Skip to main content

Tag: Manatee County Commission

County commission approves $2 million for City Pier project 

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Featured.

BRADENTON – Manatee County Commissioners have agreed to provide the city of Anna Maria with up to $2 million for the reconstruction of the hurricane-damaged City Pier walkway. 

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, county commissioners voted 6-1 in support of the city’s funding request, with Commissioner Amanda Ballard casting the only opposition vote. 

The county commission pledged the county’s financial support without a written agreement in place that ensures the county can install and operate a Gulf Islands Ferry stop alongside or near the rebuilt City Pier after it reopens later this year. 

Minus such an agreement, county commissioners George Kruse and Tal Siddique cautioned there would be repercussions if Mayor Mark Short and the Anna Maria City Commission ultimately reject a county-funded City Pier ferry stop. 

Accompanied by state and federal funds, the county’s contribution will help offset the anticipated $7.1 million to $7.8 million cost to replace the City Pier walkway that Hurricane Milton destroyed in October 2024. The estimated costs also include repairs and remediation for the still-standing pier buildings that survived the back-to-back hurricanes but experienced flooding, mold formation and other hurricane impacts that require attention.

Before the hurricanes struck, the public boat landing at the T-end of the City Pier served as a ferry landing for the two, open-air, 49-passenger Gulf Islands Ferry pontoon boats the county and its contracted ferry operator put in service in January 2024.

The first Gulf Islands Ferry landed at the Anna Maria City Pier on Jan. 14, 2024. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Still using the pontoon boats that travel on the Manatee River and the Intracoastal Waterway, the Gulf Islands Ferry service currently operates as a two-point system between the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier in downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach.

COUNTY FUNDS

The county’s contribution to the City Pier reconstruction project will be funded by the 6% tourist development tax the county levies on hotel, motel, resort and vacation rental stays of six months or less.

Last year, Manatee County invested $3 million in tourist tax revenues to purchase a new and larger ferry boat that features an enclosed passenger area and is expected to begin service soon. 

When presenting the city’s funding request to county commissioners on Feb. 10, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione noted the request was previously reviewed by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in June and the TDC members recommended county commission approval.

“If this is approved by the board, it would be 100% tourist tax proceeds that would pay for this,” Falcione said.

District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique said the county’s $2 million contribution would help address the frequent complaint that the three Island cities that generate a significant percentage of the county’s tourist development tax revenues don’t receive an equitable share of those county-controlled revenues.

The $2 million interlocal funding agreement between the county and the city is not contingent on an Anna Maria ferry stop.

“The mayor has acknowledged that the city will cooperate and work with the county to find a landing spot in that geographic area for the water ferry,” Falcione said. “We’re probably looking beyond 2027 to get that done because we’ve got to get that City Pier done first.”

Falcione said the Anna Maria ferry landing is not yet in the design phase, but he’s confident the city and the county will come to an agreement that allows that to happen. Falcione estimated the county-funded ferry landing will cost the county at least another $1 million. 

Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard opposed the $2 million funding agreement. – Manatee County | Submitted

Ballard, who also chairs the TDC, questioned the county committing $2 million to the City Pier replacement project without having a firm commitment from the city for a ferry stop. 

“What I hear you saying is not a very strong statement that the ferry will be able to land at the new pier as it did in the past,” Ballard said. 

County Commissioner George Kruse expects the city officials to approve an Anna Maria ferry stop. – Manatee County | Submitted

When addressing that concern, County Commissioner George Kruse said, “Here’s the reality. We never have any assurance of anything. However, we have relationships with our municipalities. Relationships are fragile. We’ve spent a lot of money in good faith on these boats because we had some assurance of a landing where these boats need to go. They’re not day cruises that we go out to the Gulf and come back after catching a few fish. They’re supposed to take people someplace and they’re alleviating the traffic on the Island more than they’re alleviating traffic for unincorporated Manatee County. 

“And if by chance we do not have that after we put $2 million into that pier, used our political capital up in Tallahassee to advocate for an appropriation and spent money on a larger, enclosed boat to get there, then that’s going to have a significant impact in terms of the trust factor between the municipalities. We’re spending this money in good faith that we’re going to have a place put this boat when it gets there. We have a great relationship with all three of those Island cities right now, but those relationships only last when they’re reciprocal in both ways. So, I would anticipate this not being an issue going forward,” Kruse said. 

County Commissioner Tal Siddique expects continued cooperation between the city and the county regarding a ferry landing. – Manatee County | Submitted

Echoing Kruse’s sentiments, Siddique said, “At the end of the day, trust is a two-way street. We’re willing to work with you if you’re willing to work with us. But after the investment we’ve made into this pier, if you’re not going to work with us, and you’re just going to spit in our faces, I am not going to work with any city in this county that does this to us.” 

Kruse made the motion to approve the execution of the up to $2 million interlocal agreement between the city and the county and Siddique seconded the motion. 

Mayor Mark Short addressed the county commission. – Manatee County | Submitted

Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short addressed the commissioners before they cast their votes. He said the city and the county have a good working relationship and he agrees that it’s in everyone’s best interest to maintain that relationship as the pier and ferry landing projects move forward. 

“I understand the concerns about that water ferry landing. We have been working with the county on different options and that will continue,” Short said. 

Short noted the pier replacement permits the city received from the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection require the new pier walkway to be built in the exact same footprint as the previous pier walkway. Short said those permits don’t allow the county’s ferry landing to be included as part of the walkway replacement project and the ferry landing must be pursued as a separate future project. 

THIRD FERRY 

When speaking to The Sun on Friday, Feb. 13, Falcione said the new ferry boat is expected to begin service soon between the Bradenton Riverwalk Pier and the Bradenton Beach Pier. He said the floating dock next to the Bradenton Beach Pier that currently accommodates the 30,000-pound pontoon ferry boats can also accommodate the new boat that weighs approximately 100,000 pounds. 

“The city of Bradenton Beach, led by Mayor Chappie, have been great partners. We are getting really close to putting the third ferry into operation – close as in this month. It’s paramount that we get this new boat in service. During the last couple weekends, the winds prohibited us from using the pontoon catamarans. If we had the third ferry running, it would have cut through those winds and chop. The number one priority is getting that third ferry into service,” Falcione said. 

Related coverage: FEMA obligates $3.59 million for City Pier project

Memories demolished along with Annie’s

Memories demolished along with Annie’s

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured.

CORTEZ – The demolition of Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop on April 16 marked a sad day in Cortez as years of memories for many were reduced to a pile of rubble.

More than a 70-year-old building, Annie’s held a wide array of meaning for those who came to watch the demolition. For some, it was the first stop for a day on the water for ice, beer, gas and bait; for others it was a spot to unwind on the patio for dinner and drinks and for many, it was one of the last standing local tributes to Florida heritage.

