Baugh to chair Manatee County Port Authority for another term

The Manatee County Port Authority's board has elected Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh to a third consecutive term as chairwoman.

Baugh has served on the Florida port's board since 2012. She was re-elected as chair last week.

The board also welcomed two new members: Reggie Bellamy and Misty Servia, who were elected to the Manatee County Commission in November.

Other board members elected to one-year terms were Priscilla Whisenant Trace, first vice chairwoman; Bellamy, second vice chairman; and Betsy Benac, third vice chairwoman.

The authority's board consists of the seven members of the elected Manatee County Commission, but with distinctively separate officers and financial accountability, port officials said in a press release. The authority sets policy and oversees major expenditures for Port Manatee.