Manatee County Commissioner Jason Bearden called Tuesday for a quick policy reversal, and asked for a 60-day timeline to vote on a way to raise impact fees on new development so that the county can address a dire need for money to address road congestion woes.
The vote was among the first big decisions for Manatee County’s newly constituted board after last month’s general elections, and is counter to a decision last February to increase impact fees by only 50% over four years. Bearden seeks to increase impact fees to the full amount allowed by Florida law.
“I tell you what,” Bearden said at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. “How much time has been stolen from me getting in my car and driving an hour and a half driving from point A to point B? That’s a dadgum curse. I can’t buy any more time back on this earth and yet I get it stolen day after day after day after day, and that’s a curse. So now its time to reverse the curse, and I hope I can get the support of this board.”
Commissioners also approved a $44.2 million budget for a new racquet and aquatic center at the Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, established a $2.4 million budget for new dog kennels at the Manatee County jail and set the tone for the county’s annual legislative priorities list headed into the new year.
The board also selected recently re-elected Commissioner George Kruse as board chairman for 2025.
Manatee County plans to build a new racquet and aquatic center at the Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
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Manatee County set to raise impact fees for new development
Noting frustration with traffic jams when driving in Manatee County, Bearden adamantly advocated to reverse course and immediately raise the planned impact fee increase to 100%. Most board members seemed to agree, although they reeled in his call for immediate action.
Other commissioners expressed a desire to adhere to legal best practices for making the necessary policy changes, to prepare for any legal challenge from developers who would be required to pay more fees before they can develop property in Manatee County as a result of the policy reversal.
The board agreed to discuss the matter further during a workshop meeting Jan. 7.
“I think its about time that Manatee County government sets the rules,” Bearden said. “Our roads are at D level … but yet we are still approving projects time and time again. So when is enough? When are we going to take a stand? When are we going to stand up boldly and take a stand for doing what’s right, not what’s popular for a few individuals.”
Budget set for new Premiere Sports Campus racquet and aquatic center
Commissioners also approved a $44.2 million maximum price for construction of a racquet and aquatic center at the Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
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The facility will include competition and therapy swimming pools, 24 pickleball courts, including 14 that are covered, administration offices, restrooms, lockers and other facilities. The project is expected to take a little over a year and a half to complete.
New dog kennels at the Manatee County jail
A file photo from 2021 of dog kennels of the Bishop Animal Shelter, which has since been donated to Manatee County.
County commissioners set a $2.4 million maximum price for construction of a manufactured dog kennel and sandbag building at the Manatee County jail. Construction is expected to start in the second quarter of 2025 take a little over six months to finish.
The county is already moving forward with plans for construction of a larger kennel expansion at the Bishop Animal Shelter, although the project was delayed by issues with county contractors and recent hurricanes.
It is slated for completion by 2026 if not next year. The effort would also create 32 additional kennels at the county jail at a time that commissioners and advocates aim to shutter the Palmetto animal shelter because of concerns with the facility itself and the welfare of animals housed there.
Commissioners consolidate around top 2025 legislative priorities
Featuring three new commissioners elected during the November general election, Manatee’s board chose to focus efforts away from road projects as the county’s top legislative priority ahead of the 2025 state legislative session.
The legislative priorities help inform local state representatives about the county’s top funding needs during the next year.
Commissioners said the shift in focus to priorities such as watershed management following hurricanes, trails, a veteran’s park, and adjustments to a state law established in the 1970s that dictates how library advisory boards are structured are meant to provide local representatives easily actionable requests that are more likely to receive funding or support than road projects emphasized during previous years.
“I hate putting roads on this thing,” Kruse said. “… You showed two lists of what other counties got money for; none of it is roads. That’s lazy. There’s more important things and they get more traction because they create a narrative that can be pushed by our delegation. Like the veteran park, that’s a unique, great thing that you can get the right traction up there with the right people if you focus on it. You know, the trails, we have done very well on that.”
Kruse selected as 2025 Manatee County chairman
County commissioners voted unanimously to select Kruse as chairman of the 2025 board. Kruse has been on the board since 2020, and is the only incumbent commissioner re-elected this year.
Board members also selected current board Chairman Mike Rahn as chair of the SeaPort Manatee Port Authority chairman, and Commissioner Amanda Ballard as chair of the Economic Development Council.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County discusses raising impact fees more, sooner in reversal