County Commissioners Unanimously Approve Cheri Coryea as County Administrator

County Commissioners today unanimously approved Cheri Coryea as Manatee County Administrator, lifting the temporary term “acting”  from her title and paving the way for a long term agreement as the County’s chief executive. 

The vote comes nearly three months after a February vote when County Commissioners named Cheri Coryea as acting County Administrator.  

“Everything she’s touched has turned out great,” said County Commissioner Carol Whitmore. “She’s got the support of 1,700 County employees. If you really think she’s the best person, you should vote for her.” 

Prior to the vote to make Cheri the permanent Administrator, Commissioners updated their ordinance that dictates job requirements for the County Administrator. Commissioners will now allow experience with Manatee County Government to be an alternative to a college degree. Commissioners Stephen Jonsson and Misty Servia voted against changing the job qualifications, but they also voted to approve Coryea as the permanent County Administrator. 

“I think Cheri is the best person for this job and my confidence level in her is 100 percent,” Commissioner Servia said. 

Coryea has 30 years of experience, including 28 in management with Manatee County. She served as Deputy County Administrator since 2017 and was Director of the Neighborhood Services Department for 10 years. Earlier in her career with the County, Cheri developed the Children’s Services Fund from its inception in 1991 and helped it grow to its current annual budget of $15 million. She oversaw the two Community Redevelopment Area budgets of $2.5 million annually and oversaw the creation of the Southwest Tax Increment Financing District in 2014.

Cheri has led the development of several key County initiatives including:  the creation of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDI), Health Care for the medically needy, Children’s Services Tax, Manatee Millennial Movement (M3),  Community Development Block Grant, the formation of the Southwest Tax Increment Financing District, Rubonia Community Center renovations and the Norma Lloyd Park Development. Cheri also authored “Voices,” Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.