MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 18, 2023) – The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 4-3 late this afternoon to appoint District Five Commissioner Vanessa Baugh as the BOCC Chair, effective immediately. This marks her third term as Chair, having previously served in 2016 and 2021.
“We need to come together," she said. “We need to get on the same page and run the County like it needs to be run.”
Baugh takes over for District Three Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who had been chair for the 2022 and 2023 board terms—through today. Commissioner Jason Bearden made the initial motion to make the change in board leadership. That motion was seconded by District One Commissioner James Satcher. The motion carried with Commissioners Rahn, Kruse and Van Ostenbridge dissenting.
The Board also voted 6-1 (with Commissioner Kruse dissenting) to direct the County Attorney to enter negotiations with Jon Mast to take over as Acting County Administrator.