“They’re taking away everything that’s old Florida in Cortez,” Greg Hermes said. “What’s to say they won’t take away the village next?”

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
The excavator tore through Annie’s and the memoires created there. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Annie’s is on the Seafood Shack parcel that was purchased by the county on Dec. 31, 2024 for $13 million and is slated to become a public boat launch facility to be named Cortez Marina. Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and in favor of demolishing the hurricane-impacted building. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.

That vote followed a January directive by county commissioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code.

Standing across the street from the business he owned for 30 years, Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, watched with his daughter, Anna Gaffey, and 25-30 Cortez residents and friends as an excavator bucket tore through the building.

Within an hour, the building was demolished.

“I almost wish it had just come down in a hurricane so we wouldn’t have had to watch this,” Gaffey said.

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
Annie’s owner, Bruce Shearer (in hat), watches with friends behind the salvaged Annie’s sign as the building is demolished. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Many in attendance hugged Shearer and shook his hand while thanking him for the years of memories at Annie’s.

The large yellow Annie’s sign that hung over the door was caught in the rubble. Shearer walked across the street to retrieve it but was sent back from the site by a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy for safety reasons. One worker took the battered sign off the pile and brought it across the street to Shearer.

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
Annie’s owner, Bruce Shearer (in black shirt and hat), has a beer with friends to toast Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop. – Leslie Lake | Sun

A woman, who said she worked at Annie’s for eight years, tearfully said as she walked away, “I can’t watch this anymore.”

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
The demolition of Annie’s marked the end of an era. – Leslie Lake | Sun

Shearer had said he offered to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his own expense but was declined by the county.

“They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people,” Shearer said earlier this month.

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
Demolition debris from Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop is loaded into a dump truck for disposal. – Leslie Lake | Sun

During the demolition, attendees expressed anger at the Manatee County Commission and in particular, District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique, who represents Cortez. Some attendees were wearing stickers that said, “No Tal. Anyone but Tal, 2028.”

Shearer said he had extended an invitation through the person in charge of the demolition for Siddique to watch the building come down.

Siddique did not attend, but sent the following email to the Sun: “The future is still bright for the Cortez community. Today we can begin to move forward with plans to bring amenities the community has been asking for and do it in a way to be resilient against future storms.”

Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s building was “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of storm damage to the building.

“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said.

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
The excavator begins demolition of Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop. – Leslie Lake | Sun

In an April 9 email to The Sun, Manatee County spokesperson Bill Logan addressed the damage estimate and wrote: “The Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) on January 29, 2025, originally was shown as 45.8% on the building addressed as 4334 127th Street West. The other address shown at this location was 4330 127th Street West with 41.6% SDE. These 2 estimates at the same building were based on visual and high-water marks during the Substantial Damage Assessment.

“The engineering report was used to correctly identify the level of damage and this information was entered into the FEMA Substantial Damage Estimator. The new level of damage for the entire building was reflected on SDE report at 100% on 3/16/25. The Substantial Damage letter will reflect the 100% repair costs to building value.”

Memories demolished along with Annie’s
As the day wore on, less of Annie’s Bait and Tackle remained. – Leslie Lake | Sun

The Sun made a public records request on April 10 for the Substantial Damage letter and engineering report referenced by Logan, but as of April 16, nothing was received.

“We are saddened by all the losses caused by the busiest and most destructive hurricane season on record,” Logan wrote on April 9. “We will host nine outreach events to gather input from Manatee County residents on the future of this property and look forward to giving our community additional access to the water for boating and recreation.”

County sends Annie’s owners packing

County sends Annie’s owners packing

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.

In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.

“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”

Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”

Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.

“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”

He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.

“People have a lot of memo­ries there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”

Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memora­bilia.

“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”

Manatee County commis­sioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.

That vote followed a January directive by county commis­sioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recom­mendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.

Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.

Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.

“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”

County sends Annie’s owners packing

County sends Annie’s owners packing

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – While Manatee County commissioners have not set a demolition date for Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop, they gave Annie’s former owners an April 7 deadline to remove their personal items from the property.

In a March 7 certified letter to Annie’s former co-owner Bruce Shearer, county Project Manager Jeff Anthony wrote: “This letter serves as notification that any personal property you wish to claim from Annie’s Bait and Tackle must be retrieved within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.

“Memorabilia, sentimental items and fishing supplies are being safely stored in large tote containers in a locked facility. Please contact me to coordinate picking up the totes. Any items remaining on the property on the 30th day will be deemed abandoned.”

Manatee County Information Outreach Manager Bill Logan wrote in a March 27 email to The Sun: “Unfortunately, there is no set date (for demolition) at this time.”

Outside the iconic bait shop, well-wishers have left flowers and messages of support.

“I think it’s great that the community is doing that for us,” Shearer said. “I want to thank all those people.”

He said people in Cortez aren’t happy about the pending demolition of the building and business he’s owned since 1996.

“People have a lot of memo­ries there,” Shearer said. “I had a plumber working at my house, he’s probably in his 40s and he told me when he was a little kid, he used to go to Annie’s to get shrimp for fishing.”

Shearer said people have asked him for Annie’s memora­bilia.

“I still have stock. I’m doing an inventory,” he said. “What I think I might do is have shirts made that say, ‘January 1, 1996 – March 4, 2025, RIP Annie’s.’”

Manatee County commis­sioners voted 6-1 on March 4 against entering into a lease agreement with Annie’s and for the demolition of the 70-year-old Cortez landmark, sited on the Seafood Shack parcel that the county recently purchased for $13 million, which is slated to become a public boat launch facility. Commissioner Jason Bearden cast the dissenting vote.

That vote followed a January directive by county commis­sioners to have staff explore options to bring Annie’s up to code. Following recom­mendations and a review by a structural engineer, the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) and fire officials, Manatee County Commissioners voted for the demolition.

Shearer said the county declined his offer to make repairs to both the building and the county-owned docks at his expense.

Spray-painted on the side of Annie’s is “45.8% FEMA,” referring to the evaluation of damage to the building.

“It was less than 50% and we should have been able to fix it up,” Shearer said. “They (Manatee County) had a plan. They put us through a dog and pony show to appease people.”

County decides to demolish iconic Annie’s in Cortez

County decides to demolish iconic Annie’s in Cortez

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – Following recommenda­tions and a review by a structural engineer, fire officials and the Florida Department of Emergency Manage­ment, Manatee County commissioners have voted 6-1 to demolish the historic Annie’s Bait and Tackle Shop.

Commissioners had requested options to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s up to code on Jan. 28, but the officials deemed the building as having catastrophic damage beyond the FEMA 50% guidelines due to damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year.

