With one no, Manatee County approves $1.3 billion budget

All but one Manatee County commissioner approved a $1,368,296,426 net budget and $3,577,708,037 gross budget (including reserves and grants) for fiscal year 2026.

While Commissioner Tal Siddique referred to the process as a “lively debate” that resulted in a budget that will “solve some problems for residents,” Commissioner Bob McCann only had one word to say — No.

McCann fought to lower the millage rate at the Sept. 10 budget meeting, but when it came time to vote for that lowered millage at the final meeting Sept. 22, he said “No” to that, too. 

Earlier in the month, the board agreed on a .05 millage reduction, which would save property owners $15 a year on a $300,000 home and rises or falls based on the home’s value.

The millage was cut three out of the past four years — by .2 mills in 2021, .3 mills in 2022 and .15 mills in 2024. 

“The millage is still way too high,” he said. “With all these reserves, we probably could’ve given every Manatee County property owner $1,000 and still been above the state requirement for cash reserves.” 

McCann also noted what he called too much bloat stemming from a top heavy administration and too many workers. In addition, he said the budget did not serve the residents in District 5 without Lorraine Road being funded. 

McCann was willing to take funding from other projects to widen Lorraine Road. 

“District 5 did not get its proportionate share,” he said. “All they did was take money away from Lorraine Road and give it to projects that aren’t necessary.” 

The projects McCann cited were building trails over roads and installing the roundabout on University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard that a faction of Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club residents have vehemently opposed. 

However, the other six commissioners approved the budget without much discussion outside of Commissioner Jason Bearden, who once again questioned why the county is holding onto nearly $1 billion in reserves.

Chief Financial Officer Sheila McLean held her ground that $871 million of the reserves are designated as restricted funds.

 McCann argued that doesn't make sense because the county's cash balance is $720,420,722.

At $1,368,296,426, the fiscal 2026 budget is 3% higher than the fiscal 2025 budget. 

The largest investment within the budget is going towards Public Safety, which accounts for 26.64% of the overall budget or $364,488,713.

The largest source of funding is coming from property taxes, which account for 33.87% or $463,381,406 of the budget, and service charges are a close second covering 33.28% or $455,316,508 of the budget.