- June 17, 2026
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Commissioners in Manatee County have allocated $6.18 million in Tourist Development Tax funding for a beach renourishment and recovery project on Anna Maria Island, according to a statement. The work follows storm-related erosion caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024 and Hurricane Idalia in 2023.
In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Florida, the county has already secured funding to renourish the Central Beach Segment, which runs from about 79th Street North in Holmes Beach to 5th Street South in Bradenton Beach.
By approving the more than $6 million in funding June 16, commissioners helped position Manatee County to include Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach in the project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to design and construct the renourishment for the Cortez and Coquina beach shorelines in a single-bid contract, which has the potential to save more than $4 million in contractor mobilization costs alone, Manatee County’s Director of Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker says in a memo to commissioners.
With the newly authorized funding, Manatee County will be able to begin construction activities in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Florida while awaiting FEMA and state reimbursement.
“By advancing these funds now, Manatee County can coordinate beach-recovery efforts with our state and federal partners, reducing overall construction costs while accelerating restoration of some of our community’s most valuable coastal assets,” Hunsicker says in the statement.
The bid opening for the project will occur in late July or early August, according to Hunsicker. Construction is expected to begin in November and conclude in March or April 2027.
The Tourist Development Tax is a 13% tax on rentals of six months or less, with 6% going to Manatee County and 7% going to the state. Manatee County collected more than $32.18 million from the Tourist Development Tax in fiscal year 2024 to 2025.
