Two big changes in Manatee County government. What to know about the personnel moves
Manatee County Attorney Bill Clague announced Tuesday at a commission meeting that he intends to step down in March.
Also at the meeting, Manatee County commissioners nominated District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn as the chair for 2024, replacing District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.
“After 20 very good years at the county, with two as chief assistant and three as county attorney, I do intend to move on in a few months and go back to the private sector,” Clague said.
Clague said at the meeting that he had previously reached out to each member of the board to inform them of his plans to step down “on or around” March 8. The County Commission voted unanimously to direct Clague and human resources to begin the process of advertising the position.
Each of the board members publicly thanked Clague for his time with the county.
“You have truly been a dedicated, humble servant to this county throughout all these years,” Van Ostenbridge said.
Van Ostenbridge said earlier in the meeting that he would not accepting any nominations to chair the board for a third time, leading to Rahn’s nomination as the 2024 chair.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the chair for the last two years,” Van Ostenbridge said. “I think that it’s time for someone else to have an opportunity.
“I also think I’m leaving this position with the board and the county in a better place than when I inherited it. They went through some really difficult and challenging times ... but I think we’ve reached a point of calm water,” he said.
Van Ostenbridge’s tenure as chair was not without hiccups.
In April 2023, he was temporarily ousted as chairman of the board and replaced by Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. He was reinstated as chair two days later.
The board chair is largely a ceremonial role. The commissioner who is voted in by fellow board members, conducts meetings and signs documents on behalf of the board.
District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard will serve as first vice chair of the board next year. Van Ostenbridge will serve as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. Also announced at Tuesday’s meeting: District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner will serve as chair of the Tourist Development Council.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 1:40 PM.
