{"id":168341,"date":"2026-02-25T10:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/168341\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T10:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T10:11:18","slug":"local-legislators-and-businesses-come-together-on-manatee-county-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/168341\/","title":{"rendered":"Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manatee County commissioners travel to Tallahassee to meet with legislators annually to discuss the county\u2019s needs and priorities.<\/p>\n

This year, residents, business owners and nonprofit leaders took a trip with them for Manatee County Day, which actually spanned two days \u2014 Feb. 4-5.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Commissioner<\/p>\n

Commissioner George Kruse, County Administrator Charlie Bishop and Commissioner Amanda Ballard speak with Senator Jim Boyd during Manatee County Day.<\/p>\n

Courtesy image<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt helps the legislators to remember that we\u2019re here, who they\u2019re working for, and why they\u2019re up there doing what they\u2019re doing,\u201d Commissioner Amanda Ballard said. \u201cSo I think it makes our visit, and our asks on the policy side and on the appropriations side, even more effective and memorable.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Stephanie Garrison, director of Government Relations for Manatee County, said there\u2019s talk of hosting a joint reception with Sarasota in the future, but with each county having its own day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it\u2019s nice to show up to their house, too (instead of meeting with representatives locally),\u201d Lamont said. \u201cIt\u2019s about building relationships.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Brittany<\/p>\n

Brittany Lamont, the president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, says Manatee County Day is about building relationships.<\/p>\n

Courtesy image<\/p>\n

At the top of Lamont\u2019s discussion list was the proposed elimination of property taxes for Florida residents. She\u2019s made several prior trips to Tallahassee to advocate for the reduction of the commercial lease tax.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As of Oct. 1, 2025 that tax was eliminated. Now, Lamont fears an elimination of residential property taxes could shift the burden to businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Alliance was also an event sponsor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Garrison noted that Teco Energy has agreed to be the title sponsor again next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s strong interest from community partners to participate again,\u201d she said. \u201cWe see this becoming an annual tradition that continues to grow in both participation and impact.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the president of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, Lamont takes regular trips to Tallahassee, but she noted that individual business owners don\u2019t always have that same access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"John<\/p>\n

John Taylor, sales manager at Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries, meets Rep. Bill Conerly.<\/p>\n

Courtesy image<\/p>\n

Local nonprofits and businesses set up tables on the second floor of the Capitol Building.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom 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,\u201d Commissioner Mike Rahn said. \u201cIt was great to see them and the interaction they had with the folks that were in the Capitol Building.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rahn said he hopes to see the event continue year after year.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She noted that the community response exceeded the county\u2019s expectations, and Teco has already signed on to be the title sponsor again next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Between sponsorships and donations, nearly $23,000 was raised to cover the event’s expenses.<\/p>\n

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