County Commission — District 3: David Zaccagnino

Age: 46

Hometown: Holmes Beach

Occupation: Financial Advisor at Raymond James

Political party: No party affiliation

About: David Zaccagnino is a former environmental chemist with theFlorida Department of Environmental Protectionsand currently a financial advisor for 17 years. He has degrees in chemistry and master of business from Florida State University. He is married with 3 children in Manatee County schools, and has been involved in almost every imaginable community organization over the last 15 years. Zaccagnino served as a Holmes Beach city commissioner for nine years, and coaches soccer and T-ball at the Anna Maria Community Center. He has served on many boards and committees involving the five cities included in Manatee County District 3. Zaccagnino is registered as an independent. 

Why are you running for office?

Coming from a military family and Jesuit educated, I have always believed in public service. I have done it from the day I moved to Anna Maria Island, not just because I’m running for an office. I believe I am the only one in this race with the skills, vision and experience to accomplish what is needed for the residents of Manatee County. To me, being part of the solution in my community is a passion. I want to make things better for my neighbors where they work, live and play. I want our quality of life to improve now and in the future for my three children. I am the only one in this race that is not taking any political action committee money, dark money, special interest money or being maneuvered by outside forces that are trying to get power on the board. My only special interest is you, the real people of Manatee County. I am ready on day one to roll up my sleeves and get to work for you. 

What do you believe will be the biggest issues that will arise due to expected growth in Manatee County?

There are 4 major issues in Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island and West Bradenton which I have successfully dealt with in Holmes Beach. They are growth, traffic, the environment and the budget. The islands have been a microcosm of what is happening in the county — and in Florida. Florida has overtaken New York as the third most populous state and its growing pains need to be addressed with balance, not extreme partisanship. The county has 50,000 new residents, $47 million less in the budget, 300 fewer employees and our infrastructure is failing. As a successful businessman and legislator, I was able to balance the budget, have the lowest taxes in Manatee County, and successfully address the needs of my growing city. It takes hard work, communication and relationship building on all levels to actually get things done. I have all that in place and the proven experience to attack problems now. My opponents have no experience and it will take them years to even get a handle on the specific issues.  

What are the biggest opportunities within your district?

With growth and change comes opportunity. Do I wish Manatee County and the barrier islands were the same as when I moved here 17 years ago? You bet I do, but that’s not reality and we have to deal with change in a positive and balanced way. With growth and change, comes the opportunity for better business with good jobs, better housing with more environmentally friendly runoff, landscaping and features, better zoning and code enforcement, improved police safety and improved quality of life issues. Specifically the biggest and most controversial opportunities in District 3 would be IMG and the15,000 housing units that are being built across the bay from Longboat and Anna Maria Those are new opportunities along with tourism and local small businesses that we have always had on the barrier islands.

What are your thoughts on barrier islands receiving a larger share of potential surtax dollars?

Well it would be nice because I understand when an island city like Longboat Key swells during season or on a holiday weekend, but it cannot be done because the share is based on permanent population and the calculation would have to be changed in the state statue. However, as the District 3 representative, I would consistently lobby the rest of the board for funds in dealing with the impacts of safety, the environment, tourism and quality of life.

How will you work with “the Four Mayors” who have partnered to highlight barrier island issues.

I know all  of the island mayors personally and would work with them well. Over the years I have attended hundreds of meetings and have been a part of the Barrier Island Elected Officials Committee, the Council of City Governments, the Island Transportation Planning Organization, the Manasota Planning Organization, Palma Sola Scenic Highway Committee, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program and Keep Manatee Beautiful, among others. It is a steep learning curve to follow and understand the issues and dynamics concerning the Barrier Island cities not to mention the involvement and experience that I have with the city of Bradenton and the county. Because of this experience which I only have, it will enable me to champion the issues and concerns of the island mayors to the county and state. The four mayors recently came up with 12 traffic solutions — and that is a perfect example.

Could you please talk about three issues you deem most important that you already haven't addressed in the questions above?

I think that the most important issue which I can relate is my day to day involvement in dealing with barrier island issues. I live it every day, as you do. I understand the traffic, the growth, the economy, and the quality of life concerns. My opponents don't live here and don't quite understand the impacts which effect our lives during season and on major holidays. I have been a part of the successful trolley system on Anna Maria, written grants to increase our tree canopy and become a Tree City USA, saved green space by building pocket and dog parks, preserved estuaries like the Ungarelli and Grassy Point preserves, managed tight budgets over the years while keeping taxes low, increased public safety while working with police departments and marine services, and managed growth in a balanced and conservative way without lawsuits. It is crucial that an Islander represent our district in the years to come. Big decisions will be made over the next four years that deal with bridges, traffic, tourism dollars, growth, the environment, and business. I have the proven experience to manage these difficult and developing issues.