Manatee County, Florida - Deputy County Administrator
Bradenton, FL
Joined February 2025
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Manatee County grew 17% from 2020-2025. MCSO handles 900+ service calls daily. As East County grows, public safety resources must keep pace. So glad to welcome the new Lakewood Ranch substation. Thank you to @ManateeUnit, FBA, Willis Smith Construction, and our PM team!
What a great way to start the day, celebrating Nate, one of our Landfill Operators, as Team Member of the Month!
We may be biased, but Manatee County has one of the best-maintained landfills in Florida, thanks to hardworking team members like Nate!
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
We’re going Into the Deep End for a first look at one of Manatee County’s most significant recreation investments in years: the new Athletics & Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North. This facility isn't being built only for athletes. With walking trails, community spaces, recreation programming and opportunities to simply get outside and get moving, we explore how Premier Sports Campus North will support health, wellness and connection throughout Manatee County.
Here the whole podcast episode at mymanatee.org/podcast or any platform you listen on.
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
📢 Manatee Avenue Bridge 📢
The temporary watermain on the bridge has been removed and the sidewalk is reopened. Residents can now safely walk, bike and enjoy the bridge once again.
✅ For more information on this project, please visit: amiprojects.io/projects/mana…
Thank you for your patience!
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
This past week at Hidden Harbor, volunteers alongside our Natural Resources team took to the new trails to spread wiregrass seed and help restore this special landscape.
The wiregrass was harvested right here in Manatee County at Duette Preserve and is now being used to help bring native vegetation back to Hidden Harbor. Wiregrass is an important part of Florida’s natural upland ecosystems, helping stabilize soils, support native wildlife and pollinators and restore the natural plant communities that belong here.
The new trail is coming along beautifully, but creating and renewing natural spaces takes time, teamwork and a lot of hands-on work. We’re grateful to the volunteers who continue to help us restore these places to the healthy, thriving landscapes they were meant to be.
For more volunteer opportunities, checkout mymanatee.org/ecoevents
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
🎉 Manatee County is excited to welcome 19 local high school students representing 10 schools to the first-ever Model Manatee County Government Civics Education Program!
Throughout the program, students will get a firsthand look at how county government works, connect with local leaders and staff, explore the roles of different departments and constitutional offices, and put what they learn into action through hands-on activities and a mock County Commission meeting.
We’re excited to kick off this inaugural program and give these students a behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes, and services that keep Manatee County moving.
Congratulations to our 2026 Model Manatee participants!
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
As part of our efforts to stay ahead of evolving DOGE initiatives, Manatee County launched an AI Pilot Program, and the early results are priceless. For the full segment from the Board of County Commissioners' meeting on August 25, go to
youtu.be/Zjf05U7pn9s?si=Qlvj…
A community vision is coming to life, with the first steps underway to bring a performing arts school to downtown Bradenton. 💃💃
bradenton.com/news/local/art…
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
District 5 Commissioner, Dr. Bob McCann, invites interested citizens to attend his Town Hall on September 9, from 6 - 7 pm at the Lakewood Ranch Library (16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211) Meeting Room A #127.
Thanks Observer for highlighting the Manatee Ai Pilot with @DigiBuildInc - more to come! @RobertJSalvador yourobserver.com/news/2026/s…
Today, I was confirmed as Manatee County’s Deputy County Administrator.
I was called underqualified, overqualified and everything in between. Quite a meeting.
Leadership doesn’t require everyone to agree. Stay focused. Results speak for themselves. Grateful for the opportunity!
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
Save the date for a HAY-mazing Halloween event! Just when you thought GT Bray Park's Annual Goblin Gathering presented by Prime-Time Event Rentals couldn't get any more fun, hayrides have been added to the list of activities. Join other families on Friday, October 16, from 4 to 7 p.m., for a fantastic time that also includes treats and sweets (handed out by local businesses and organizations), inflatables, petting zoo, spooky photo ops and costume contests (different age ranges) with prizes!!
For more sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected].
