    Commissioner Jason Bearden asked on Sept. 22 to put ending County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract, which runs through Feb. 8, 2027, on the Oct. 6 agenda, and requested purchasing records. Commissioner Bob McCann said he didn't expect a majority to vote to end it and urged residents to weigh in.

    Sources: Pulse of Manatee, Your Observer

  • Planning board backs Parrish Lakes changes, rejects storage expansion

    On Sept. 17 the Planning Commission voted 6–0 for revised plans at Parrish Lakes: 2,444 houses, 686 townhomes, a school site and buildout by 2036, without its affordable-housing conditions. It voted 5–1 against rezoning 7.71 acres at Sawgrass Storage, 9435 Moccasin Wallow Rd. Both go to commissioners Oct. 8. How to weigh in.

    Source: Manatee County Planning Commission summary

  • $558,100 for Parrish signs, banners and a garden

    Money from Parrish's tax-increment fund will pay for a $175,000 community garden at Parrish Community Park, three historic welcome signs ($200,000), veterans banners on Erie Rd and US 301 ($80,000), landscaping at the Fort Hamer Rd roundabout ($75,000) and design work by Fawley Bryant Architecture ($28,100). Families can apply for a free banner through the Parrish Civic Association.

    Source: Tampa Bay Beacons

Weigh in

Upcoming hearings and deadlines, and how to take part.

  • Add to calendar
    Tuesday, Nov. 10 · 10 am · Manatee County

    School Board: change orders for Rye Ranch and Veterans elementaries

    The School Board's regular meeting has change orders for the two elementary schools that opened in August: $52,255.07 at Rye Ranch Elementary in Parrish and $260,373.05 and $26,186.15 at Veterans Elementary in Palmetto, all within their approved budgets. It also takes up a Parrish Community High DECA trip and recognizes Chair Cindy Spray and member Richard Tatem for their service.

    Source: School District of Manatee County: board meetings and agendas

  • Add to calendar
    Thursday, Nov. 12 · 9 am · Palmetto

    Planning Commission: a rezoning on 77th St. E near Palmetto

    The board reviews a request to rezone about 27.34 acres at 4325 77th St. E, south of 77th St. E and about 1,750 feet east of Ellenton Gillette Rd, from farm zoning to a planned residential district, with a general development plan for up to 164 homes (161 attached, 3 detached). Its recommendation goes to commissioners, who are scheduled to decide Dec. 16.

    Sources: Manatee County: Nov. 12 Planning Commission hearing notice, Manatee County upcoming hearings list, Nov. 2

  • Add to calendar
    Monday, Nov. 16 · 6:15 pm · Downtown Palmetto

    Palmetto City Commission: election results and oaths of office

    The city clerk reads the canvassers' certificate for the Nov. 3 city election into the record, the ward commissioners take their oath of office, and the commission adjourns before starting its regular business. The agenda lists Rachel Kendzior as commissioner-elect for Ward 3. A City Commission and CRA workshop starts at 4:30 pm.

    Sources: City of Palmetto agenda, Nov. 16 City Commission, City of Palmetto agenda, Nov. 16 workshop

  • Add to calendar
    Wednesday, Nov. 18 · 9 am · Manatee County

    County Commission regular meeting

    Commissioners hold their only regular meeting of November on a Wednesday, the day before their Land Use meeting. It includes a public hearing on adding two transportation projects, one road improvement and one intersection improvement, to the list paid for by the infrastructure sales tax; the notice doesn't say where they are. The full agenda usually posts about a week ahead.

    Sources: Manatee County: Nov. 18 County Commission hearing notice, Manatee County Agenda Online: meetings

  • Add to calendar
    Thursday, Nov. 19 · 9 am · Parrish

    Commissioners decide two Parrish storage projects

    At their Land Use meeting, commissioners take up new sign rules for Parrish Storage 2 on US 301 south of Rutland Rd, which the Planning Commission recommended 5-0, and outdoor storage and parking on about 7.71 newly rezoned acres at Sawgrass Storage, 9435 Moccasin Wallow Rd. BayCare withdrew its request for up to 90,000 sq ft of medical offices at US 301 and Red Rooster Rd, which had been set for the same meeting.

    Source: Manatee County: Nov. 19 Land Use hearing notice

  • Add to calendar
    Thursday, Nov. 19 · 10 am · Palmetto

    North River Fire District board meets

    The elected board of fire commissioners that runs North River Fire Rescue holds its monthly meeting.

    Source: North River Fire District: board of fire commissioners

How to attend or watch

Commission meetings start at 9 am in the County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W, Bradenton. Agendas, meeting dates and live video are on the county's meeting calendar.

Anyone can speak during public comment. Check the meeting's agenda for how comment works that day. For problems like street flooding, county staff recommend the Manatee County 311 app.

Something coming up that North County should know about? Tell us.

Sources (34)

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