Manatee County WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, OVERDEVELOPMENT PREVENTION, NATURAL LANDS PRESERVATION, AND PUBLIC PRESERVES GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS REFERENDUM
What your vote means
A YES vote allows Manatee County to issue up to $75 million in bonds and levy an extra 0.16 mill property tax to buy and maintain conservation land and preserves.
A NO vote denies the new bonds and the extra 0.16 mill tax; the 2020 environmental lands tax is not affected.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- Manatee County could borrow up to $75 million through bonds, paid back over no more than 20 years, to buy, improve and care for land that protects drinking water, water quality and wildlife habitat and to create public preserves. source: mymanatee.org
- To pay for it, the county would add a property tax of 0.16 mill, with yearly public audits. source: mymanatee.org
- This is in addition to a 0.15-mill environmental lands tax and $50 million bond voters approved in 2020. source: yourobserver.com
- Money: Up to $75 million in bonds repaid within 20 years, plus an added 0.16 mill property tax = $16 a year per $100,000 of taxable value (Illustration only). source: mymanatee.org
Why people want it, and why others object
Why supporters want it
- Tal Siddique, Manatee County Commissioner (District 3): "Conservation isn't a partisan issue in Manatee County." source: mymanatee.org
Why opponents object
- George Kruse, Manatee County Commissioner (said while the referendum was being planned, May 2026): "We're trying to lower our millage this year." source: yourobserver.com
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
ballot wording to come We publish ballot wording only after checking it word for word against the official file. The wording will come from mymanatee.org . Until then, check your sample ballot on the Division of Elections voter lookup (then your county Supervisor of Elections for your sample ballot) .
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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