Manatee BOCC Selects Leaders for 2026

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has selected their leadership for the coming year.

District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique will serve as the BOCC Chair for 2026.

“It’s a tough job, but I’m up to the task,” said the newly elected chair, who will take the gavel officially on Jan 1, 2026. “The job of the chair, to me, is about running an efficient meeting and representing the will of the board wherever we possibly can.”

District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard will serve as First Vice Chair of the Board next year. At-Large Commissioner George Kruse will serve as Second Vice Chair, and District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will serve as Third Vice Chair.

District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn will once again serve as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. Commissioner Felts will be vice chair, and the second vice chair will be At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden. Commissioner Kruse will serve as third vice chairman of the Port Authority.

Commissioner Ballard will serve as the Tourist Development Council (TDC) Chair. Commissioner Felts will be the Board’s alternate representative on the TDC.

For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.