County Commission reaffirms prayer before meetings

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to opening meetings with prayer, after a group asked the board to end the practice earlier this month.

The group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said the practice violates the idea of separation of church and state.

However, Manatee County Chief Deputy County Attorney Jim Minix told commissioners he does not believe the practice of praying before meetings violates any laws.

“We’re not trying to impose any particular religion on the public or at the meeting,” Minix said. “We try very hard to make it as open and non-denominational as possible.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].