Manatee County participated in an AI-pilot, partnering with the Governor’s office that analyzed more than $2.45B in procurement. We’re sharing a presentation for the Board at the 8/25 Meeting with Digibuid’s @RobertJSalvador
Read the report here:
agendaonline.mymanatee.org/O…
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
There’s one week left to apply for Model Manatee, a hands-on civics education program for Manatee County high school juniors and seniors. Participants will get an inside look at how local government works, hear from County Commissioners, School Board members, constitutional officers and County leadership, and learn how local decisions affect their community.
The program culminates in a mock Board of County Commissioners meeting, where students will discuss and vote on issues that matter to them.
Applications close in one week on Friday, Aug. 21, at 3 p.m. Students must provide their own transportation; sessions will take place during the work week with minimal interruption to the school day. Learn more, review the full application packet and apply at mymanatee.org/modelmanatee.
On my way to San Diego for my first Esri User Conference! I love talking about how technology can help government work smarter and better serve our residents. Can’t wait to learn and bring some big ideas back to Manatee County. #EsriUC
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
🚨ANNOUNCEMENT: FL DOGE SUCCESS STORY
An early County to volunteer for the @DOGEFla program was Manatee County, Florida.
Their comprehensive savings and efficiency report will be released within a few weeks.
But today we're proud to release a success story to preview of our work with them:
Using a DOGE and efficiency mindset championed by @GovRonDeSantis and @GovGoneWild , Manatee set out to complete a new Administration Center.
But they didn't build new. They acquired a vacant building in the district and renovated it...
SAVING THE COUNTY AND TAXPAYERS $28.5 MILLION DOLLARS.
Here is how we calculated the savings and a few comparable builds in other Counties:
Manatee County bought an $23.5M existing office building in Lakewood Ranch and spent $11.33M to renovate it; total $34.83M ($344 per sqft) to consolidate six departments under one roof.
Sarasota, their close neighbor, is currently completing a comparable NEW facility for $75.1M ($625 per sqft).
2 other relevant comparisons:
Pompano Beach City Hall ($73.9M, $625 per sqft).
City of Miami Admin Building ( $238M, $609 per sqft).
$28.5 million savings: calculated as 101,312 sf × Mean ($625 − $344).
PLUS they filled an empty commercial building improved operations by putting departments in the same building.
This is the potential of FL DOGE, FAFO Audits, and Government Efficiency programs as a whole.
Manatee County Director of Public Relations Stephanie Garrison (@stephgarrison) said of the construction:
"This project allows us to finally house several departments under one roof, which creates efficiencies just being close enough down the hall.
Cost wise, we're proud of our FL DOGE work in collaboration with Governor DeSantis, the State of Florida, and our County Board".
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
Volunteers Needed for Run Manatee!
Our next Run Manatee race is coming up on July 11 at Coquina Beach, and we're looking for volunteers to help make it a success!
We're especially seeking volunteers for our new Splash Zones, where you'll help keep runners cool, motivated, and having fun along the course.
Ready to join the team? Sign up here: bit.ly/SEVolunteerTeam
Help us make a splash and create an unforgettable race day experience!
Stephanie Garrison retweeted
Getting the Home Recovery Program out to as many of you as we can this summer included the Manatee Juneteenth Community Festival. We were glad to see many new and familiar faces turn out and receive support!
👩💻 Apply anytime at LastingManatee.org
🏠 Program covers Homeowners with Hurricane Damages, up to 120% AMI
🔨 Up to $250k for Repairs
🛠️ Up to $450k for Home
This week, we're talking about the county budget, how to reduce government spending, and what services/programs matter most to Manatee residents. We held multiple community budget workshops listening to resident feedback and thanks to Results 1st, deliv… mymanatee.org/podcast
This week our team presented a mid-year progress update on Manatee County's Strategic Plan to the Board of County Commissioners.
With this being our first year of implementation, the Board challenged us to establish the first citizen satisfaction survey… ift.tt/0Q728oW
