Chambers, Changes & Conversations - the official podcast of Manatee County Government

What state decisions today will shape Manatee County’s future for decades to come? In this episode of Chambers, Changes & Conversations , Florida House District 72 Representative Bill Conerly talks with us about the challenges and opportunities facing our community - and what he's doing at the state level.. From his years as Chairman of the Manatee County Planning Commission to his service on...

In this episode of Chambers, Changes, and Conversations , we sit down with Lee Washington: Marine veteran, longtime Manatee County employee, and now the Veterans Project Manager leading what will be one of the most meaningful projects in our community’s history: the Veterans Memorial Park. This will be so much more than a resource center and a park - it's a national model in the making. Located in...

In this episode of Chambers, Changes & Conversations , we talk with the City of Bradenton’s own Mayor Gene Brown: lifelong resident, coach, business leader, and now the elected leader of Manatee County’s largest city and County Seat. From revitalizing downtown and enhancing the Riverwalk to expanding parks and recreation opportunities, Mayor Brown shares how the City is shaping Bradenton into...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on one of Manatee County’s newest divisions: Legislative Affairs. Government Relations Manager Brent Anderson and Legislative Aide Crosley Jones join us to share how Manatee County is pioneering a new way to connect local government with state and federal partners. For the first time, dedicated staff are supporting our board to building direct relationships ac...

What does the Clerk of Court actually do - and why does it matter to every resident in Manatee County? In this episode of Chambers, Changes, and Conversations, we sit down with Clerk of Court & Comptroller Angel Colonneso to pull back the curtain on one of our most important constitutional offices. Clerk Colonneso, the first woman ever elected to serve as Clerk in Manatee County, has been in o...

What does it take to turn ideas into action? Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who represents Manatee County’s District 2, shares how her background as a child welfare attorney fuels her passion for protecting children, supporting families, and uplifting vulnerable residents. In this episode, Commissioner Ballard reflects on the challenges she witnessed in as a lawyer in the child welfare system and ho...

Commissioner Mike Rahn on Port Manatee, DOGE, Vision 41, and Putting Infrastructure First What does it take to lead a growing county with deep local roots and global economic ambitions? In this episode of Chambers, Changes, and Conversations , we sit down with Manatee County District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn - Marine veteran, Port Authority Chair, and longtime champion of infrastructure, neighborh...

Commissioner Jason Bearden on Veterans, Faith, and Countywide Leadership What does it take to serve an entire county with transparency, purpose, and heart? In this episode of Chambers, Changes, and Conversations, we sit down with Manatee County Commissioner Jason Bearden, a Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and faith-driven public servant representing District 6, our at-large seat. Commissioner...

What happens when a rancher, small business owner, and fierce rural advocate takes a seat on the County Commission? You get Commissioner Carol Ann Felts – direct, principled, and deeply rooted in the land she represents here in Manatee County. In this episode of Chambers, Changes, and Conversations, hosts Casey Zempel and Stephanie Garrison sit down with Commissioner Felts of District 1 to talk ab...

Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique on Transit, 311, and Smarter Local Government What does the future of Manatee County look like? Commissioner Tal Siddique shares how his tech background, passion for transit, and commitment to civic engagement are driving real change across District 3. From 311 services to sidewalks and smart infrastructure, he’s helping modernize local government for a new...

Episode 5 of Chambers, Changes, and Conversation brings you an in-depth, candid interview with Manatee County Commissioner and Board Chair George Kruse. Hosts Casey Zempel and Stephanie Garrison pull back the curtain on local government, asking the questions that matter to Manatee County residents, business owners, and anyone tracking our local government. In this episode you will learn: - how the...

In this week’s episode of Chambers, Changes and Conversations, we unpack the County’s budget process, explore the opportunities created by the new East County campus, and—because we can’t resist—swap a few stories about our favorite furry companions with County Administrator, Charlie Bishop.

This week on Chambers, Changes & Conversations, the official podcast of Manatee County Government, Florida, we welcome a mystery guest—someone no stranger to high-pressure situations and public service. Spoiler Alert: It’s Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske, sharing how her team keeps our Florida community safe and prepared. We also preview this week’s Board of County Commissioners meetings, h...

This week, we're diving into three important community stories you won't want to miss. We start with a powerful moment of remembrance: the unveiling of the Gold Star Memorial kiosk and highway dedication in Manatee County —a moving tribute honoring fallen service members and their families. Next, we break down Manatee County Utilities' new Big Bin Advantage program and what the upcoming changes me...

It's the Official Podcast of Manatee County Government! In this episode, we discuss canal clearing operations, Adopt-A-Palooza, the Government Relations Department, and 9000 Town Center Parkway. Please note: At the time of this recording, $2 million had been allocated for canal clearing operations. Since then, the Board of County Commissioners has approved an additional $7.5 million.