People & Business

County Commissioners Approve $740 Million Net Annual Budget

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September 24, 2020 – Manatee County

Manatee County Commissioners have adopted a $740 net budget for next year which includes funding for new Sheriff’s Office deputies, de-escalation training for law enforcement, two new ambulance units and a host of long-needed transportation improvements throughout Manatee County. 

The budget, the second of a two-year budget, was largely unchanged from the budget proposed by County Administrator Cheri Coryea earlier this summer and cautiously approached due to future and continued impacts of COVID-19. There was no increase to the property tax rate. Countywide property values have risen 7.3 percent, helping to offset sales tax and tourism tax revenues that dropped as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

The budget invests in six major areas: a continued commitment to law enforcement and public safety; infrastructure improvements (Capital Improvement Program and Infrastructure Sales Tax); employee compensation and workforce well being; enhanced communications; meeting the public’s level of service demands for 2020; innovation and technology investments. The budget renews Coryea’s emphasis on a Results First approach that measures direct results through investments.

Manatee Sheriff’s Office budget includes 12 new positions, including six patrol deputies, two court security deputies, a new domestic violence unit detective and a resource assistant program deputy to assist with the homeless, among others. MSO will also receive $200,000 for de-escalation training to assist front-line responders in handling difficult situations. 

 The recommended budget proposes $186 million in road projects including several signature improvements that include:$20 million for the final phase of 44th Avenue Extension $1 million for 60th Avenue improvements near the Ellenton Premium Outlets in FY21 to complete $14.5million investment$24.1 million for Canal Road improvements$7.5 million for Whitfield Avenue improvements  $13.2 million to widen Moccasin WallowCoryea said despite the pandemic, Manatee County’s population continues to grow as does the need to meet new service requirements for the expanding level of our population. While the county will see $8.6 million less in state tax revenues this year, property tax rates in Manatee County have risen roughly 7.3%, providing an additional $18 million since last year. The County remains cautious about the final outcome of impacts of COVID-19 as FY20 closes out and have adopted a budget for FY21 that keeps an eye toward rebuilding the economy of Manatee County.

The budget proposal calls for two new ambulance units: a new Myakka ambulance crew and a second ambulance and seven paramedics for 24-hour staffing along University Parkway to improve response times during peak hours.

All budget materials are available on the County’s website at www.mymanatee.org/budget

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