The West Manatee Fire Rescue District could return to its beginnings in Bradenton Beach.
Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski told The Islander Sept. 10 that the district’s proposed $1 million purchase of property in the island’s southernmost city involves the Bradenton Beach Fire Lodge, 201 Second St. N.
The deal was approved by the property owner, Bradenton Beach Fire Lodge Inc., and the district has 60 days to close the deal. William “Buddy” Bowen, president of the nonprofit organization, also is a first-class firefighter/paramedic for WMFR.
In addition to its administrative headquarters in Bradenton, the district currently has three fire stations:
- Station 1 at 407 67th St. W., Bradenton;
- Station 2 at 10350 Cortez Rd., Bradenton;
- Station 3 at 6001 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
While the district covers Bradenton Beach, it has not had a station in the city since 2000, when the Anna Maria and West Side fire districts merged into WMFR and decommissioned the Bradenton Beach fire hall.
The lodge also has been used as a meeting place for other nonprofits, municipal elections and yard sales.
Chief Ben Rigney introduced the possibility of purchasing property in the city at the district’s commission meeting in August, but did not reveal the address until a Sept. 9 meeting, after the deal had been approved.
Kwiatkowski said WMFR fire commissioners voted 3-1 at the meeting to tentatively approve the contract, with an amendment to retain the right of refusal for the next 60 days while the property is evaluated.
Commissioner Robert Bennett, a member of the Bradenton Beach Fire Lodge, recused himself from the vote.
Commissioner Larry Jennis voted “no,” having previously argued that the purchase was unnecessary.
Kwiatkowksi said the district will hire an engineer to evaluate the property to see if it meets WMFR’s needs, such as if it is adequate for the development of a fourth station.
Before the 60-day timeline ends Nov. 11, that evaluator will present findings to the fire commission, which will then vote to either close on the deal or pull out of it.
The district only has one more commission meeting before that deadline, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the administrative headquarters, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.
Kwiatkowksi called the deal a “fantastic opportunity” to lay the groundwork for expansion.
He said the district has stationed staff at the Annie Silver Community Center, 103 23rd St. N., Bradenton Beach, to reduce response times in the municipality during spring break.
Kwiatkowski said he believed it was a “great idea” to reestablish a permanent presence in the city, especially at the relatively low — for island property — cost of $1 million.
District adopts 2025-26 budget
Fire commissioners also unanimously voted to adopt the district’s $16,683,907 budget for fiscal 2025-26, which begins Oct. 1.
The proposed spending plan includes $13,194,092 in total estimated revenues and $3,489,815 for the budgeted use of impact and reserve funds.
On the expenditure side of things, $11,149,049 was budgeted for personnel expenses, $3,438,000 for capital outlay and $2,096,857 for operating expenses.
The district also included $6,671,953 in total reserve funds for the upcoming fiscal year.
The highlight of the budget is the purchase of two new fire engines for $1.9 million.
There was no public comment on the budget.
