Manatee County Commission District 3: Matt Bower

Name: Matt Bower

Age: 46

Family: Married (Marilyn), son, Nathan, and four rescue fur-babies.

Bio: 

I am a Republican running with No Party Affiliation on the general election ballot. I chose to run as an NPA allowing all voters to have a voice in this election after my opponent used a loophole to disenfranchise over half the voters in District 3. What this means quite simply is unless you were a Republican, you would have been eliminated from voting for your county commissioner. I am a lifelong resident of West Manatee County, graduating from Bayshore High School and leaving to serve 7seven years in the U.S. Army. I went on to earn my bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Leo University and have been a business executive and currently a financial adviser with Edward Jones serving clients all around this community and abroad. 

I volunteered for four years on the county's Planning Commission, as the vice president of the Manatee Tiger by the Bay and also for several organizations helping veterans with PTSD. I am an advocate for rescue animals and have four current adopted animals.

Why are you running for office?

I have unique qualifications that my opponents does not:

• I am the only candidate who served our country for seven years active duty Army. 
• I am the only candidate with a university degree, graduating from St. Leo University (business administration). An important qualification for someone running a business as large as the county.
• I am the only candidate who has stood up to the developers who continue to ask for the moon attempting to circumvent our environmental rules, causing traffic impacts and degrading our environment. 
• I am also the only candidate that is not accepting any money or contributions from developers, and, as a result, I am the only candidate that will have no strings attached. Rather, my public service duties are to serve the people of this community.

We have seen irresponsible growth lead to our tremendous traffic congestion with poor planning by our elected leaders and county staff. We have seen our water quality within our rivers and bays erode our natural resources and create epic red tide events impacting our health and enjoyment of life. 

I have an overriding passion to help others and will be the leader representing the voice of the people. I lead by example, never asking anyone to do anything I am unwilling to do.

District 3 comprising of most of West Manatee County and the island cities has gone far too long without a leader willing and able to do what is right ensuring the voices of the people are heard. When you cast your ballot, I ask you to vote for Matt Bower.

I will establish monthly town hall meetings, using our new virtual meeting format, and in person consistent with our health department's recommendations. Your input is critical to Manatee County.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term? 

1. Traffic congestion, especially to and from the islands: Manatee County continues to be reactive when forecasting and planning for our traffic needs. We need to work with Longboat Key residents to find a solution to their traffic nightmares. Some residents tell me they feel like prisoners who can’t get off the island or back to their homes. As your District 3 county commissioner, I will advocate and press the need to be forward thinking and be proactive in our planning. 
2. Failing infrastructure: Coinciding with our traffic woes, the county's poor planning and reactive Band-Aids on our infrastructure is leading to more sewage spills than ever before. This, among other problems, is piling up quickly leading to a loss of enjoyment of life, severe reduction in water quality, epic red-tide outbreaks.
3. Water quality and our environment: Arguably, nothing is more important to our community than our water quality and the special aspects of our environment that separates Manatee and Sarasota Counties from anywhere in the world. We must combat the issues we are facing, near and long term, that will help bring our waters and habit back to life for generations to come to enjoy and admire. Red tide impacts Longboat Key especially hard, and we can do better.

What role should the county play to increase the amount of workforce/affordable housing? 

Everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive. Improving the opportunities and the quality of life for everyone in Manatee County should and will be part of our economic compass. I will support the county's responsibilities to collaborate with community leaders and surrounding organizations that will help advance business and workforce development. Investing in our future is vital to our sustainable and responsible growth with a mission towards a more diverse, healthy and vibrant community. One of the first things we need to ensure is that our educational system is providing a talented workforce. I will work with not only the school board but our colleges, universities and trade schools to refine our goals. The chamber is an important conduit for the business community to the government. With a combination of educational programs, providing workforce housing and a reason for our young people to stay, work and play local, we can maintain a vibrant future. I do not believe the county can be successful without a collaborative, community effort. I will be the “people's voice” and provide effective leadership with the skills instilled within me when I served our country for seven years in the Army. I would serve an important role as a commissioner being the only veteran, helping to tap an important resource, assisting and hiring our vets.

