Manatee swims with top fiscal counties in Florida

BRADENTON — Manatee County's financial standing ranks among the top 5% of local Florida governments, according to a recent debt and credit update.

“Manatee has borrowed wisely over the years and its prompt, regular payment on large public projects has helped save millions of taxpayer dollars over time,” states a release from the county, quoting an analyst from MBS Capital Markets. Of the 67 Florida counties, seven have a credit rating that is greater than or equal to Manatee County, the statement adds.

“Manatee County has been one of the best run utilities in the state for the past 30 years,” says Ed Bulleit, an MBS managing partner, in the statement. “The county's credit ratings are essentially as good as it gets.”

Manatee's general obligation debt also received strong credit ratings, the release states.