As an alternative to the present struc­ture, Manatee County staff presented a rendering of an elevated temporary food sales trailer that could be operated in its place. The cost to the county for the structure, which would include a sitting area and ADA compliant bathrooms, was estimated to be between $150,000 and $250,000, exclusive of incidental costs. Design and permitting for the new structure was estimated at between 18 and 24 months.

That proposal was rejected by Annie’s co-owner Bruce Shearer as a non-viable business model for him.

“As I look at your renderings, my numbers say I would do one-third of the volume I did before, with the same labor costs,” Shearer said. “The numbers aren’t there in any way, shape or form.”

Shearer said he could repair the current building for under $5,000.

“As it stands right now under your proposal, I’m done,” Shearer said. “It won’t financially work. You’ll lose $250,000 and I’ll lose $100,000 and it will be failed within two months, I guarantee you.”

Shearer said that Annie’s consists of multiple businesses – tackle, bait, food, gas, marine supplies, retail and a bar.

“None of those can make a living on their own,” Shearer said. “With that little takeout thing and the tackle, that’s two out of seven. There’s no way your proposal can work, that’s why I can’t go with it.”

“The reason I’m backing out of this is it is going to cost me about $100,000 to restock the floor and building,” he said. “For you to put in $200-250,000 and me to put in $100,000 in your proposal is stupid money.”

Commissioner George Kruse characterized the county’s proposal as basically a food truck, with some picnic tables and a portable toilet outside.

“That’s what this effectively is because that’s what can be provided on this site at the current time,” Kruse said, adding there is currently no dockage for boats to pull up for bait and gas.

“We’re creating an unviable business that Bruce himself has said, and we’re asking them to pay rent they can’t afford on a property that won’t cover the rent because of the business plan being compressed and we’re being asked to do this with tax dollars,” Kruse said.

Kruse said the county is not subsidizing other private businesses that incurred storm damage.

“It doesn’t make sense for us up here to pick winners and losers and subsidize private industry while other private industries are out of business, and then could come in here and ask, “Where’s my help in reopening my restaurant or storefront?’ ” Kruse said. That’s just fact. We have to look at being smart with people’s tax dollars.

“If we choose to take it down, we are choosing to eliminate the nostalgia of the area,” Terry Ingham said during public comment.

Shearer’s daughter, Anna Gaffey, said, “I don’t know why we were strung along for months.”

Commissioner Carol Felts sug­gested a public/private partnership could offer a solution.

“We might be able to work something out in the future,” she said, adding, “We can’t be unfair to other businesses that had damage from the hurricane as well.”

“The actual report that we conducted, the recommendation says that the building be replaced with a new structure. That’s the crux of the matter here,” County Commissioner Tal Siddique said. “Can you fix it? That report clearly says no. What the county is proposing and telling you what your business should look like is not what you want it to look like. The temporary structure isn’t Annie’s and it isn’t addressing the needs of the community there. Fire inspection concurs. They both ultimately recom­mend replacing the structure.”

Commissioner Jason Bearden asked if there is a possibility of selling the specific portion of the Seafood Shack property to Shearer.

Kruse said he was not opposed to that idea, but didn’t think it was a conversation for that meeting.

“After my tour and seeing the county’s damage assessment and independent fire marshal’s assess­ment, I think it’s clear the facts show that it can’t be salvaged,” Siddique said.

He said a reality of living in a coastal district could mean knowing that way of life could go away due to storms.

“The reality is this is not something I feel I can support because we’re bailing out a private business which I think runs counter to my principles how I think government and private business should operate,” Siddique said. “I can’t support a lease and I can’t support anything that doesn’t support a full rebuild.”

Siddique made a motion to direct staff to decline entering into a lease agreement with Shearer, and to move forward with the demolition of the property. The motion passed 6-1 with Bearden casting the dissenting vote.

Related coverage:

Siddique discusses future of Cortez Marina at town hall meeting

 

County to review Annie’s rebuild

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez, Featured.

BRADENTON – Following a strong showing of public support for the continued existence of Annie’s Bait and Tackle at a Jan. 28 Manatee County Commission meeting, coupled with the insistence of County Commissioner Jason Bearden, the commission voted unanimously to direct county staff to explore ways to bring the hurricane-damaged Annie’s up to code.

“I feel like we keep beating around the bush on this,” Bearden said. “We’ve had people come here in public comment today that have made the decision they want to keep Annie’s. Therefore, let me show you how to get it done. County Administrator (Charlie) Bishop, I need you to figure out how to get that building up to code so that Annie’s can continue, period. No ifs, ands or buts.”

Annie’s Bait and Tackle is part of the Seafood Shack parcel that was recently purchased by the county with the intent of creating a public boating facility.

“Do I have a consensus on the board to get that done right now or do I have to make a motion?” Bearden asked.

Commissioner George Kruse then asked Bishop to work with his staff to bring back a discussion about the feasibility of bringing Annie’s up to code.

“They have to speak with FEMA. They have to talk to general contractors, and they have to figure it out.” Kruse said. “It’ll be as soon as feasibly possible they will bring it back.”

“Let’s make a motion then to confirm it,” Bearden said. “I want to make a motion to have something back with regards to what we need to do to get Annie’s back up to code within 30 days.”

That motion passed unanimously at a vote of 7-0 and brought applause from meeting attendees who spoke in support of Annie’s.

Annie’s co-owner, Bruce Shearer, spoke to The Sun after the meeting.

“They’re giving us 30 days, so I’ll be getting a bid from my contractor and bringing it back to them,” Shearer said. “I’m hoping to put it back together and get back to business.”

Shearer said there were approximately 75 people who attended the meeting in support of Annie’s.

“That did wonders,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

Prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, Deputy County Administrator Brian Parnell gave commissioners an update on what is now being called the Cortez Marina property.

“Before the acquisition was finalized, the hurricanes, as anyone can see, caused extensive damage destroying the boat slips, the restaurants and the bait and tackle,” Parnell said.

Parnell said that structural inspections revealed that all the repairs would be beyond 50% of the structures’ value, which triggered FEMA regulations ensuring that any build back would be to current code.

“The current status is they are red-tagged, they are condemned,” Parnell said.

“We went under contract to acquire this pre-storm with the intention of resigning the leases,” Kruse said. “Annie’s bait shack structure is condemned and doesn’t exist. I must adhere to higher powers telling us people cannot be in there and we cannot pull permits. We can’t in good conscience issue permits and ignore FEMA and hold other people that cross the 50% threshold to a different standard on their residences.”

Kruse said the property is going to be fenced off to demolish the Seafood Shack, eliminating parking.

“There’s no boat docking there so there’s no use for a bait shack at the moment,” he said. “We had this discussion, we wanted to work in good faith with Bruce and Annie’s Bait Shack to try to put them there to keep some historical heritage associated with Cortez village in place but we cannot sign leases on condemned buildings. That’s not wise to do, and it’s not legal to do.”

