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 across local, state, and federal levels of government creating a more transparent, accountable, and effective system for residents.

We dive into the County’s newly created Government Efficiency Liaison Committee (GELC), the recent visit from the FL Department of Government Efficiency (doge), and how these efforts are shaping the standard statewide. We also discuss how we’re building the Board’s 2026 legislative priorities, the launch of Manatee County’s first-ever policy platform, and the debut of Manatee County Day in Tallahassee; what we hope will be an annual tradition where residents can meet their delegation, visit the Capitol, and even showcase local businesses.

Beyond policy and process, Brent and Crosley emphasize the human side of this work: building trust, making government more accessible, and ensuring every taxpayer sees where their money is going. It’s a conversation about progress, transparency, and getting things done on behalf of the people of Manatee County.

🎧 Tune in to discover how Legislative Affairs is changing the way local government works for you.

Related Links:

• Government Efficiency Liaison Committee

• mymanatee.org/jobs

• Manatee County Day
• Government Relations Department