Issues | Amanda Ballard 2026

Preserving Our Agricultural Heritage

Amanda believes in preserving Manatee County's agricultural heritage, while inspiring a new generation of farmers. She spearheaded the purchase of the historic Mixon Fruit Farms, saving the site from development. There are plans for the farm to feature an event venue, farmer's market, teaching kitchen, historic citrus groves, and 20 acres of land set aside for urban 4-H and FFA students to house projects like swine, steer, and poultry. She also created a highly successful Community Gardens program.

Reducing Homelessness

Amanda has led efforts to reduce homelessness in our cities and urban core. This is a huge public safety and quality of life concern for residents throughout District 2. Amanda led the project to provide a women's shelter, opened just last year. In the next two years, a second shelter, run by our Sheriff will open, and the Salvation Army will begin serving exclusively families. This increased shelter capacity will allow law enforcement to robustly enforce anti camping and loitering laws, cleaning up our streets and increasing public safety. These projects are being funded through opioid litigation funds — NOT your tax dollars.

Supporting Veterans

As the sister of a career Air Force sergeant, Amanda understands the difficulties faced by military families, and is committed to supporting and giving back to the nearly 10% of Manatee County residents who served our country in the US military. She supported the Tunnel to Towers project, which will provide 122 permanent homes to homeless, disabled, and disadvantaged veterans in our community. She is also supporting the Valor Commons initiative — services, camaraderie, and a memorial park to honor our veterans and fallen heroes, all on one campus.

Urban Core Reinvestment

Amanda believes in creating opportunity and investment for young people and families in our urban core. She has overseen unprecedented reinvestment in District 2, including John Marble Park, the updated Bradenton Area Convention Center, Washington Park and Community Center, Community Gardens at Elwood Park, Mixon Farms, lighting projects in Samoset, Oneco, and Washington Park, the completion of the 44th Ave. E. extension, as well as major stormwater work, sidewalk projects, and beautification projects throughout the District. She has strong partnerships with the Mayors of both Bradenton and Palmetto.

Fixing Garbage Pickup

The changes to garbage pickup have left many residents feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Amanda pledges to bring back bulk home pickup options for residents to ease the burden on families, and to continue to listen and respond to residents' concerns.

Affordability for Seniors and Families

As a mother and someone from a blue-collar background, Amanda is acutely aware of the affordability challenges families in Manatee County face. She is dedicated to continuing to lower the millage rate and give families property tax relief. She also recognizes the struggles of our senior populations and those on fixed incomes, prioritizing affordable housing options for seniors in District 2.

Gaining Ground on the Opioid Crisis

Through her work in the local child welfare system, Amanda understands the gaps in treatment for substance abuse in our community. She is leading an innovative partnership with Helping Up Mission, which has provided year-long, comprehensive substance abuse treatment free of charge to over 130 Manatee County residents in the last year. This initiative is funded through opioid settlement funds — NOT your tax dollars.

Supporting First Responders

Amanda has worked closely with police and first responders for her entire career, from detectives investigating child abuse, to child protective investigators, and EMS. On the Board of County Commissioners, she partners with the Sheriff's office on initiatives like the Fresh Start Shelter and homelessness enforcement, a juvenile curfew with sensible exceptions, and a proposed ban on highly dangerous and currently unregulated designer drugs.

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Issues that shape District 2