Manatee County commissioner writes memo proposing hiring freeze

A Manatee County commissioner may propose a hiring freeze, citing the current economic downturn. Commissioner Bob McCann plans to raise the hiring freeze for discussion during the board’s June 3 meeting.

“A hiring freeze in Manatee County government can improve efficiency and fiscal responsibility by optimizing current staff and preventing unnecessary expenditures,” McCann writes in a memo accompanying the June 3 meeting agenda.

Manatee County has more than 2,400 employees. A review of its jobs website on May 30 shows it has 40 openings.

McCann’s memo contains a draft resolution that may be proposed at the Manatee commission's June 3 meeting.

“Whereas the current economic downturn necessitates prudent financial management and responsibility in Manatee County, it is in the best interest of Manatee County to maximize efficiency while minimizing unnecessary expenditures,” McCann writes in the memo. “Implementing a temporary hiring freeze will allow for the evaluation of existing resources and workforce optimization.”

The resolution contains a few provisions, including one that says the hiring freeze would only apply to non-essential positions within Manatee County government, “excluding critical roles required for public safety, emergency response and essential county operations.” It also says departments may request exceptions that must be approved by the full county commission, and the hiring freeze shall be periodically reviewed to determine savings and improvements.

McCann’s proposal comes a few months after Gov. Ron DeSantis created a Florida State Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) task force to eliminate bureaucracy, audit local governments, review college and university spending, enhance state agency operations and return unused and surplus funds. DeSantis’ move followed the creation by President Donald Trump of the Department of Government Efficiency in January.

According to McCann, the hiring freeze in Manatee County would be a temporary measure to enhance government efficiency during the economic downturn.

“This hiring freeze shall remain in effect,” he writes, “until economic conditions improve and a reassessment determines that hiring can resume without undue fiscal strain.”

McCann, who earlier this year brought forward the idea of a building moratorium, is raising the hiring freeze at the start of the county’s months-long budget process. On June 9, the county administrator is set to present a proposed budget to the commission. The process also includes public hearings in September before the budget must be adopted for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. Last year's budget was $3.2 billion.