Posts tagged Bradenton Beach
Majority of Bradenton Beach Police Officers oppose unionization
April 30, 2026 // After discussing the potential police department unionization during a special city commission meeting held on Thursday, April 23, the mayor, commissioners, police chief and labor attorney also discussed contracting the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office to provide the city’s law enforcement services instead, with an estimated first-year cost savings of $628,000. Regarding his communications with the sheriff’s office, Eschenfelder said, “Yesterday, I was informed by the sheriff’s office that their preliminary review of our staffing needs is that they would be able to perform that role for $1.5 million, and likely less. That is based upon eight deputies and one sergeant. When you look at your current budget of $2,128,000 for municipal policing, that’s a saving for the city of $628,000 a year.” Regarding the potential cost savings, Mayor John Chappie said, “We have a fiduciary responsibility. We are sworn to maintain the health, safety and well-being of our community and the police department is the key to that. I think we need to continue the negotiations with the proposal from the sheriff’s department.”