July Newsletter
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Welcome back to the Making Waves Newsletter! I am excited to share highlights and updates from the first half of the year as we continue working together to make Manatee County an even better place to live.
As always, if I can ever be of service don’t hesitate to contact me at Tal@mymanatee.org.
Community Highlights
In May, the district welcomed its first community garden at the Geraldson Family Farm. Manatee County’s community gardens are a great way to meet members of your community and learn gardening skills in a welcoming environment. To see the full list of the county’s community gardens, visit this link here.
In May, Rubonia welcomed the expansion of the Boys & Girls Club to their neighborhood! Their presence at the Rubonia Community Center will provide kids & teens with the opportunity to enjoy a safe place to learn, create, socialize and participate in activities throughout the year. If you live in or around the Rubonia community and want to get involved in the Boys & Girls Club, visit this link here.
At the Adams & Rogers Cemetery in my district, I secured the Board’s support in dedicating resources to perform cleanup activities on the property. This included replacing the rear entry gate, removing overgrowth, and performing a general cleanup of the property. Moving forward, our Property Management & Natural Resources teams will work to secure state grant funding for future maintenance and restoration efforts. See the ABC7 story covering this effort here.
Later in May, we witnessed the terrible vandalism of gravesites at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto. Commissioner Ballard, District 2, worked with the Board and our community to support volunteer cleanup efforts. The event was a major success and, combined with work at Adams & Rogers, marked a turning point for how the Board addresses abandoned cemeteries throughout the County.
Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference
I attended the Florida Association of Counties Annual Conference alongside commissioners from all 67 counties. My focus was on data center policy, county preparations for the proposed property tax referendum, and strategies for managing growth amid infrastructure challenges.
I was also honored to graduate from the Advanced County Commissioner Program after completing a year of coursework. During the conference, I participated in policy discussions through the Federal Policy, Future Technology, and Water and Environmental Sustainability committees. I also received recognition from FAC President Michelle Lincoln for my advocacy in these committees.
National Association of Counties Annual Conference
I attended the National Association of Counties conference with three objectives: to better understand data center development at the national level, identify coastal resilience strategies, and learn how other counties are addressing challenges similar to those facing Manatee County.
I learned how New Orleans builds upon a century-old drainage system by using stormwater pumps, levees, and related infrastructure to reduce the risk of flooding. Although Manatee County’s stormwater system relies primarily on gravity-driven discharge, some of these practices may be adaptable on a smaller scale to benefit communities such as Cortez, Rubonia, and Bradenton. I am connecting County staff with public works officials in New Orleans to explore practical resilience projects and potential funding opportunities.
The data center sessions at the FAC and NACo conferences helped inform my policy memorandum scheduled for the July 28 agenda. The memorandum recommends a moratorium on data center development, a prohibition on all public incentives, and further review by the Planning Commission. I encourage residents to review the agenda materials through the links below.
Infrastructure Projects In the District
Below are several major infrastructure projects and their anticipated timelines. Please note that all timelines are quarterly estimates and may be affected by weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Fall 2026
Cortez Road water line relocation
Manatee Avenue water line relocation
Temporary pipe removal beginning in late summer or early fall 2026
Opening of King Middle Park, tentatively named Bollettieri Park
Spring 2027
Fall 2027
Work on the 75th Street West expansion during the remainder of 2026 will focus on underground utility relocations. In 2027, more surface-level construction will begin. Once crews begin median replacement and road resurfacing, the project will be in its final stages.
Spring 2028
Maritime Museum reopening
Summer 2029
The Cortez Bridge project begins this July and is scheduled to conclude after 1,200 days, or approximately summer 2029. This is a state project managed by the Florida Department of Transportation and coordinated with the County.
In June, I successfully advocated for using the Seafood Shack property north of Cortez Road as a construction staging area. This decision protects residents and businesses south of Cortez Road, including Tide Tables, while using a vacant property that is more convenient for construction activities. It will also reduce road crossings and improve safety.
Safe Streets for Manatee
While projects above are the high-dollar high-visibility efforts, they do not include the hundreds of smaller projects within the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that make a meaningful difference in our neighborhoods.
This year I have successfully advocated for the creation a category of infrastructure projects that are now coming to fruition in the district. Known currently as transportation safety improvements, these are low-cost projects that aim to improve pedestrian safety, reduce fatalities on our roads, and encourage slower speeds on county-owned streets. Examples include:
Harbor Road safety improvements
Raised crosswalks on Riverview Boulevard
New sidewalks on 59th Street West
As the initial phase of the effort begins to show meaningful results, I am working with our Public Works staff to find opportunities to replace more expensive projects in our CIP with low-cost safety projects that will have a major impact on quality of life across the county.
Funding Road Resurfacing
Increasing funding for road resurfacing was a priority of mine during my campaign. This year, I am proud to say the Board is delivering. Resurfacing funding for FY 2027 will increase from $6 million to around $12 million. This was accomplished by eliminating some new vehicle purchases in the Fleet Services Division and reprioritizing those funds for roads.
Also of note, since January Manatee County has used artificial intelligence and our existing vehicle fleet to evaluate roadway conditions. Cameras and sensors attached to County vehicles are mapping road conditions and developing a prioritized list of future resurfacing projects. This work will identify everything from missing pavement markers to potholes and poor grade conditions. In future years, this will ensure our resurfacing efforts are more data-driven than ever before. A report on this effort is due to the Board this fall.
Light Up Manatee
Light Up Manatee was established in 2023 to improve lighting and enhance pedestrian and vehicle safety. As the program expands into my district, I have heard your concerns that the design of the lights should be compatible with the neighborhoods they are in.
In response, I have asked Public Works staff to pause all Light Up Manatee projects in my district and schedule a public discussion for August 25. You may see some work in progress but bear with us as the pause takes effect. This will provide an opportunity for community input and consideration of design changes to the street light design.
County Budget Discussions
This year’s budget discussions have focused on finding opportunities to identify what is necessary to keep the lights on while cutting others that are not truly needed. Those discussions with staff have involved looking at small counties like DeSoto and Hardee while also critically evaluating outcomes from our own services. Some items I have supported cutting include nonprofit funding, contracts for services, new vehicle purchases, new infrastructure projects over maintenance projects, the elimination of one deputy county administrator position, and a hiring freeze throughout the county. Through this process, approximately $20 million in reductions and cost savings have been identified in the FY 2026 budget annd expected to continue into FY 2027.
I believe the County’s budget requires a correction to reflect slower growth and changing fiscal conditions. Having long advocated for responsible spending reductions since my first year in office, I am encouraged by this year’s progress in making those spending cuts. Budget discussions will continue through September. Please use the links below to access meetings and contact my office with any requests you may have.
Manatee County Board Meetings
The Manatee County meetings webpage can help you track agenda items and stay informed about your local government. Click the button above to access our meeting page. Below are the next few meetings coming up on our calendar:
Regular Meeting: Tuesday, July 28, 9 a.m.
Budget Meeting: Thursday, July 30, 9 a.m.
That’s all folks! I am always looking for opportunities to connect with residents. If your community would like me to attend a meeting or event to discuss any issues please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact my aide, Maria Zuleta, at Maria.Zuleta@mymanatee.org.