Manatee County Commission

A controversial proposal that would have required nonprofits receiving Manatee County funding to verify they are not serving undocumented immigrants was withdrawn Tuesday after drawing widespread public opposition and little support from commissioners.

If approved, the measure would require nonprofits to certify that county funds are not used to serve those individuals, a change that could affect at least 86 organizations receiving more than $26 million annually from Manatee County Government.

The Myakka City resident, who was elected to represent District 1 in 2024, was known for her dedication to constituents and focus on land use, the environment and government accountability.

Adam Johnson is seeking a seat on the Manatee County Commission. He said he objects to high property taxes and overdevelopment in the county, claiming current county leaders are wasteful.

How law enforcement struggles to rein in illegal “adult arcades,” told through the saga of Spin Fun Arcade.

Manatee officials say that SB 180 has hamstrung them when it comes to protecting the county's natural resources.

Manatee County’s grassroots Republican commissioners, elected on promises to slow runaway growth, have found themselves in a pitched battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis and the developers aligned with his administration.

County commissioners had wanted to reinstate tougher rules on building near wetlands that had been rescinded by a previous board. But threats from the state caused them to back down.

The commissioners said the curfew is in response to late-night crime involving young people. A vote will be held at an upcoming meeting.

The county commission's 5-1 vote comes after it learned its fluoridation system has been broken since 2021, and no fluoride has been actively added since then.

Commissioners voted to bring an ordinance on removing fluoride from the water supply at a later date. The county must also consider repairing the current fluoridation system.

The topic is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting. If commissioners vote to follow the guidance of Florida's surgeon general, Manatee would join more than a dozen other local governments to end the practice.