“We did have those discussions prior to the hurricanes when the previous board directed us to purchase the property, we discussed how we could keep operations going on the marina for the two and a half years before we can build something new and get something in place,” Parnell said. “Post-hurricanes, it’s not an option for us anymore.”

“I know that’s not what people want to hear,” Kruse said. “The reality is we do not have a physical structure to sign a lease for. Once this is up and running, this is a good conversation to have with us, how do we refill the location which is inclusive hopefully of Annie’s Bait Shack, which I will keep beating that drum for in two and two and a half years, because I want to keep that historical component associated with this property.”

PUBLIC COMMENT

“My dad is Bruce Shearer, he owns Annie’s. I understand what you’re saying about the building,” said Anna Gaffey. “My parents Bruce and Kim bought Annie’s Bait and Tackle Jan. 1, 1996. They worked hard over the years to turn it into a place where families could come and eat, buy bait and tackle and learn about fishing.”

Gaffey said Annie’s means a lot to the community.

“Over the years, they have watched kids coming in to buy bait and have watched them grow up and now we get to see those kids all grown up bringing their kids to eat and get bait,” she said. “It’s one of the pleasures of being in a business like this, generations of love and passion for fishing.”

“Annie’s has always been an older historic building and that’s what’s important out there. We’d like to see if it’s at all possible to protect it,” Karen Bell said.

“Annies is very important to Cortez,” tour boat Capt. Kathe Fannon said. “It’s historical and a lot of people depend on it. I think taking two and a half years is not acceptable. I think we need to give him the opportunity to put the place back together.”

Shearer said he could fix the hurricane damage for about $5,000.

“If we hadn’t been hit by the hurricanes, you’d have let me stay,” Shearer said. “Five grand, that’s all the damage I’ve got.”

Following the meeting Shearer said, “It’s an iconic place, I hope to get longer than two and a half to three years.”

Manatee County Election Results

Kruse, Siddique, Felts, McCann win Manatee County commission races

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – Republican candidate Tal Siddique won the District 3 Manatee County Commission seat, defeating Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker.

Incumbent Republican candidate George Kruse won the countywide at-large District 7 county commission seat, defeating Democratic candidate Sari Lindroos-Valimak.

Anna Maria Island voters helped determine the winner of the District 3 race, with District 3 encompassing the entire Island as well as the northern portion of Longboat Key, the village of Cortez and portions of unincorporated Manatee County and Bradenton.

Manatee County election results
Tal Siddique will serve as the next District 3 county commissioner. – Submitted

In the District 3 race, Siddique received 23,609 votes (60.72%) and Shoemaker received 15,197 votes (39.09%), according to the unofficial results posted at the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections website. Siddique will fill the commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

Island voters helped determine the winner of the countywide At-Large District 7 race in which Kruse received 142,920 votes (66.82%) and Lindroos-Valimak received 70,968 votes (33.18%).

Manatee County election results
George Kruse will serve another four years as the at-large District 7 county commissioner. – Submitted

Island voters also helped determine the winner of the non-party-affiliated District 3 school board race won by Charlie Kennedy. Kennedy received 21,094 votes (57.51%) and his opponent, Jonathan Lynch, received 15,583 votes (42.49%).

Supervisor of elections

In August, Island voters helped determine the winner of the Supervisor of Elections Republican primary race in which former elections office chief of staff Scott Farrington defeated Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee James Satcher.

Running unopposed in the general election, Farrington received 173,936 votes (96.85%) votes and he will serve as Manatee County’s next duly-elected Supervisor of Elections, taking over from Satcher on Jan. 7.

Other county races

In the District 1 county commission race, Republican Carol Ann Felts defeated Democratic candidate Glenn Pearson and non-party-affiliated candidate Jennifer Hamey. Felts received 35,651 votes (64.27 %), Pearson received 14,631 votes (26.37%) and Hamey received 5,192 votes (9.36%). Felts will fill the county commission seat vacated by Satcher in April, when he was appointed to serve as the interim supervisor of elections.

In the District 5 county commission race, Republican candidate Bob McCann defeated non-party-affiliated candidate Joseph Di Bartolomeo. McCann received 41,229 votes (72.4 %) and Di Bartolomeo received 15,717 votes (27.6 %). McCann will assume the county commission seat currently held by Commissioner Ray Turner.

In the non-party-affiliated District 1 school board race won by Heather Fulton, Fulton received 28,573 votes (57.57%) and Mark Stanoch received 21,060 votes (42.43%).

Manatee County voters approved a county referendum to increase from 5% to 6% the county tourist development tax collected on hotel, motel, resort and short-term vacation rental stays. On that referendum question, 141,803 county voters (68.04%) supported the tourist tax increase and 66,603 county voters (31.96%) opposed it.

Manatee County voters overwhelmingly supported renewing the school district’s 1-mill property tax assessment that generates additional property tax revenues for the county school system, with  171,321 county voters (82.55%) supporting the tax increase and 36,224 county voters (17.45%) opposing it.

State and federal races

In Manatee County, 121,234 voters (54.55%) supported Amendment 3 (legalizing recreational marijuana) and 100,999 voters (45.45 %) opposed the amendment to the Florida Constitution. The state amendment failed because it garnered 55.8% of the vote statewide, failing to meet the state’s 60% threshold.

In Manatee County, 121,814 voters (54.9%) supported Amendment 4 (an amendment pertaining to preserving abortion rights) and 100,066 county voters (45.1%) opposed the amendment. The state amendment failed because it garnered 57% of the vote statewide.

In Manatee County, incumbent Republican District 71 State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. candidate received 43,881 votes (59.9%) and his Democratic challenger, Adriaan DeVilliers, received 29,375 votes (40.1%).

In Manatee County, incumbent Republican District 16 U.S. Congressman Vern Buchanan received 141,756 votes (64.18%) and Democratic candidate Jan Schneider received 79,100 votes (35.82%).

In Manatee County, Republican incumbent U.S. Senate candidate Rick Scott received 136,300 votes (61.1%) and Democratic candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell received 83,392 votes (37.39%).

In the presidential race, 138,876 votes (61.45 %) were cast in support of Donald Trump and 84,555 votes (37.41%) were cast in support of Kamala Harris.

On Election Day, there were 281,798 registered voters in Manatee County, with 227,224 of those voters (80.63%) casting votes in the general election.

Voters speak out for water

Voters speak out for water

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time, Water Quality.

I knew that the citizens of Manatee County cared about water quality and preserving the coastal ecosystem. That was apparent when they voted to tax themselves for the Vote Water and Land Referendum in 2020. The measure passed by over 70% despite the fact that one political party opposed the initiative. As the Bradenton Herald reported at the time, “The measure will have a positive impact on generations of Manatee County families, allowing them to enjoy some of Florida’s most precious landscapes and resources.”

