Chris Gilbert

Q. What will be the top issue impacting businesses in 2021?  What role should the County play in addressing it?
A. The impact of coherent and effective public policy–or the lack thereof– on business. Today, the prevailing consensus is that, between government and the ostensibly free market, private interests create the best possible world. But this isn’t so. Manatee County accommodates businesses that decide to operate here because of our attractive setting, but we tolerate industries and projects that deplete our natural advantages and even pollute our environment. The short-term concerns by which businesses make decisions do not make for beneficial long-term public policy. The proper role of government is to form and implement long-term plans, efficiently and progressively collect revenue, and deploy it to create public good that also benefits business. Some of the ways The County could do so is to make significant investments, through incentives for example, in sustainable manufacturing. In addition, investments in human capital are critical, by subsidizing worker retraining. Rising wages and education-levels for citizens mean they have more money to input into the consumer service economy, for housing, and even for the financial services industry (insurance and retirement investments). From a cost standpoint, it is cheaper to prevent environmental problems now than to pay to clean them up, later. Business is a very complex activity, but it is tasked with a narrow focus on the short-term profits of usually a single company or industry. Government, with the long-term public good. The two need not be mutually exclusive.

Q. Anticipating a decline in revenue during upcoming fiscal years for Manatee County, how would you address budget shortfalls?  What are your priorities within a decreased budget?
A. For a myriad of regulatory and political reasons, the governmental budgeting process is necessarily conservative, even for progressives. Downturns always come, sooner or later, and an adequate reserve is crucial. My priorities would change, according to the severity and length of any downturn in revenue, but I prioritize paying for ongoing Human Services programs (which are underfunded to begin with) that the County has committed to, over buying new military-grade weapons or paramilitary training for police, for example.

Q. How would you support economic and workforce development in Manatee County?
A. Human capital is one of our County’s biggest untapped resources. Folks in Manatee County have fewer good career options here; they have to drive an hour or more to reach a state research university; often, they cannot afford to return to school. I support spending County money to help workers displaced by COVID19 access job retraining. I support the Manasota region getting its own state research university. C19 can lead to innovations in education. If people could earn a law degree online, for example, our Administrative & Business Services sector would expand. Sustainable manufacturing is one of our biggest economic opportunities, and I would support incentives for companies in high-tech manufacturing. One of the biggest exports out of Port Manatee is used cars and phosphate products. These are not forward-thinking activities. I’d support studying how Port Manatee can become a big export-port, as well as import.

Q. Manatee County lacks a sufficient supply of attainable housing to support the local workforce.  This impacts businesses in terms of attracting and retaining talent and affects the community’s quality of life.   What role should the County play in the supply of attainable housing and how would you address this issue?
A. There are two ways to help people own a home. One is to ensure a sufficient number of affordable houses are available. Another is to help people get better jobs with higher pay. While economic development is critical, it won’t house everyone who wants to own a home. There are economic and cultural benefits that come from more citizens owning homes, and everyone benefits, both in terms of tax revenue, and community-building. I support revising our comprehensive plan to require a percent of new construction be affordable. I’d advocate for expedited permitting and mortgage approval for citizens. And importantly, affordable housing shows we value seniors, public employees, the working-poor, disabled, low-income, and homeless.

Q. Transportation continues to be an issue within Manatee County, both in terms of existing options as well as long-term planning and projects.  What are your top 2 transportation priorities and how would you fund them?
A. Transportation infrastructure consistently ranks at the top of citizens’ concerns and frustrations. My top transportation priority is expanding the access and attractiveness of public transportation. When I worked at SunTrust Bank on Siesta Key way back in the 1980’s, many of my wealthy clients loved taking the trolley to shopping. We need to find out what can make public transit safe, fun, and convenient. Of course there’s an economic benefit. Many people who would gladly work at Port Manatee cannot get there, because all they have is a bike, and the buses are inconvenient or don’t move on the schedule of the Port. So many important things tie together to make Manatee County more livable. Green space, medians with trees, a vibrant local arts, entertainment, and local retail, accessible and convenient by bus, would alleviate a lot of car traffic. My second priority is to ensure that when the County acquires land, it works with private property owners in a friendly manner, where owners are recognized for the important civic contributions they make. The process is important, not only the outcome.