Proposing charter government for suburban Manatee County

The Federation of Manatee County Community Associations recommends that the county commission authorize and form an exploratory committee to start the initiative for charter government in the unincorporated areas of Manatee County, since our cities are already charter municipal governments.

After a reasonable time, to conduct public workshops to properly vet this “home rule” concept, the committee should then be authorized to write a proposed charter to submit to the public for review. Then it should be placed on a referendum, at a proper time, to be voted on.

Considering the pace at which Manatee County is growing, its citizens, rightfully, feel the need to have more of a say on how Manatee County continues to thrive, grow, and protect the quality of life issues that we all cherish.

This recommendation will allow our commissioners to expedite and eliminate the need to obtain approximately 35,000 petitions signed by our residents to force this recommendation.

Also, your cooperation in approving this recommendation is an opportunity for the county commissioners to demonstrate to our resident your willingness to allow them to feel you are working with them to protect and preserve our county for the good of all concerned.

This story was originally published June 11, 2017 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Proposing charter government for suburban Manatee County."