The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, Sept. 1, for a regular meeting featuring discussions on Project Grace, county reserves, transit changes, environmental projects and several key administrative appointments.
The meeting will be held in the Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. Residents may attend in person or watch the meeting live online or through Manatee Government Access television channels.
One of the first major discussions is scheduled for 9 a.m., when commissioners will receive a follow-up presentation on Project Grace in District 5. County staff is expected to respond to questions and concerns previously raised by commissioners and members of the community. Project Grace is the working name for a proposed large indoor sports and entertainment complex in Manatee County, centered around four ice rinks but designed to accommodate many other sports and events.
Commissioners will also consider several proclamations, including recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and Honoring Kay Daniels Day, National Preparedness Month, Tribute to Heroes’ Day and Usher Syndrome Awareness Day.
The consent agenda includes a wide range of county business, including insurance renewals, community lease agreements, infrastructure projects, property transactions, emergency management funding and transportation initiatives.
Transportation and infrastructure items include roadway improvements on 27th Street between 31st Avenue East and 26th Avenue East, improvements at Buckeye Road and U.S. 301, work related to the Gateway Greenway Trail Phase II and authorization to seek federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program.
Commissioners will also consider an agreement related to the Southeast Water Reclamation Facility rehabilitation, upgrade and expansion project and the ratification of emergency purchase orders for underground electrical repairs at the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant.
A public hearing is scheduled on proposed changes to the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. Ordinance 26-40 would revise eligibility requirements, terms, the number of seats and procedures for the committee.
During the regular agenda, commissioners are scheduled to consider confirmation of appointments for Manatee County’s chief financial officer and deputy county administrator. The board will also consider appointments of six members to the Children’s Services Advisory Board for terms beginning Oct. 1.
Another significant item is a continued discussion of Manatee County’s reserve policy. Commissioners previously discussed how much money the county should maintain in reserves and are scheduled to continue that conversation during Tuesday’s meeting.
The board will also consider Project Wolf, an advanced PFAS treatment project for landfill leachate and biosolids at the Lena Road Landfill. The agenda item includes a proposed budget amendment and county resolution.
Other regular business includes approval of 2027 medical, dental, vision and retiree cost sharing for county-sponsored employee benefits and consideration of transferring the county-owned GTE building at 1009 4th Avenue West in Bradenton to the City of Bradenton.
Commissioners are also scheduled to receive reports on the Light Up Manatee project and projected changes to Manatee County’s transit system.
Members of the public will have several opportunities to participate. Public comments are accepted on consent agenda items, and a separate comment period allows residents to suggest matters for consideration on future agendas. Written comments may also be submitted online, and telephone participation is available for non-quasi-judicial items.