Manatee County Moves Forward With DOGE Committee and Conservation Acquisitions
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (July 29, 2025) — The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has appointed five individuals to serve on a newly created Government Efficiency Liaison Committee, established to promote transparent, cost-effective public service delivery in alignment with Florida’s Executive Order No. 25-44 and Manatee County Resolution No. R-25-072.
David Otterness, Benjamin Heavener, John Settineri, Mark Stanoch and Don Berg were selected to begin their work to support the County’s participation in the statewide Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative with Manatee County Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison and Manatee County Government Relations Manager Brent Anderson. The appointments follow an open application process, which concluded July 18 and reflect the BOCC commitment to citizen engagement and responsible governance prior to the Governor’s announcement last week of the DOGE audit of Manatee County.
“This is an important board,” said Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse. “The intent was to have a broad swatch of people with IT, HR and finance experience. Backgrounds and experience are important.”
Manatee County Commissioners also voted to purchase and preserve some important properties. Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of roughly 10 acres of environmentally sensitive land at 950 Rye Road in Parrish, using $858,000 in Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC) funding. Over 70% of voters passed the Conservation and Parks Referendum in November 2020 to pay for the purchase of land and easements for conservation like this, and the ELMAC team is working hard to bring more properties like this to the BOCC for approval. The land is a mix of uplands and forested wetlands. The uplands are primarily pine flatwoods, which are considered rare species habitat, an underrepresented natural community and are important for strategic habitat conservation and will be managed as a part of the expanded Rye Preserve.
The BOCC also voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the former Mixon Fruit Farms property, located at the intersection of 27th St. E and 26th Ave. E., in Bradenton for $13.5 Million.
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response with citizens and organizations that want to be a part of this important work that we’re going to be doing,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who called the purchase of the 39-acre property—which includes a story, pavilion and home—a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to preserve a piece of Old Florida within the urban core.”
Plans for the property have yet to be finalized, but it is hoped that this a space will pay homage to Manatee County’s roots, while also giving the next generation of farmers a place to start. The inclusion of a library branch on site has also been discussed.
A Natural Resources Program Manager will carry out the desired educational events and activities related to this property, developing and managing innovative programs focused on water-quality education and conservation practices, community and micro gardens, composting and soil health, agritourism and cooperative farming models, food security and access to fresh and local produce for diverse segments of the local population. A Sports & Leisure Services Event Supervisor will manage and oversee weddings, continuing to generate revenue while offering a local community space in this area of the County. Also, a Property Management Parks Maintenance Technician and Custodian will ensure the maintenance and care of the property as it is developed.
For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.