Manatee County’s Infrastructure Crisis: Impact Fees, Stormwater Runoff, and Missed Opportunities
The Future is in Your Hands: What Kind of Leadership Will You Choose to Build Our Community Together?
Manatee County is growing at an unprecedented rate. Everywhere you look, new homes, businesses, and developments are springing up. While this boom may seem like a sign of prosperity, it comes with serious consequences that many residents may not realize. Our infrastructure—roads, schools, stormwater systems—is buckling under the weight of this rapid growth. Worse still, the policies put in place by our county commissioners have failed to ensure that developers pay their fair share for the infrastructure their projects require. And that’s not all—we are also missing out on millions of dollars in matching funds for stormwater management, a problem that affects every single resident in this fast-growing area.
Our roads are feeling the strain of rapid growth. Without developers paying their fair share, traffic congestion will only get worse.
The Impact Fee Fiasco: Who’s Really Paying for Growth?
I attended the Board of County Commissioners meeting when they voted not to increase impact fees—fees that are supposed to help fund infrastructure like roads and schools that support new development. My opponent, who initially supported waiving these fees when first elected, did eventually advocate for an increase. But let’s not forget that he was siding with developers from the start. When the pressure is on, will he cave to developer interests again? We can not afford to put our trust in someone whose priorities shift with political winds.
Impact fees are designed to ensure that developers pay for the costs their projects create, rather than placing the burden on existing taxpayers. By not charging impact fees initially, our commissioners allowed developers to profit while leaving residents to foot the bill for the increased strain on our public infrastructure.
Flooding caused by stormwater runoff impacts our homes and communities. Developers should be contributing to fixing this.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ law limiting impact fee increases to no more than 50%—unless extraordinary circumstances are demonstrated—has only made things worse. Despite experts recommending a 100% increase to cover the actual costs of infrastructure, our current commissioners refused to pursue an exception, leaving residents to cover the shortfall. This refusal to push for what our community truly needs is irresponsible and shortsighted.
Stormwater Runoff: The Hidden Cost of Development
Stormwater runoff is an issue that often flies under the radar, but it shouldn’t. When rainwater flows over paved surfaces—roads, parking lots, and sidewalks—it collects pollutants like oil, chemicals, and debris before flowing into our waterways. Contrary to what some might think, this water is not treated before entering our rivers, bays, or groundwater. That oil from your driveway? It’s headed straight into the very water we rely on.
The more paved surfaces there are in a community, the more stormwater runoff is generated, placing greater strain on our already overburdened stormwater systems. Yet, Manatee County does not charge stormwater utility fees, meaning developers and large businesses aren’t paying for the runoff they generate. This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a public safety and financial issue.
New developments mean more paved surfaces—and more stormwater runoff. But without stormwater utility fees, we’re all paying for it.
I learned firsthand from Rob Brown, a retired Manatee County Environmental Protection Manager, about the millions of dollars we’re leaving on the table by not tapping into state and federal matching funds for stormwater management. Many grants require local governments to have a dedicated funding source, like a stormwater utility fee, to qualify for these matching funds. Without stormwater utility fees, we are forfeiting millions in potential funding that could be used to upgrade stormwater systems, prevent flooding, and protect our environment.
Instead, the county is scrambling to piece together stormwater funding from other departments, like public works and wastewater utilities. This approach isn’t just inefficient—it’s irresponsible governance. We are failing to address the core issue: developers and large property owners are not paying for the infrastructure they are overwhelming, and the result is a system that is unable to handle our community’s needs.
Manatee County is missing out on millions in matching funds for stormwater management. It’s time to stop leaving money on the table.
Developers Are Off the Hook, Residents Pay the Price
The failure to charge full impact fees and stormwater utility fees puts the cost of growth squarely on the shoulders of Manatee County residents. Every time a new development goes up without paying for its infrastructure impact, we, the residents, are left covering the cost. We pay through higher taxes, reduced services, or even environmental damage.
If developers aren’t paying for the roads, schools, and stormwater systems their projects require, then guess who will? That’s right—us. Flooding, pollution, and damage to public systems will eventually fall on the taxpayers to fix. This is not fiscal responsibility—it’s negligence.
When developers don’t pay their share, residents are left footing the bill. Let’s stop the burden from falling on us.
