Manatee County Unveils First-Ever Strategic Plan to Guide Growth and Services

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (December 16, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) today approved the County’s first-ever, organization-wide Strategic Plan, establishing a clear, unified roadmap to guide priorities, investments and service delivery for residents, businesses and visitors. The plan was adopted with a 5-1 vote during the BOCC’s regular meeting on December 16, 2025, and marks a historic milestone in how the County aligns its work around shared goals and measurable outcomes.

“It’s clear, concise and it gives direction,” said Commission Chair George Kruse. “Now it’s up to everyone to follow the direction.”

Developed through collaboration between the Board and County leadership, the Strategic Plan replaces siloed or informal planning with a single, transparent framework that reflects community values and Board priorities. It reinforces Manatee County’s vision of being a thriving community where beaches, cities and rural areas come together to create a premier place to live, work and play, while emphasizing responsible growth, transparent decision-making and exceptional service.

At its core, the plan is built on a simple, structured framework that moves from vision and mission to six countywide goals, supported by measurable objectives and department-level actions. This structure is designed to make priorities easier to understand, track and report, ensuring accountability and clarity for both residents and staff. Those six core goals include the following:

Land Management & Development Policy
To make our rules and our work more up to date and push our top legislative goals so we’re ready for the future.

Transportation & Infrastructure
To improve our transportation and infrastructure, reduce flooding and build more multimodal trails so people can get around safely and easily.

Government Efficiency, Transparency & Fiscal Stewardship
To make our government work better by using technology to be more efficient, save money and stay open with the public.

Public Safety & Environmental Protection
To protect our community by strengthening public safety and taking care of our environment in smart, responsible ways.

Economic & Tourism Development
To grow our economy by bringing in key industries, supporting tourism, creating jobs and working better with our regional partners.

Veterans and Public Services
To improve life for veterans and our community by making essential services easier to access, building strong partnerships and supporting programs that put people first.

In addition to these overarching goals, the plan identifies priority initiatives, such as permitting reform, workforce development, housing affordability strategies, budget reform and millage review and enhanced animal welfare services. These focus areas reflect both current needs and long-term opportunities for improvement.

“The Strategic Plan is more than a vision statement—it is a working roadmap for implementation and measurement,” said Manatee County Government Relations Director Stephanie Garrison. “Departments across the organization will use this framework to coordinate actions, track performance and report progress, helping residents understand not just what the County is doing but why.”

The plan emphasizes implementation and accountability, with timelines, performance measures and regular public updates planned as work moves forward in 2026. Designed as a living document, the Strategic Plan will evolve over time to respond to changing conditions, available resources and future Board direction, while maintaining consistency and transparency.

Next steps include the development of department-level action plans, performance tracking and ongoing implementation beginning in 2026. Through this unified approach, Manatee County aims to strengthen public trust, improve service delivery and ensure data-informed decision-making that benefits the entire community.

Citizens are encouraged to go to mymanatee.org/strategy for more information.

Discussion and dialog regarding development of the former Seafood Shack property in Cortez brought abundant public comments and a resolution—approved 5-1 with Commissioner Bearden absent and Commissioner McCann in opposition—to authorize staff to initiate the development of multiple conceptual plans for the property, including those incorporating boat ramps and other priority amenities and without boat ramps. Commissioners are seeking a review of those conceptual plans in 2026.

Commissioners also unanimously approved Resolution R-25-224, establishing the honorary road name designation to Prospect Road from Whitfield Avenue to Tallevast Road as “PFC Christopher Cobb Memorial Parkway.”

The County accepted a $100,000 donation from the City of Bradenton for the Manatee River Oyster Restoration Project—a 1.26-acre oyster restoration project in the Manatee River.

Intertidal oyster reef “modules” will be constructed at two strategically selected sites at the confluence of the Braden River with the Manatee River. These 23 oyster reefs will serve multiple ecological and community benefits, including creation of habitat for recreationally valued sportfish, improving water quality, protecting Audubon’s Dot-Dash-Dit Bird Rookery and enhancing shoreline resilience.

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