1+ mon, 2+ day ago   (798+ words) If Manatee County’s fiscal year 2027 budget is approved in September as proposed, the county’s reserve will reach $1.1 billion. Last year, when the reserves neared $1 billion, Commissioner Jason Bearden pushed to have some of the funds released, but didn’t receive the…...

2+ mon, 6+ day ago   (796+ words) The property tax referendum was the topic that rose to the top during Commissioner Bob McCann's joint workshop with Community Development Districts on June 30 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall. Representatives of each CDD were able to submit questions to the…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago   (980+ words) Some Manatee County expenditures cited as overspending by the state Department of Government Efficiency were called money “well spent” by the Manatee County Government Efficiency Liaison Committee. The committee met June 23 to discuss its final recommendations with County Administrator Charlie…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago   (284+ words) When former Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer announced his retirement, the town looked to St. Lucie County for his replacement in Howard Tipton. Four years later, St. Lucie County is in the town's sights again. As Tipton prepares the…...

3+ mon, 4+ day ago   (588+ words) Out of 24 candidates across three open Manatee County commission seats, 18 are Republican candidates. “In areas that are very Republican or very Democratic, the decision is frequently made in the primaries,” said Alice Newlon, government co-chair for the League of Women…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (328+ words) After two decades, the town of Longboat Key will get a new town clerk this summer. Trish Shinkle, who started with the town in 2006, is retiring. Her last day is June 19, she said. Celine Kidwell has been picked as the…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (706+ words) From committees to judges, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a slew of appointments over the past three months. However, the governor has left one key seat in Manatee County empty, that of the late Carol Ann Felts. Felts was the…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (894+ words) In March 2021, an article in the East County Observer featured two residents fighting to keep the Future Area Development Boundary in place — District 1 commissioner Carol Ann Felts and Parrish’s Elizabeth Arnold. Arnold had no prior political aspirations, but after Felts…...

3+ mon, 4+ week ago   (149+ words) Two positions are open on Manatee County’s Tourist Development Council, and applications for consideration by County Commissioners will be accepted until June 1. The council is made up of nine volunteer members and advises county commissioners on uses for revenue derived…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago   (565+ words) A local government’s charter is a big deal. “It is your municipal constitution,” Longboat Key Town Attorney Maggie Mooney said. “It’s going to describe where your boundaries are. It’s going to talk about elected official’s seats, terms and qualifications. It’s…...