Manatee Commissioner Calls Lakewood Ranch Administration Building a “Money Pit” During Generator Debate

A divided Manatee County Commission approved a long-term agreement with Florida Power & Light for backup generators at the county’s second administration building in Lakewood Ranch, despite concerns from Commissioner Bob McCann over the growing costs tied to the project.

During the May 5 commission meeting, commissioners voted 5-1 to approve a 20-year agreement with FPL that will add approximately $52,744, plus taxes, to the county’s monthly electric bill once permanent generators are installed and operational. McCann cast the lone dissenting vote after pulling the item from the consent agenda for discussion.

McCann criticized the continued expenses associated with the 101,312-square-foot building, which the county purchased in September 2025 for $23.5 million. The county also allocated an additional $11.3 million for renovations and decor as part of the overall project budget.

County officials said the building’s existing diesel generators had reached the end of their usable life at the time of purchase. After the acquisition, staff discovered the inner lining of the fuel tank had ruptured, rendering the tank unusable even though no fuel leaked outside the tank.

Director of Property Management Cary Knight said the county conducted due diligence before purchasing the building, but noted there were limitations during inspections. The Federal Emergency Management Agency occupied the second floor during the evaluation process, restricting access to some areas of the facility.

County administrators also pointed to the size and complexity of the building, which opened in 1998, as a factor in identifying issues after the purchase. Knight said some infrastructure systems, including elevators and server room components, are still being evaluated for upgrades and repairs.

Commissioner George Kruse defended the additional costs, noting many of the expenses were anticipated in the original project budget. Knight said some funding for generator work had already been built into the renovation estimates, though he could not immediately provide a specific amount during the meeting.

County officials described the generator system as critical for maintaining operations during power outages. The building currently relies on a battery backup system that temporarily supports operations through an Automatic Transfer Switch until generators activate. Without reliable backup power, officials said the county could face mold issues after prolonged outages and lose access to key security systems, including cameras and key-fob entry systems.

The facility is expected to house up to 550 employees once renovations are completed in January 2027. County Administrator Charlie Bishop said the building will also serve as a pre- and post-storm rallying point for county employees not stationed at the Emergency Operations Center.

Under the agreement, FPL will install temporary generators expected to be operational by August 2026, with permanent generators anticipated in late 2027. County officials said the county will not begin making payments until the permanent systems are installed, delaying the budget impact until fiscal year 2028.

Knight estimated the FPL partnership will save the county about 15% compared to independently managing the project because the county will avoid engineering and maintenance costs over the life of the agreement. At the end of the contract, the generators will become county assets and are expected to remain operational for at least another decade.

Knight pushed back against claims that the building is becoming a financial burden, arguing the overall investment remains significantly lower than the cost of constructing a new government facility.

Of the $11.3 million renovation and decor budget, approximately $1.1 million remains unspent. Knight said the county is holding the remaining funds in reserve until officials determine whether additional issues arise during the final stages of renovation.

Expenses already accounted for in the project include nearly $2 million for IT fiber and first-floor furniture, approximately $3.9 million in construction improvements, more than $3 million for the second-floor remodel, about $196,000 for battery backup power modules, and $10,000 in elevator repairs.