- February 25, 2026
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Manatee County commissioners travel to Tallahassee to meet with legislators annually to discuss the county’s needs and priorities.
This year, residents, business owners and nonprofit leaders took a trip with them for Manatee County Day, which actually spanned two days — Feb. 4-5.
Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, said the trip was a great opportunity for the business community to get access to state leaders and showcase what Manatee County has to offer.
Senator Jim Boyd, Rep. Will Robinson, Jr. in District 71 and Rep. Bill Conerly in District 72 spoke with attendees and enjoyed Orange juice from Tropicana and shrimp and grits from the Anna Maria Oyster Bar.
Bringing a taste of Manatee County to Tallahassee is a way to advocate for the area and ensure Manatee County is known and well represented.
“It helps the legislators to remember that we’re here, who they’re working for, and why they’re up there doing what they’re doing,” Commissioner Amanda Ballard said. “So I think it makes our visit, and our asks on the policy side and on the appropriations side, even more effective and memorable.”
Government Relations Manager Brent Anderson said the county was made aware it would receive $6 million in appropriations requests from the federal government while in Tallahassee.
Other counties and communities have hosted similar events, but this was an inaugural event for Manatee County. Lamont noted that some representatives from Sarasota County were also in Tallahassee exploring the idea of holding a day of their own.
Stephanie Garrison, director of Government Relations for Manatee County, said there’s talk of hosting a joint reception with Sarasota in the future, but with each county having its own day.
“Sometimes it’s nice to show up to their house, too (instead of meeting with representatives locally),” Lamont said. “It’s about building relationships.”
At the top of Lamont’s discussion list was the proposed elimination of property taxes for Florida residents. She’s made several prior trips to Tallahassee to advocate for the reduction of the commercial lease tax.
As of Oct. 1, 2025 that tax was eliminated. Now, Lamont fears an elimination of residential property taxes could shift the burden to businesses.
While representatives don't know where that proposed legislation will land yet, Manatee County Day offered Lamont the opportunity to advocate for the business community.
The Alliance was also an event sponsor.
Garrison noted that Teco Energy has agreed to be the title sponsor again next year.
“There’s strong interest from community partners to participate again,” she said. “We see this becoming an annual tradition that continues to grow in both participation and impact.”
As the president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lamont takes regular trips to Tallahassee, but she noted that individual business owners don’t always have that same access.
Local nonprofits and businesses set up tables on the second floor of the Capitol Building.
“From the airport to the Bishop (Museum of Science and Nature), everybody that was up there got so well received by the people that were in the building,” Commissioner Mike Rahn said. “It was great to see them and the interaction they had with the folks that were in the Capitol Building.”
Rahn said he hopes to see the event continue year after year.
Garrison is on it. She said the staff is considering ways to expand the programming and offer more opportunities for attendees to engage directly with agencies and legislators, as well as highlighting local success stories.
She noted that the community response exceeded the county’s expectations, and Teco has already signed on to be the title sponsor again next year.
Between sponsorships and donations, nearly $23,000 was raised to cover the event's expenses.
