Environmental Lands Referendum, Data Centers and EMS Funding Headline July 28 Manatee Commission Meeting
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, July 28, with a full agenda that includes a proposed environmental lands referendum, discussions on data center development, emergency medical services funding, affordable housing, infrastructure projects and numerous grant applications.
The meeting begins at 9 a.m. with an invocation by Reverend Brock Patterson of Longboat Island Chapel and the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Boys and Girls Club. Commissioners will also recognize retiring EMS District Chief Keith Lock, honor the county’s July Team Member of the Month and hear presentations on the county’s 2026 Summer Internship Capstone Projects. Proclamations recognizing Judge Gilbert Smith Day, ADA Awareness Month and Manatee County Water Professionals Month are also scheduled.
Among the most closely watched items is a proposal to place an environmental lands referendum on the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot. If approved by commissioners, voters would decide whether to authorize up to $75 million in general obligation bonds along with an additional 0.16 mill property tax to fund the acquisition, improvement and maintenance of environmentally sensitive lands throughout the county.
Commissioners are also expected to spend significant time discussing data centers. Multiple agenda items address a temporary moratorium on applications for data centers and other large electrical load customers in unincorporated Manatee County, along with broader discussions about future regulations and policies governing the industry.
Emergency medical services funding is another major topic. The board will consider an emergency funding request for Turning Points Health Center laboratory services, discuss designating EMS and Public Safety Telecommunications as certified essential services and explore long-term sustainable funding options for EMS operations. The meeting will also include the presentation of a retirement award to EMS District Chief Keith Lock after his years of service.
Several housing-related items are also scheduled. Commissioners will consider increasing the maximum State Housing Initiatives Partnership replacement housing award for owner-occupied homes, approving updates to the county’s disaster recovery action plan, and executing agreements related to housing assistance and supportive housing initiatives.
The consent agenda includes a wide range of financial and infrastructure projects, including authorization for a public utilities revenue note of up to $110 million, biosolids system upgrades, security services for Manatee County Area Transit, utility relocations, animal shelter improvements and multiple property easements throughout the county. Commissioners will also consider grants supporting historic preservation, abandoned African American cemeteries, substance abuse prevention and behavioral health initiatives.
Other notable discussion items include animal services millage, proposed updates to the county’s utility bill adjustment policy, pedestrian safety ordinance revisions, the future of Project Grace, a report on arcade regulations, and a fiscal analysis of kennel structures at the Bishop Animal Shelter campus.
Residents will have several opportunities to address the commission during public comment periods, including comments on consent agenda items and future agenda topics before commissioners conclude the meeting with attorney, administrator and commissioner comments.