From Sunshine Review
Manatee County is one of 67 counties in Florida.
Its population in 2000 was 264,002. Its county seat is Bradenton. The county was created in 1855.
[edit] Evaluation of website
- Main article: Evaluation of Florida county websites
[edit] The good
- Budget is available.[1]
- Board meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes[2] are all available.
- County commissioners are listed with contact information.[3]
- Includes monthly progress reports on several departments[4], along with financial reports.[5]
- Building permits are available.[6]
- Local tax information is provided.[7]
[edit] The bad
[edit] Public records request
In September 2008, Democratic congressional candidate Christine Jennings filed what was described as "a large public information request" under the Florida Sunshine Law with the county's election supervisor.[9]
[edit] Lobbying
- Main article: Florida taxpayer-funded lobbying
Manatee County has reported $709,500 spent on lobbying since 2000 (see table).
Reported lobbying expenditures, 2000-2009 [10]
| Year | Amount spent on lobbying
|
| 2009
| $90,000
|
| 2008
| $120,000
|
| 2007
| $120,000
|
| 2006
| $130,000
|
| 2005
| -
|
| 2004
| $60,000
|
| 2003
| $20,000
|
| 2002
| $40,000
|
| 2001
| $53,000
|
| 2000
| $76,500
|
From 2002 onward, all of the lobbying expenditures have come from the Manatee County Administrators Office.
[edit] Incorporated cities in Manatee
- City of Anna Maria
- City of Bradenton
- City of Bradenton Beach
- City of Holmes Beach
- Town of Longboat Key
- City of Palmetto
[edit] Audits
For Manatee County, the clerk or comptroller performs the internal audits.[11]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
