Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manatee County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
3 issues in taxes budget
Infrastructure sales tax project list changes
A public hearing will consider adding two transportation projects — one major road improvement and one intersection improvement — to the infrastructure sales tax project list. This shapes which road projects get funded with the sales tax voters approved.
County Administrator Contract
Commissioner McCann sought to terminate or formally reprimand Administrator Charlie Bishop over a heated September confrontation with Commissioner Bearden. The termination motion failed for lack of a second and the reprimand died 3-3; Bishop's contract expires in February and the new board will take it up.
Independent forensic audit of county contracts
The board unanimously approved an independent external audit covering Mosaic-related contracts, CIP projects, the PFAS water project, Light Up Manatee, and the administrator's discretionary spending — a response to residents' trust concerns. A scoped update is due November 18.