That was cause for celebration, but in the ensuing four years, a political shift caused me to question what I knew to be true. When voters in 2020 elected a slate of commissioners completely aligned with the development community, Manatee County’s path seemed dire in the eyes of this angler.

As I’ve mentioned in prior columns, at a time when we all need to be concerned about water quality and protecting the environment that provides us solace and is the basis of the local community, the government was taking us backward. This was a time when the county commission disregarded the will of the people and their own planning commission and labeled those who cared enough to show up and fight these draconian measures as Communists or radical climate organizers.

During the most recent election cycle, when those politicians backed by massive war chests from special interests looked to solidify their hold on the Manatee County Commission, I admit I was concerned. I worried that those who weren’t paying attention might vote for politicians with the largest and most political posters. That didn’t happen as every current commissioner save one lost to challengers who made water quality and environment a part of their platform. The lone commissioner who kept his seat was challenged by a current commissioner whose popularity was so low he changed districts to try and defeat the only voice of reason on the current board.

Now that we will have a majority on the commission who understands the value of water and natural resources come Jan. 1, maybe there’s an opening. Perhaps there’s the possibility of getting the development community on board to help address this elephant in the room.

Culbreath issues campaign letter

Culbreath issues campaign letter

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – April Culbreath, the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary candidate, did not respond to multiple interview requests made by The Sun, but on July 30, many Manatee County voters received an “open letter” from Culbreath regarding her campaign.

The three-page letter briefly mentions the lengthy disciplinary record she accumulated during her former career as a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Culbreath’s disciplinary record dates back to 2000, when her last name was Dugan, and includes multiple incidents that resulted in her being reprimanded and/or suspended without pay.

According to her 12-page Manatee County Sheriff’s Office professional standards resume and supporting MCSO administrative report documents, she was suspended without pay at various times for failing to respond and conduct an investigation as ordered by her supervisor, having sex while on duty, attending a wedding reception and being observed dancing in a suggestive manner while in uniform, using profane language while being disrespectful to a supervisor, failing to respond to a missing child call and allegedly punching a cosmetic surgery center employee while trying to obtain her personal medical records.

Her numerous written reprimands pertain to failing to secure and losing her service weapon near a picnic area in Bradenton Beach occupied by children and adults, driving a Sheriff’s Office vehicle to her out-of-county home without permission, failing to preserve evidence and misusing the Driver And Vehicle Information Database used by MCSO staff.

CAMPAIGN LETTER

The two copies of the letter provided to The Sun addressed each voter by the first name associated with their voter registration.

“My name is April Culbreath and as you are most certainly reading about my work as a deputy, I wanted to tell you my side of the story.

“First, I believe we have all sinned and fallen short in the eyes of our creator. I know I most certainly have. I have prayed for forgiveness for my shortcomings, and I know they only made me stronger.

“Second, I want to tell you about my experience working to keep you and your family safe as a Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy. Unless you have a first responder in your family, or have a best friend that is one, you probably don’t know the stress it puts on the entire family. My husband and children are no exception to the worry that comes from placing that badge on my chest and gun on my hip, leaving them behind, knowing every day could be my last.

“Well, one day, back in January of 2021, while on duty, a criminal fleeing from police ran me down. I was simply trying to arrest her and she tried to take my life. Ignoring verbal commands, the criminal fled the scene, accelerated at full speed and threw me across the hood of another patrol car and underneath an oncoming vehicle. I was rushed to the emergency room, neck broken, and am writing this letter knowing I am lucky to be alive today. I thank God each day for this small miracle.

“My husband, Duane, is a member of a longtime Manatee County family. He’s a fourth generation and our children will be the fifth generation of Culbreaths living here. Our people settled near Perico Bay, moved to Cortez and established the Cortez fishing village in the 1920s. Our family wants to make this community better. We have generations of Culbreaths to prove it.

“Personally, I have dedicated my life to serving our community. I took the oath to protect and defend our way of life. This is not an oath I take lightly and know, as a deputy, that promise could one day take my life. Now I am seeking to become a Manatee County commissioner, for the exact same reasons I became a deputy. I want to defend our home.

“I’m also no stranger to campaigns, having led our local Republican party and having been the founder of the Manatee County Trump Train.

“I wasn’t surprised when my opponent, fresh from Washington D.C., started attacking me with information that’s decades old, trying to impugn my service as deputy sheriff and detective.

“I also want you to know you can call me anytime with questions you have and I will be happy to answer them directly.

“My family and I are grateful to live in a place where neighbors still take care of neighbors and we pull together when times are tough. That’s the Manatee County I love and am fighting for. I hope you will join me in that fight,” the letter says.

Culbreath’s letter did not include a phone number, nor did it directly address any of her numerous work-related suspensions.

MEDIA RELATIONS

On July 24, Culbreath addressed her media interactions, or lack thereof, in a comment she posted at former Bradenton City Council member Gene Gallo’s Facebook page in response to Gallo’s support for opponent Tal Siddique.

“I have certainly tried to defend myself from the liberal media, however they refuse to publish my words,” she wrote.

On June 6, The Sun emailed Culbreath’s campaign address seeking her input for a District 3 campaign story. She never responded. The Sun emailed her campaign address again on July 29 and left a voicemail at her campaign phone number, again, with no response. Two other local journalists, Dawn Kitterman and Marc Masferrer, experienced similar non-responses with Culbreath and noted so on Facebook.

Siddique discusses county commission campaign

Siddique discusses county commission campaign

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – Tal Siddique is running against April Culbreath in the District 3 Manatee County Commission Republican primary race that will determine who faces Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker in the general election.

District 3 includes Anna Maria Island, Cortez and portions of Longboat Key and Bradenton.

Siddique moved to Bradenton three and a half years ago from the Virginia/Washington D.C. area. He seeks the commission seat currently held by Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who is now running for the at-large District 7 seat instead. Siddique recently stopped by The Sun office to discuss his campaign.

THE INTERVIEW

Why do you want to be the District 3 commissioner?

“I want to bring some fresh perspectives to the commission. I’ve been involved in many local issues. I got involved in county politics and saw there were a lot of decisions made by our District 3 commissioner that I disagreed with. I realized I wasn’t going to have an impact unless I ran for office,” Siddique said.

“I’m running on ethics, preserving our small-town feel and empowering people over special interests. I hope people are paying attention to how we conduct our campaigns. My opponent has conducted hers very negatively and she has very little to offer. There’s a lot of special interest money at play and they have no value. They only care about ensuring that they make a profit at everyone else’s expense.