What do you think the county’s role is in stimulating business in the aftermath of COVID-19?

Along with our state and federal government, we need to do everything we can to help our small businesses and the unemployed workers. We need to continue to evaluate the ever-changing economic landscape. Considering the cyclical nature of our local economy, largely driven by tourism, our small businesses and service-based workers are the hardest hit. Helping this group through these trying times would be my priority. As a county commissioner, I will seek funding from all levels to insure we can help get businesses back as quickly and as safely as possible.

What is your position on impact fees? Should they be raised? Why or why not?

Although fundamentally I am against raising taxes, I do not categorize impact fees as a tax. Growth must pay for itself. It's no secret that I voted for 100% impact fees. While hearing the argument that the fees are passed on to the homebuyer, the market sets the price of the home, not impact fees. That said, how the impact fees are applied should be reconstructed to remove un-intended consequences. Nevertheless, we are one of the fastest growing communities in the U.S. Growth should pay for itself, and new growth expenditures, such as roads, public safety services and so on, should not come from the county's general fund. Impact fees are not paying for the infrastructure needed by new development and this translates into a hidden tax on existing citizens. Developers make millions as citizens get to pay the bills they were responsible to pay.

In what areas of county government spending do you think the county could cut expenses without hurting services? Would you support an increase in the millage rate to provide more services for county residents?

I do not support an increase in the millage rate. First, Manatee County has money in reserves that should be evaluated first and find the proper balance. This could free up cash for other county needs. Second, with the year to year increase in property values, the taxes we pay are still going up. I am fiscally conservative, and commit to a thorough review of the budget, engaging the public is crucial. Any spending from the county must be for the greater good of the community and long-term planning is a must. We cannot afford to continue to be short-sighted and hurt ourselves in the long run.

The Legislature has enacted laws to reduce nutrient runoff, and local governments are expected to do their part. The county staff has introduced charging a new stormwater management fee to all property owners. What’s your position?

A storm water fee would be an unfair tax (not a fee). Although addressing our run-off and water quality is one of my top priorities, politically driven land-use decisions have greatly exacerbated the problem, and it was the same commissioners who rubber-stamped just about every request for a rezone or comp plan amendment adding greater development density in ill-conceived areas that now want to charge existing homeowners for one of the costs that their lack of thoughtful planning has created.

The county already has a good stormwater ordinance. Taking a page from prior Commissioner Joe McClash, we can establish Municipal Service Taxing Units create to address specific drainage basins. By using the tools already on hand, we can avoid costly studies and consultant fees, engage the public to keep them informed and provide solutions that are fair to the taxpayers based on their geographic location.

If elected, what will be your priorities on roads and transportation? How should the county commission address road capacity to handle future growth?

This is a major issue for West Manatee County, especially on and off the island. As I did last election cycle, I will make every effort to work with our local and state leaders to promote new bridges that provide for more efficiency. Uniquely, we have an opportunity to expand the island's transit system that will encourage people to get out of their cars before the island for a quicker and less stressful way to enjoy what our islands have to offer. Manatee County needs to reconsider funding the Longboat Key Trolley, it is part of the solution and with all the money we receive from Longboat Key this is only fair. 

Vacation rentals: How should they be regulated — locally or by the state? And if locally, by the county or municipalities? How would you regulate them?

I am a believer in home rule. As your March 24, 2017, article written by Bob Carter and Dick York stated, a group of venture capitalists thousands of miles away have no clue what is best for the Island communities. I believe the zoning rules governing commercial uses are best left up to the elected officials of our community. Growing up here, I have seen how much change we have experienced. Local governments should have the ability to set reasonable regulations working with this industry. We must allow local residences to keep their way of life There is a way to coexist while keeping the integrity of our unique communities. I firmly intend to play a big part so that our islands do not become a St. Pete or Clearwater Beach.