Manatee Clerk launches a new online platform for property tax appeals

New system lets homeowners file, pay, and track Value Adjustment Board petitions from any device — and automatically pulls property details to save time and reduce errors

The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller has launched Equity Bridge Pro, a new online platform for filing a petition with the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) — becoming the first county in Florida to use this particular system.

Previously, petitioners filed by mail, email, or in person, and staff manually processed each case — collecting the $50 filing fee, entering data by hand, and coordinating hearing dates individually. That process could take several weeks before a case was fully scheduled. Equity Bridge Pro consolidates each step into a single online system.

Property owners who want to dispute their property tax assessment can now file a petition from a computer, tablet, or phone. The platform is free to join and keeps payments, reminders, hearing dates, and documents in one place — with all messages and reminders sent automatically, so petitioners always know their case status without calling the office.

Equity Bridge Pro connects directly with the Property Appraiser's Office, automatically filling in property details on the petition to save time and reduce typos or missing information. If a petitioner notices incorrect information pulled from the Property Appraiser's records, they can contact the VAB team by email at vab@manateeclerk.com to request a correction.

The platform also gives property owners, attorneys, magistrates, and the Property Appraiser shared access to the same case information — replacing the fragmented, manual coordination the process has relied on until now. For residents who prefer not to file online, paper filing remains available through the Clerk's Board Records department, which manages the VAB process.

For Clerk's office staff, consolidating the process into a single system reduces manual data entry and administrative back-and-forth, freeing up time to focus on more ways to serve the public.

"Every property owner deserves a simple, transparent way to exercise their right to appeal," said Angel Colonneso, Esq., Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County. "Equity Bridge Pro puts the entire process in one place, so residents spend less time navigating paperwork and more time getting answers."

To create a free account and file a petition, visit the Value Adjustment Board page to get started.

Published date: July 14, 2026