“I bring the right skills, experience and temperament. I’m 30 years old but I’ve led a career for the Air Force building software and leading software teams. I’ve also managed complex budgets for a number of organizations and right now for the private sector I do the same thing, leading multiple software and product teams.”

Would you like to comment on April Culbreath’s disciplinary record with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office?

“She has a 30-year record of misconduct. A record like that is shameful. Committing those violations was unbecoming of a deputy and is unbecoming of someone seeking a position of power. I don’t think that kind of record reflects the values of our community.”

Do you support the county constructing a parking garage at Manatee Beach against the will of residents and city officials, but with the support of state legislators?

“I do not. I have not since day one and I’ve been at a number of parking garage protests. Parking at the public beach might fill up but you can find plenty of other parking spots the city of Holmes Beach provides, and they have a map and a website that shows where those spaces are. I don’t think parking is the main concern. The main concern is traffic. Building a parking garage is going to be very expensive, at $50 million minimum. I’d rather put that money toward other solutions.”

What are your thoughts on the Island-wide consolidation study requested by state legislators Jim Boyd, Will Robinson Jr. and others?

“I don’t believe the consolidation issue was approached appropriately. There has been a significant breakdown in the relationship between the city of Holmes Beach and the county and I think that’s primarily due to our current District 3 commissioner. I would like to normalize that relationship and the relationship with our state Legislature as well, and I think I can. I have good relationships with all three Island mayors and particularly with Mayor (Judy) Titsworth and Chief (Bill) Tokajer, who both endorsed me.

“The Island city millage rates are significantly lower than Manatee County, which is 6.23 mills. The county also has the least restrictive and most poorly written land development codes and the most poorly written comprehensive plan within our region.

“I do not believe consolidating the three cities into one city is going to provide any benefits. I also don’t believe consolidating the Island cities into Manatee County is the right solution. The Island people elected their city governments and they deserve to have them. As a conservative, I don’t believe in big government eating little government.

“Forcing Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach to get rid of their police departments would put more strain on our Sheriff’s Office. It’s going to be very costly as well. As far as consolidating city services, that’s a decision the residents and city officials should make.”

What should the county commission and school district do to lower property taxes?

“We are a strong Republican county and all these county officials claim to be fiscally responsible conservatives but they gladly spend the taxpayers’ money. From fiscal year 2022 to fiscal year 2023, we saw a $44 million increase in county property tax revenues without raising the millage. As property values increase, the county collects more revenues but doesn’t lower the millage rate. I would like to see us lower the millage rate by at least half, or by as much as we can, and I hope the school board can lower their taxes too.”

Do you feel there’s any excessive or unnecessary spending taking place at the county level?

“Absolutely. With respect to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), in my district, the 59th Street West expansion project is completely unwarranted and unnecessary. To spend $86 million to widen a road in that location is not a need, especially when there are other streets that need attention.

“Spending at least $50 million for the Holmes Beach parking garage is unnecessary. The county also plans to build new parking garages in downtown Bradenton, at the Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch and at the convention center in Palmetto. That’s hundreds of millions of dollars on parking garages. There’s a lack of focus with what’s happening with our Capital Improvement Plan. The county is also bonded $700 million in debt and it’s costing $40 million a year to pay that off.”

Siddique discusses county commission campaign
In 2023, Tal Siddique, center, participated in a Holmes Beach parking garage protest outside the county administration building. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Manatee County doesn’t regulate short-term vacation rentals. Should the county regulate vacation rentals?

“The Island cities have reasonable vacation rental regulations and occupancy limits and Governor (Ron) DeSantis vetoed a bill that would have prevented them from implementing and enforcing local policies. No one likes vacation rentals in their neighborhood except for the investors and large corporations that own them. Commissioner (Kevin) Van Ostenbridge said he has no solution and doesn’t plan to pursue vacation rental regulations. I’d like to see the county adopt something sensible that protects property rights for residents. At least look at what the city of Bradenton has done, which is a phone line residents can use to register complaints.”

What are your thoughts on the Gulf Island Ferry service?

“Having a larger, faster boat that can handle more inclement weather conditions will help, and I support that. I think there’s a desire for a ferry stop in Holmes Beach. The challenge is where? I think the Kingfish Boat Ramp probably makes the most sense. You can walk to the beach from there. And we need to make the ferries more practical for the Island workforce.”

Do you consider yourself to be more moderate than some current commissioners and candidates?

“I consider myself conservative. There tends to be this arms race to prove who’s the loudest and craziest and you see that playing out on the county board, which is why they talk about issues they have no impact on. I’m pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and I support Donald Trump. Those are things I stand for and believe in, but I also recognize that if a county commission gets too caught up in trying to be on TV you won’t get anything done locally. I ran because our commissioners are distracted and they’re not getting things done. I think you’re seeing that with my opponent, who has no policy positions on her website and can’t articulate her positions without help from her special interest backers.”

If elected, do you think you can successfully govern with your fellow commissioners?

“I think so. Fundamentally, most of us believe in the same values but there’s far too much special interest and developer money that swings elections and affects commission decisions. There’s no way they’d approve certain projects if it weren’t for the special interests and developer money. I plan to take a different approach than some of our current commissioners, which is to attack one another on the dais. Personal attacks and being combative with each other shouldn’t happen in board meetings. The negativity in politics has gotten worse and people don’t care for it.”

District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath

District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – The District 3 Manatee County Commission race reshaped by incumbent Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s switch to the District 7 at-large race sets up a Republican primary race between Tal Siddique and former District 7 candidate April Culbreath.

The winner of the Republican primary that concludes on Aug. 20 will face Democratic candidate Diana Shoemaker in the general election that follows.

District 3 represents all three Anna Maria Island cities, Cortez and portions of Longboat Key, west Bradenton, Bradenton and Rubonia.

District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath
Siddique

On June 3, Siddique provided The Sun with the following statement regarding Culbreath’s decision to exit the District 7 at-large race and enter the District 3 race after Van Ostenbridge switched races.

“Since entering this race in September 2023, I am proud to have sustained a conservative, grassroots movement behind me,” Siddique stated. “I am running my campaign as I have since the beginning with a focus on improving the quality of life for District 3 residents. I encourage readers to read the facts about my opponent’s disturbing police record and her poor performance as chair of the Manatee GOP, where she sought to benefit herself over the party. I don’t have to play musical chairs to better my chances of winning like other unqualified and unfit candidates. I am the only serious District 3 candidate with the community support needed to restore trust with the county government.”

