Manatee County DOGE Committee Begins Its Efforts

As the Florida State DOGE Task Force initiates an audit of Manatee County’s expenditures since August 5, local residents are just beginning to engage in the process.

The newly formed Government Efficiency Liaison Committee met for the first time on August 26 at the Manatee County Administration Building.

Mark Stanoch, a former tech executive and candidate for the Manatee County School Board, was elected chair of the committee.

The committee comprises four additional members: David Otterness, vice president of Willis Smith Construction; Donald Berg, president of DCB Advisory Services; John Settineri, a former lawyer and CPA; and Benjamin Heavener, a senior CPA at Jim Gay CPA.

Tasked with mirroring the state audit, the committee will scrutinize records to find ways to reduce spending in Manatee County.

Though consisting of five members, all county residents can participate in the audit process online or in person. Citizens can access a form on the Manatee County website at MyManatee.org, and each meeting includes a slot for public comments.

Art Vetter from Country Club East attended the initial meeting to question the $6.4 million being spent on installing three youth baseball fields at Country Club East Park. His experience in remodeling gas stations leaves him baffled by the high costs.

“I’ve built 2,500 gas stations in my career,” he remarked. “I can’t see how a baseball field would cost that much—it’s just dirt, a bit of clay, and some fencing. Why is the county spending so much?”

Vetter recalled that his last gas station project in Bradenton cost $3 million and included a 5,100-square-foot building with cooking equipment, coolers, and underground infrastructure.

As an engaged citizen, Vetter expressed his concerns and left the meeting. The committee is set to review 4,500 documents, including budget books from the previous three years, prepared by county staff for the state task force.

Additionally, Settineri requested access to the county’s organizational chart and employee count, while Stanoch asked for budget benchmarks from other counties.

Heavener noted recent significant purchases of land and facilities by the county that merit closer examination.

Otterness indicated he had no specific agenda beyond serving the community effectively.

As the 2024 chair for the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, he sees value in bringing his experience managing a company with about 100 employees to the committee’s work.

“I understand the economic, financial, HR, and IT aspects,” he added.

Although created to liaise with the state task force, Otterness also intends to act as a bridge to the residents.

As vice president of Willis Smith Construction, he often interacts with the public and plans to direct residents to the county’s website for formally documenting their suggestions.

Public comments will be reviewed by the committee monthly.

Commissioner Jason Bearden shared a list of expenses he’d like the committee to investigate, encouraging citizens to do the same.

Infrastructure is a priority for Bearden, highlighting that it costs Manatee County $8 million to construct a single mile of road.

“This is their (citizens) money,” Bearden stated. “They need to know how it’s being spent.”

The committee has a year to conduct its audit and present recommendations to the commission. The state task force is expected to deliver its recommendations within 60 days following its August visit.