‘A force of nature.’ How Manatee County enshrined late Carol Ann Felts’ legacy
With Commissioner Carol Ann Felts’ seat adorned in black — and white flowers in her place — the Manatee County Commission held its first meeting without the late commissioner Tuesday morning.
The Manatee County District 1 seat remains vacant after Felts, 68, died last week. Commissioners voted unanimously to dedicate a new section of Crane Park in honor of Felts, and establish a new advisory board to continue her legacy of amplifying rural citizens’ voices.
Community members from across the county showed up in remembrance of Felts. Throughout the two-hour memorial, many swapped stories through shaky voices, but laughter often interrupted tears when reflecting on Felts’ character.
One of Felts’ sons, Nicholas, emphasized his mother’s passion that many in the chambers felt.
“Our mom was a force of nature. She was brilliant. She was determined. She was resilient,” Nicholas Felts said. “She was passionate about preserving our state’s natural beauty for her granddaughters and for future generations.”
Emotions showed most during an a cappella rendition of “Amazing Grace,” when commissioners and audience members sang the last verse in unison through tears.
Officials from the City of Bradenton and City of Palmetto, as well as Sheriff Rick Wells, Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington, School Board Chair Cindy Spray and representatives from several fire districts attended Felts’ memorial.
Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown both read proclamations from their respective cities dedicating the day in Felts’ honor before Manatee County commissioners did the same.
Breaking from the tradition of one commissioner reading the proclamation, Commission Chair Tal Siddique allowed each commissioner to read a portion of the proclamation.
“Throughout her tenure on the Manatee County Commission, she approached public service with professionalism, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility, working collaboratively with her colleagues, county staff and community partners to strengthen the quality of life for all residents,” it read in part.
Felts took office in 2024 after spending years in the crowds of Manatee County meetings as an advocate for preserving agricultural land and an opponent to sprawling development.
As commissioners shared stories of first meeting Felts from when she was a passionate community advocate, many said their first conversations with her lasted hours — attributed to her talkativeness and passion for Myakka City. She would talk about Old Florida, her generational history or, for Commissioner Amanda Ballard, swap advice about motherhood.
“She would talk to me so much about having a demanding job, and balancing being a mom with a career. And she was really a mentor in that way,” Ballard said through tears. “Being the only two women on the board, we definitely had a bond. She was always so kind and so sweet.”
Many, like Commissioner Bob McCann, said they’ll remember Felts by the way she represented the 77,000 people in her district — the largest in Manatee County.
“She was a true Floridian. She knew what she wanted to do for her people, and she went out of her way to do that,” McCann said. “We are really going to miss her. And I don’t think anybody is going to be able to fill her shoes.”
Commissioners exchanged more stories, as did some of Felts’ friends and neighbors. Moments of levity broke through the somber mood in the packed commission chambers as speakers recalled how Felts, dubbed by friends as the “Mayor of Myakka,” would challenge people to a whip-cracking competition, talk for hours and remind everyone that she was an eighth-generation Floridian.
Honoring Felts’ legacy to Manatee County
Parrish resident Stacy Jessee said Felts is who inspired her to care about local government, ask questions and get in contact with elected officials.
“It really, truly is Carol’s fault that I show up to these county meetings at all, that I know anything about local government, and that is what Carol stood for,” Jessee said.
Commissioner George Kruse said Felts was unlike any elected official he’s met. When most people are elected, they say “I’m elected, but I’m not a politician,” he explained.
“Except for one person I’ve ever worked with, and that was Carol,” Kruse said. “Carol was the epitome of ‘not a politician.’ She knew that, and that’s what made her different and great.”
A prime example, he said, was that no one spoke about the votes that Felts cast during her time on the board, but rather the type of person she was.
Kruse also spoke about Felts’ passion for her constituents, and that her spot will need to be filled. Gov. Ron DeSantis can appoint someone to serve the remainder of Felts’ term, but her seat will be up for election in 2026.
“Her voice on this board gave a voice to her district. I’m hopeful the governor puts somebody in her place that carries on her tradition and doesn’t just fill a spot that certain people want,” Kruse said. “Come 2026, you’re also going to have an opportunity for that. I hope District 1 looks for somebody like Carol Felts, and not somebody who’s a politician.”
Commissioners later voted unanimously to memorialize Felts by naming the recent 16-acre expansion of David J. Crane Park “The Carol Ann Felts Preserve.”
The board also established a Rural Lands and Citizens’ Advisory Board. The board will consist of residents and agricultural business representatives from the county to provide recommendations to the Manatee County Commission about issues impacting rural communities.
Above all, those in the crowd who knew Felts the most said they hope her legacy of protecting rural life in Florida will continue.
“It is our hope that her legacy will serve to inspire the next wave of activism that helps preserve unique Florida ecosystems,” Nicholas Felts said during his speech. “The environmentally-disastrous and downright idiotic ideas like golf courses on conservation land and cruise ports in the most pristine parts of Manatee County…those are going to keep coming. Now that my mom’s voice can no longer protect Old Florida, I hope you all can honor her by raising yours.”