Whitmore endorsement

On June 4, Siddique issued a press release announcing the endorsement he received from former Manatee County Commissioner, former Holmes Beach Mayor and current city commission candidate Carol Whitmore. The press release included this statement from Whitmore: “I have had the pleasure of getting to know Tal through his deep commitment to understanding all facets of Manatee County and through his active participation in numerous civic organizations, including the Bradenton Kiwanis. Tal’s family has deep roots in Manatee County, and I have personally known them and their community involvement for decades. Tal and his wife, Kristen Truong, embody the energy and passion we need from our young leaders to build a better future for Manatee County. I believe he is exceptionally qualified to represent his constituents on the Board of County

Commissioners, and I hope you will join me in supporting his candidacy.”

The press release also noted that Siddique received previous endorsements from Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer.

Culbreath campaign

According to her campaign website, “April Allison Culbreath has served Manatee County as a sheriff’s deputy for 27 years. Over the course of her 30-year career in public service, including three years in emergency medical services, she has served in almost every possible law enforcement capacity. She counts her greatest accomplishments to be her services as a Crimes Against Children detective and her volunteer work as deputy advisor to troubled Manatee County youth.

District 3 primary pits Siddique against Culbreath
Culbreath

“April entered the political realm in 2016, when she began volunteering locally for the Republican Party. She has served in multiple Manatee County Republican leadership positions. Now retired from law enforcement due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, she looks forward to continued service as a Manatee County Commissioner.”

Her campaign website also notes, “Together with her husband, Duane, she is raising three teenagers. April and her family are committed to their Christian faith and to the Manatee County community.”

Culbreath is currently named as the defendant in a civil lawsuit filed on May 20 regarding her actions as the chairperson of the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee. Incumbent committee member Michael Keegan filed the lawsuit seeking an emergency injunction to prevent Culbreath from removing an incumbent committee member without due process, denying a member’s access to a committee meeting, denying a committee member’s voting rights and eliminating the committee’s dual signature requirement for financial disbursements.

A lawsuit-related declaration filed by Keegan states the executive committee treasurer and secretary both resigned in December because of their civil and criminal liability exposure created by “Culbreath’s ongoing financial malfeasance and abuse of executive committee funds.”

Police record

The Sun emailed Culbreath’s campaign email account on June 6 seeking her comments on the District 3 race and some of the incidents cited below. As of press time, she had not responded.

Culbreath’s 12-page Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Employee Resumé lists several internal affairs investigations regarding her actions.

In 1999, Culbreath received verbal counseling as a disciplinary action pertaining to her responding to a call without being dispatched or notifying dispatch, and also for gathering information not included on MCSO forms.

In 2000, she received a letter of reprimand for failing to preserve evidence.

In 2001, she received a letter of reprimand for driving an MCSO vehicle out of the county to her residence without permission.

In 2004, she received a letter of reprimand for failing to properly secure her weapon in her holster, which resulted in her handgun falling out and being discovered on the ground.

In 2005, she was suspended 86 hours without pay after she failed to respond and conduct an investigation, as ordered by a supervisor.

In 2005, she was suspended for 129 hours without pay for having sex while on duty.

In 2006, she received a 387-hour suspension for allegedly attending a wedding reception and being observed dancing in a suggestive manner while in uniform.

In 2009, she received a 17-hour suspension without pay for disrespecting her supervisor by using profane and obscene language because she was called in to respond to an assignment.

In 2009, she received an 8.6-hour suspension without pay after she failed to respond to a missing child call as directed by her supervisor.

In 2011, she received a 258-hour suspension without pay for an off-duty incident in which she allegedly became involved in an altercation when obtaining her own medical records and allegedly punching an employee in the face.

In 2015, she received a verbal reprimand for the misuse of the Driver And Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D.) utilized by the sheriff’s office.

According to The Bradenton Herald, in 2010, Culbreath (then known as Dugan) was involved in a disciplinary case. Capt. Kristin Kennedy told investigators she kissed Det. Dugan the previous year and then had two subsequent intimate encounters with her.

Editorial: Selling access to the sand

Written by Sun staff on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.

Manatee County commissioners are on a roll when it comes to disappointing their constituents.

Despite overwhelming protests from the community, commissioners have approved $2.9 million for three pre-design criteria packages for three parking garages, one at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach.

Even Commissioner George Kruse, whom Island residents were starting to rally around, voted in favor of the budget amendment.

Commissioners’ intent with these packages is to seek a public-private partnership agreement for a private developer and builder to come in with a bid package to build and run these parking facilities. The reason a private company or investor would do such a thing, as was said on the county commission dais on May 14, is so they can profit from the paid parking facility.

There goes Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s supposed reason for going around Holmes Beach officials to build the parking garage at the beach, which was to give more people access to the beach. Instead, by this plan, only those willing to pay for the privilege of parking on Anna Maria Island will have access to the beach.

Van Ostenbridge already stated that he has no intention of seeking a reduced or free rate for Manatee County residents. Now he and the other five members of the county commission are actively spending tax dollars to build a revenue stream for the developers – and possible campaign contributors – they select at the expense of taxpayers and Manatee County residents.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth is the only Anna Maria Island mayor who has taken a stand against paid parking and doesn’t allow it in her city. Holmes Beach has the only free and truly accessible beach access left on Anna Maria Island and county commissioners have gone all the way to the state Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to make sure that it’s closed to only those willing to pay a premium to access the sand.

With the current slate of county commissioners, this is your tax dollars at work, something voters should remember at the ballot box in the Aug. 20 Republican primary, where many of our local elections are decided, and in the Nov. 5 general election.

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Featured, Taxes.

BRADENTON – A visit to Manatee County could soon cost tourists more, as the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) voted unanimously to recommend raising the county’s tourism tax from 5% to 6% at its April 15 meeting.

The TDC makes recommendations to the Manatee County Commission, which is scheduled to vote on whether or not to approve the increase at its Tuesday, April 23 meeting.

The tourist tax is often referred to as the “bed tax” because it is paid when anyone rents a short-term vacation rental in the county, such as hotel rooms, resort rooms, condo rentals, VRBO, Airbnb and similar accommodations, for a period of six months or less. 

“This is not a resident tax,” Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said. “This is paid for by the visitors that come in to our beautiful county. I’ve always told the media that there’s no better partnership than one that pays for an asset that appeals to a visitor and benefits the residents at no cost to the residents.”

Falcione explained that the money benefits both visitors and residents by offering maintenance, upgrades and marketing for several attractions, including:

  • Coquina Beach;
  • Bridge Street Pier and Anna Maria City Pier;
  • Grassy Point;
  • Anna Maria Bayfront Park;
  • Beach renourishment (1% of the current 5%);
  • Myakka History Center;
  • Bradenton Area Convention Center;
  • Bishop Museum;
  • Manatee Performing Arts Center;
  • Premier Sports Campus;
  • The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ); and
  • Gulf Islands Ferry (water taxi).

The tax also partially funds renourishment of Anna Maria Island’s beaches.

