Manatee County Commission to Spotlight Beach Patrol Honor, Transit Funding, Conservation Easements and Service Concerns at Jan. 27 Meeting
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, beginning at 9 a.m., with a full agenda that includes awards, budget and infrastructure items, environmental initiatives, and multiple commissioner-led discussions on community concerns.
The meeting will open with an invocation led by Pastor Luke Stockeland of First Baptist Church of Bradenton, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Judson Fillingim, a compensation analyst, honoring family members who served in the Armed Forces, including his great-grandfather, Leon Sparkman, who served in the Air Force.
Commissioners are scheduled to recognize local accomplishments during the awards and proclamations portion of the meeting, including acceptance of the 2025 Florida Beach Patrol of the Year Award from the Florida Beach Patrol Chief Association and the presentation of the January 2026 Team Member of the Month Award. The board is also expected to adopt a proclamation recognizing the 60th anniversary of CWC-FPRA.
The agenda also includes a Port Authority meeting as part of the morning proceedings.
A lengthy consent agenda includes items spanning legal, tourism, financial management, utilities, public works, and public safety. Among them is a proposed settlement of $104,000 in the case Thomas Eppich v. Manatee County and City of Holmes Beach. Commissioners will also consider approval of a content creator agreement template for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and a revised 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting calendar.
Infrastructure and utility-related items on the consent agenda include budget amendment resolutions tied to infrastructure sales tax, purchase orders for fleet supplies, and an authorization to issue a piggyback purchase order for Microsoft Azure services. Several major utility projects are also slated for approval, including design-build services for the North Regional Water Reclamation Facility rehabilitation, upgrade, and expansion, as well as guaranteed maximum price addenda for inflow and infiltration repair projects in multiple areas.
Environmental and recreation items include a resolution authorizing signature of an FDOT public transit grant agreement for Transit Corridor Development Program funding for Route 99 along U.S. 41, and authorization to apply for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Recreational Trail Program grant for improvements at the Emerson Point Preserve Expansion. The board will also consider a budget amendment and agreement supporting Keep Manatee Beautiful, Inc., for services not to exceed $75,000 in fiscal year 2026.
In advertised public hearings, commissioners are expected to consider adoption of a resolution approving substantial amendments to the county’s 2023–2028 Consolidated Plan and multiple annual action plans, along with related budget amendments.
During the regular agenda, the board will review proposed memorandums of agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program to move forward in partnership on conservation easement acquisition efforts for Mossy Island Ranch and Thundercloud Ranch. Commissioners will also consider the adoption of adult health and human services nonprofit priority areas, approval of the county’s 2026 Metropolitan Planning Organization project priorities, and appointments of two applicants to the Library Advisory Board.
Several commissioner agenda items are expected to draw public interest, including discussions on Bishop Kennels, preservation of canopy roads, and concerns about trash pickup service, costs, and sanitation impacts in certain districts. The board will also discuss drafting resolutions to name the Washington Park community center in honor of Lawrence Livingston and the Blackstone dog park in honor of Christina Turley.
Additional discussion topics include the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. partnership and a review of the reasons for a hiring freeze and a reported $500,000 bond penalty.
Public comment opportunities are scheduled throughout the meeting, including time for input on consent agenda items and future agenda considerations.