The Sarasota/Manatee MPO is the regional transportation planning entity for Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In 1978, the MPO was created to meet the requirements of federal law governing the expenditure of federal transportation funds by state and local agencies in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The original Sarasota/Manatee MPO Board membership consisted of voting representatives of five local governments: Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, and Town of Longboat Key. Today, The Sarasota/Manatee MPO is governed by a 17-member apportioned Board comprised of elected officials representing each county, nine (9) cities, and a representative of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 1 Secretary serves as a non-voting advisor.