MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island once again has an elected city official serving on the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).
The last elected Island official to sit on the TDC was former Anna Maria Commissioner Doug Copeland, who helped secure TDC-supported funds for the construction of the new City Pier completed in 2020.
On Jan. 28, Manatee County Commissioners appointed Holmes Beach Commission Chair Dan Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat recently vacated by former Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant.
County commissioners appointed Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa Managing Director and minority owner Anthony “Tony” DeRusso to fill the hotelier’s seat recently vacated by Anna Maria Island businessman Ed Chiles.
Diggins, Palmetto Mayor Dan West and Longboat Key Town Commissioner Debra Williams sought the vacant elected official’s seat. DeRusso, Anna Maria Island developer and hotel owner Shawn Kaleta, Wagner Realty rental property manager Lisa Varano and Realtor/Short Term Florida Rentals LLC owner Damien Hernandez sought the vacant hotelier’s seat.
Serving as an advisory board to the county commission, TDC members make non-binding recommendations regarding the proposed tourism-related expenditures of the revenues generated by the county’s 6% tourist development tax. The tax applies to all lodging stays of six months or less in Manatee County and last year it generated approximately $30 million in tax revenues. Per state law, tourist development tax revenues can only be spent on projects and initiatives that promote or enhance tourism.
The appointments
Having received the TDC candidates’ applications before Tuesday’s meeting, District 3 County Commissioner Tal Siddique nominated Diggins to fill the elected official’s seat and District 6 at-large Commissioner Jason Bearden nominated West. Before the vote occurred, County Commission Chair George Kruse said he previously reached out to West to explain his support for Diggins.
“The islands (Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key) have not had an elected official representative on the TDC during my time on the board,” Kruse said. “They have not been given fair representation considering the disproportionate amount of capital and funds they contribute. I talked to Dan West and he understood.”
Kruse noted that Eric Cairns also sits on the TDC. Cairns manages the Cedar Cove Resort in Holmes Beach.
Commissioner Amanda Ballard expressed similar support for Diggins.
“For much the same reason, I will be backing Dan Diggins. I don’t want all these north county people represented with no representation from the islands when they provide so much in the way of our tourist economy,” she said.
The commission voted 5-2 in favor of Diggins, with Bearden and Mike Rahm supporting West.
Diggins’ TDC term will expire in June 2028.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione said he would reach out to West and Williams.
“If they have interest in tourism, we want them to be part of our dialogue,” he said.
Falcione said the hotelier appointee would fill the TDC seat that Chiles held for more than 25 years, but would only do so until June, when all four current hotelier terms expire and become open for reappointment or appointment.
Bearden nominated DeRusso and with no further discussion or additional nominees, the commission voted 7-0 in favor of DeRusso’s appointment. Kaleta did not attend the meeting and no meeting attendees offered public input on any of the applicants.
Appointee’s insights
Diggins attended the morning session of the county meeting but left before the TDC appointments were made late that afternoon.
The following day, he said, “I think it’s an asset for an elected official from the Island to be on the council because the Island contributes as much tourist tax revenues as the rest of the county combined. I have a very good relationship with Elliott and I really appreciate the trust the county commission has in me. I’ll do a good job representing the Island and the county. My first meeting will be Feb. 24 at Bradenton city hall.”
Tourist tax revenues were used to launch the county-contracted Gulf Islands Ferry service and the tourist tax revenues subsidize that ongoing public transportation operation. Diggins supports having a ferry stop in Holmes Beach and sitting on the TDC might increase the odds of that happening.
“We live on an Island. It makes sense. The two current boats are starter vessels and they’re getting a third boat built that’s enclosed and designed for the waters, currents, winds and weather we have out here. Elliott and I have talked about a ferry stop at the Kingfish Boat Ramp. The county would have to put some money into it and we should use TDC funds to do it,” he said.
Diggins’ appointment illustrates the improved relations between Holmes Beach and Manatee County officials since the 2024 elections reshaped the county commission.
“The city and the county couldn’t continue down the negative road we were on. Both parties recognized that and this is a step in the right direction,” Diggins said.
Standing outside the commission chambers after his appointment, DeRusso said, “I’m humbled by the appointment and I’m honored to be sitting at the table – especially in the seat of a legend like Ed Chiles. The Island’s ‘old Florida’ experience was the first thing I fell in love with when I came here from northern California nine years ago. Protecting that experience for the residents and future visitors is important and we also need to continue to invest in the Island and enhance it.”
DeRusso noted the Palmetto Marriott Resort is located near the entrance to the county’s urban core and next to the county-owned convention center; and Falcione has frequently expressed his desire for a ferry stop near the convention center and the new hotel.
“We need to make sure we have a diversified ‘tool belt’ to attract visitors and weather the different types of storms, literally and figuratively, we experience here in Manatee County. I look forward to diversifying the investments that help grow tourism in this area.”
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