Falcione said the TDC does not plan to request more marketing dollars if county commissioners approve the 6% request, which would generate an estimated $6 million a year.

“You’re looking at a guy who doesn’t get too excited about breaking tourism records every year, because we have to be careful,” Falcione said. “I’m the weird tourism director around the state that is a less is more kind of guy. Our brand elements are low-rise, low-key detox environment; real authentic Florida. We don’t want bumper-to-bumper traffic in this beautiful community. The reality is that for 90 days a year, we’re dealing with bumper-to-bumper traffic.”

Falcione says the TDC will not spend money to promote the area during the busy spring season. He did say the TDC will invest in airline incentives so more visitors will choose SRQ and save the time involved in driving to and from airports in Tampa and St. Petersburg. 

In order for the county to request the additional 1%, it had to reach a threshold of $30 million in tourism taxes collected, which was achieved in 2023 by a narrow margin of about $90,000, and the tourism industry had to generate over $600 million, which was also achieved in 2023, with the total topping $625 million. If the commission approves the recommendation, it will take effect Aug. 1. The neighboring counties of Sarasota, Hillsborough and Pinellas are all at the 6% maximum tourist tax.

Kruse talks beach parking, Island consolidation

Kruse talks beach parking, Island consolidation

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

HOLMES BEACH – About two dozen people came out on March 20 to meet with Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, bringing their questions for the candidate, who is seeking re-election in November.

Kruse held a town hall meeting at the Island Branch Library where he answered every question posed, discussing everything from parking and traffic to the possible consolidation of the three Anna Maria Island cities.

On the subject of traffic and making the Island trolley service more efficient during peak times, Kruse said that if there’s traffic, the trolley is stuck in it the same as any other motor vehicle. He did say that he would look into the possibility of adding additional trolleys during peak times, such as over holiday weekends and spring break to help reduce the amount of time spent waiting for transportation that may be too full to accept more riders.

When the new Cortez and Manatee bridges are built, Kruse said he hopes that there will be an express lane – a third lane for emergency and transit vehicles.

“You’re not going to reduce the want of people to go to the beach, you have to get them out of their cars,” he said, adding that with the current situation, one lane in each direction, people won’t want to sit on a bus in traffic instead of in their vehicles. The way around that would be to have a dedicated express lane for those people to bypass congestion on the way to the beach. Kruse said he’s spoken with Florida Department of Transportation representatives about including an express lane in the design for the new bridges but hasn’t received a definitive answer.

When it came to talking about a parking garage and the availability of beach parking on the Island, Kruse said he doesn’t currently see the benefit in building a parking garage at the county-owned Manatee Beach. With paid beach parking now existing in Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria, he added that he believes it’s just a matter of time before Holmes Beach city leaders will have to reconsider their stance on paid parking.

Currently, Holmes Beach is the only Island city that does not allow paid parking. Speaking up during the discussion, Mayor Judy Titsworth said that she’s not in favor of charging for beach parking and will avoid it in Holmes Beach for as long as possible. She said she feels the beach should be free for everyone to access, not limited to those willing to pay to park to access the sand.

Though the city has an updated parking map on its website, the map does not show parking space availability in real time. Titsworth said that to install the sensors and develop the corresponding applications for use would cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” funds that the city doesn’t have to commit to the project. To complete the project, she said the parking would have to be paid parking, going against what she believes is in the best interests of the city.

When the conversation turned to the state study concerning consolidation of the three Island cities, Kruse said he’s unsure that anything will come out of it, but he thinks what would be in the best interests of the residents would be to leave the three cities as-is with the possibility of consolidating some services to save taxpayer money.

An ongoing Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) study was begun at the request of the Manatee County state legislative delegation and against the wishes of city leaders in the three cities. While city leaders said they would support the study for the purposes of potentially saving taxpayer funds, they don’t support the other three possibilities – consolidation of the three cities into one, or elimination of the three city governments and annexation of Anna Maria Island into unincorporated Manatee County or the city of Bradenton.

Kruse added that he can’t truly guess what state leaders plan to do with the results of the OPPAGA study because there’s no precedent for the state eliminating a municipality without cause, such as the municipality being financially insolvent, which is not the case in any of the three Island cities.

To hear what Kruse had to say about these issues and more, visit The Sun’s Facebook page to watch the town hall discussion in its entirety.

Guest Editorial: Wild AMI depends on us

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Guest column, Opinion.

Anna Maria Island provides more than pristine water and white sand beaches for residents and visitors. As one of Florida’s west coast barrier Islands, it is ecologically diverse and an important habitat for a variety of wildlife.

The Gulf provides abundant fish, mollusks and crustaceans that support a large population of bottlenose dolphins. Manatees, also known as sea cows, graze seagrasses in the Gulf and Sarasota Bay. Manatees have been listed as an imperiled species since 1967 and protected areas have been set aside for them in the Sarasota Bay.

The island is a sanctuary for sea turtles and shorebirds. About 90% of all sea turtle nesting in the United States takes place on Florida beaches. Manatee and Sarasota County host the highest density of loggerhead nests in the Gulf of Mexico. In 2022, there were 453 nests with a record of 35,850 turtle hatchlings and successful crawls to the Gulf. Shorebirds such as black skimmers, least terns and snowy plovers nest on Anna Maria Island from spring through early summer. Research has demonstrated that chronic disturbance from human activity around nesting birds has a negative impact on reproduction according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Shorebirds need space to nest, rest and feed undisturbed.

Like Anna Maria Island wildlife, visitors and residents depend on the water quality of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and the health of the beaches and they make an effort to maintain the beaches and swimming areas. AMI’s three cities are leading a combined effort to improve local water quality with the Islanders 4 Clean Water campaign. Locals serving with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring coordinate with county, state and federal efforts to conserve sea turtles and shorebirds. The Wildlife Inc. Education and Rehabilitation Center on AMI rescues and rehabilitates wild animals, and Mote Marine Laboratory cares for manatees, sea turtles and dolphins.

As stewards of Anna Maria Island’s resources and biological diversity, we are learning to make use of the earth’s natural resources, both renewable and non-renewable, in a manner that ensures sustainability and equity into the distant reaches of time. This attitude of stewardship requires full consideration of the potential environmental consequences of all development activities. It compels us to temper our actions with moderation and humility, realizing that the true value of nature cannot be expressed in economic terms. It is important for us to understand the natural world and its role in our collective development – both material and spiritual. Therefore, sustainable environmental management must come to be seen not as a discretionary commitment that we can weigh against other competing interests, but rather as a fundamental responsibility that must be shouldered – a prerequisite for spiritual development as well as the individual’s physical survival.

We must carefully evaluate the environmental impact as well as social requirements before deciding to develop a three-story parking garage on Manatee Beach.

– Eileen Jellison