Manatee briefs: Tax bills mailed, Nov. 8 election, Sarasota Medieval Fair & more

Election Day is almost here in Manatee County, and voters are flocking to the polls to support their picks in a handful of contested county, city, and school board races in addition to a high-profile gubernatorial election.

The Sarasota Medieval Fair also has returned, offering themed weekends filled with performances, merchants, games, food, and thrills in east Manatee County.

Residents can also expect their property tax bills to arrive in their mailbox soon, and should also be wary of signs of the red tide before visiting beaches in south Sarasota County.

Spotlight rests on District 2 shines on election night

Catch up: Bellamy, Ballard vie for District 2 seat in high stakes Manatee County general election

Also: County meetings canceled until after November election: 5 things to know in Manatee County

Voters return to the polls on Tuesday for the 2022 general election to cast their ballot in several high-profile local races.

The race between incumbent Democrat Reggie Bellamy and Republican challenger Amanda Ballard for the District 2 Manatee County Commission seat is front and center. Ballard seeks to flip the district to the Republican Party this year on the heels of recent changes made during redistricting last year.

This year, there were three Manatee County seats up for election, but Republican incumbents Carol Whitmore and Misty Servia already fell short in their re-election bids during the Republican primary.

Jason Bearden and Mike Rahn, who defeated Whitmore and Servia, will be the only names that appear in the general election ballot for those races, as the two men are each only opposed by a couple of write-in candidates.

Elections officials remind voters that valid identification is required. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.

Sarasota Medieval Festival returns to Manatee County

The Sarasota Medieval Festival returns to Manatee County this weekend, and visitors will be able to enjoy its assortment of themed food, artisanal crafts, demonstrations, merchant booths, performances, rides, and games until the end of November.

The event is hosted on Saturday and Sunday at the Woods of Mallaranny on State Road 70 East in Myakka City. This year’s theme is Vikings vs. English, and the Battle of Assandum, 1016 AD.

Residents interested in attending the event can visit www.SarasotaMedievalFair.com for information.

Property tax bills mailed

The Manatee County Tax Collector's office mailed 2022 property tax bills on Wednesday.

Residents have until the end of March 2023 to pay their property tax bills, but can receive a 4% discount on payments made by Dec. 1.

Manatee County Property Appraiser Charles Hackney valued the 2022 tax assessment roll at $63.46 billion; the total in taxes to be collected is $995.1 million.

Payments can be made by mail or online at taxcollector.com. Homeowners whose property was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable as a result of Hurricane Ian may be eligible for a payment extension.

Residents who wish to pay next year's tax bill in quarterly installments can apply at the same website by April 30.

Baugh settles ethics case

Catch up: Commissioner Vanessa Baugh settles Lakewood Ranch COVID-19 pop-up clinic ethics case

Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh has settled an ethics case that questioned whether exploited her position as a public official in establishing a vaccine distribution site to serve only residents of Lakewood Ranch.

An advocate has accepted the terms of the settlement agreement, although it must still be officially approved, or rejected, by the ethics commission during its January 27 meeting. It must also be signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Saunders announces retirement

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders has announced plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Saunders has served as Superintendent since June 2018, and will server her final day on June 30.

Red tide found south of Manatee County

Red tide is blooming in some of the Southwest Florida communities hit hardest by Hurricane Ian.

However, no red tide has been found offshore from Manatee County. Last week, "high" levels of red tide were found as far north as City Island in Sarasota County, which is just south of Longboat Key, according to sample data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee briefs: Tax bills mailed, Nov. 8 election & more