NOTICE OF BOND REFERENDUM

A bond referendum of the qualified electors of Manatee County, Florida, will be held on November 3, 2026, to determine whether or not the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purpose stated in the ballot question set forth below shall be approved by such qualified electors.

All qualified electors residing in the County shall be entitled to and permitted to vote in such bond referendum.

The polls will be open at the voting places from Seven (7) o'clock A.M. until Seven (7) o'clock P.M. on the same day or as otherwise determined by the Supervisor of Elections.

The places of voting and the Inspectors and Clerks for the polling places for the bond referendum shall be determined in the same manner as for general elections.

Voting machines or electronic or electromechanical voting equipment will be used at such bond referendum and the ballot to be used shall be in substantially the following form and contain the following question:

WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, OVERDEVELOPMENT PREVENTION, NATURAL LANDS PRESERVATION, AND PUBLIC PRESERVES GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS REFERENDUM

To acquire, improve, maintain, and contribute to the acquisition of lands and other property interests to protect drinking water sources, water quality, wildlife habitat, natural and environmentally sensitive lands from overdevelopment and provide public preserves, shall Manatee County levy an additional 0.16 mill ad valorem tax and issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $75,000,000, maturing within 20 years, bearing interest not exceeding the legal rate, payable from ad valorem taxes, and provide annual public audits?

                                                                                                                                                                                FOR BONDS ______

                                                                                                                                                                                AGAINST BONDS ___

With respect to the foregoing question, if a majority of the votes cast at such bond referendum on the issuance of the general obligation bonds shall be in favor of the issuance of the general obligation bonds, the general obligation bonds shall be declared approved and may be issued by the County as provided by law. In the event less than a majority of those voting on the issuance of the general obligation bonds shall be in favor of the issuance of the general obligation bonds, the issuance of the general obligation bonds shall be deemed to have failed, and the County will not issue such general obligation bonds.

                                                                                                                           Angelina "Angel" Colonneso, Esq.

                                                                                                                           Clerk of the Board of County

                                                                                                                           Commissioners of Manatee County, Florida

Date Published: August 3, 2026