A Call for Responsible Leadership
Manatee County’s leadership likes to claim they are fiscally conservative, but their actions show otherwise. Not charging developers their fair share, refusing to push for necessary impact fee increases, and ignoring available funding for stormwater management are clear signs that our commissioners are prioritizing developers over the residents they were elected to serve.
This pattern of giving developers free rein while residents pay the price isn’t unique to Manatee County, but it’s one we can and must break. We need leaders who will stand up for us, not cave to developers’ demands. We need leaders who will ensure developers pay their fair share, tap into available funding, and invest in our infrastructure for the long term.
Let’s Get It Right
This November, we have the chance to change the course of our county. Manatee County is fortunate to have Democratic candidates who understand the importance of responsible governance. We need leaders who will prioritize the long-term well-being of residents over short-term profits for developers.
By electing commissioners who will implement stormwater utility fees, pursue full impact fee increases, and fight for the millions in matching funds available, we can ensure that growth benefits all of us—not just those profiting from it.
Untreated stormwater runoff from paved surfaces pollutes our waterways, impacting both the environment and public health.
Our infrastructure is at a breaking point. The choices we make in this election will determine whether we rise to meet the challenge or continue to fall behind. We can’t afford more of the same. Let’s elect leaders who will make decisions that protect all of us—not just the people with deep pockets.
Commissioner Kruse did more than just being the only vote for increasing impact fees, he fought hard for raising them to the maximum level. More importantly, he studied the issue and educated the public so we knew we were being screwed by the other board members. It used to be that puppet politicians could justify their corruption by claiming impact fees are passed along to home buyers. Kruse’s efforts to educate - from the dais, at his monthly town halls, on the campaign trail, and by writing multiple detailed substack articles, stopped that bogus lie before it got off the ground.
Yes, the BoCC (with help from the County Attorney) voted not to take advantage of the “extraordinary circumstances” option in setting a fair impact fee rate. But would most of us even know there was such an option without Kruse not only bringing it up, but spelling out the specific statutory requirements to make it happen? He made a persuasive common sense case that, although the rubber stamps were already wet, made it crystal clear to voters that the other commissioners are bought and paid for puppets.
Back in April when Sari first announced, I thought this was just some naive newcomer. But I was really impressed by her answers to the “6 questions for Sari” piece in Marc’s Masferrer’s Bradenton Journal. And I continue to be impressed. Sari showed up at the rallies against developer influence (At the downtown rally, she brought that hilarious image of the guy sneaking away while bear-hugging a potted plant. All the artwork she uses is smart, including in this article) She takes the time to write these thoughtful pieces on substack. She weighs in thoughtfully on social media. She takes the time to get out and talk to the community. A few weeks ago, she reached out to me by phone, genuinely concerned about our County shelter. She asked intelligent, solution-seeking questions. She adores her beautiful rescue mutts - which range from a small chihuahua-type mix to a large, 3-leg shepherd mix. I know from speaking to her that she cares deeply about improving the health and well being of the animals, staff and volunteers at Animal Services.
However, IMO Sari is running against one of the best Commissioners we’ve had in my 38 years as a Manatee County resident. Yes, Kruse made many bad votes in his first two years that I’m sure he’d like back. Kruse voted to fire Cheri Coryea - the mistake that continues to deteriorate our County administration. But even in those first two years, for those of us that watched the meetings, Kruse stood out by making well reasoned arguments. Off the top of his head, he can cite cost per square foot of commercial space, the monthly payment of a 10 year lease at 6.5% interest, annual debt service on a 15 year bond….And since the day he broke with Beruff and Pedicini on the need for housing for teachers, police, healthcare workers etc over two years ago, he has consistently used that talent to lay out the common sense way forward in the public’s best interest.
I admire Sari for making the sacrifice to run for local office. I love that she is making the case that charging a small storm utility fee, allowing the County to receive potentially $millions in federal funding, is the smart way to lower the cost to taxpayers who must pay for repairs and upgrades to aging infrastructure. I especially respect Sari for working so hard as a campaigner - that means a lot. But in this specific race, I think Commissioner Kruse deserves to be re-elected. In the R primary, he set the bar for working hard in a campaign. I know Sari will earn our support in the near future. In just two years we need to replace the other 3 commissioners - we'd be lucky to have a Commissioner like Sari Lindroos-Valimaki.