October 20, 2026 - Regular Meeting - 2026-10-20 09:00:00

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting on October 20, 2026, included several procurement and spending matters. The board unanimously approved the $14.03 million purchase of approximately 554.5 acres for Myakka Valley Preserve from two owners, with associated FY2027 budget amendments funded through Environmental Lands program funds. The acquisition agenda also included a $2.05 million purchase of 156.41 acres from the Shelley and Chilton Trust for Bunker Hill Preserve, plus a budget amendment for site operations and a ranger position; the transcript records the presentation and discussion but cuts off before any vote is shown. Commissioners discussed the Myakka purchase price relative to appraisals and potential cattle-grazing leases, fencing, management costs, and liability. Staff also presented a proposed license agreement with Sema Construction, Inc. for county property in Cortez to support the delayed Cortez Road bridge replacement; the discussion covered construction staging, traffic and neighborhood impacts, and a contractor commitment to waive roughly $1.4 million in related claims, but the available transcript does not show the board’s final action.

The consent agenda passed unanimously after discussion of revisions to the county’s cross-connection/backflow-control program, including alignment with Florida administrative rules and biennial testing for certain residential devices. Staff said it would research testing intervals and related concerns for possible future consideration. Separately, staff described preliminary animal-shelter planning estimates—not an award or approval—including about $1 million for design and roughly $7 million for one proposed kennel building, or just over $21 million for three buildings if built together. No vendor selection or contract award for that project is captured in the transcript.