Notices

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 18, 2026) – Manatee County Government offices and libraries will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026, to commemorate Memorial Day.

All garbage, recycling, yard waste and monthly bulk collections for residents in Unincorporated Manatee County will be delayed by one day, from Monday through Friday. For example, Monday’s collection will occur on Tuesday, Tuesday’s collection will occur on Wednesday and so on. Verify your new bulk collection day by visiting the Resident Information Tool at mymanatee.org. The Lena Road Landfill also will be closed on Monday, May 25, with normal hours resuming on Tuesday, May 26.

There will be no Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) fixed route or Handy Bus service May 25. The Anna Maria Island Trolley will operate normal daily routes, and the Manatee Avenue Beach Express will operate on a holiday schedule.

Manatee County parks and beaches will be open to the public. Manatee County and Buffalo Creek Golf Courses will be open. Manatee County’s natural preserves will remain open. County Recreation Centers, GT Bray and John H. Marble, will be open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a modified group exercise schedule. The Aquatic Center at GT Bray will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those looking to use the CV Walton Racquet Center must enter through the G.T. Bray Recreation Center.

The Lincoln Aquatic Center and John H. Marble Aquatic Center will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lap swim and family swim sessions offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Each aquatic center will operate in two-hour sessions throughout the day.

Manatee County also will join communities across the region in honoring the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States during Memorial Day observances taking place throughout the county and neighboring areas.

“Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom,” said Mike Rahn, Manatee County District 4 commissioner. “We encourage our community to come together in reflection and gratitude as we honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation.”

Residents and visitors are invited to attend ceremonies, parades and community events designed to reflect, remember and pay tribute to fallen service members.

The Manatee County Veterans Council will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park, 176 Waterfront Drive in Bradenton, at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25, and will include remarks from local leaders, patriotic presentations and a moment of remembrance.

Additional observances and events will take place throughout the region over Memorial Day weekend:

Experience the "Remembering Our Fallen" photographic war memorial exhibit, a tribute honoring U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice since Sept. 11, 2001, including more than 300 from Florida. The free exhibit will be on display at Donald L. Courtney Veterans Park, 176 Waterfront Drive in Bradenton, from 12 p.m. Friday, May 22, through 6 p.m. Monday, May 25.

Celebrate America 250 by experiencing The Freedom 250 Mobile Museum at the Lakewood Ranch library May 22 to 24. The mobile museum will be in the parking lot of the library located at 16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Bradenton. It is open Noon to 5 p.m. on May 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 23, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 24. The "Freedom Truck" coast-to-coast initiative is designed to bring immersive, interactive historical exhibits directly into communities nationwide.

The City of Anna Maria is holding a Memorial Day event at 10 a.m., May 25, at the Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

A formal ceremony at Sarasota National Cemetery on Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 a.m. will feature a wreath-laying, guest speakers and military honors. To register as a volunteer for flag placement, go to sarasotawreaths.com.

The annual Memorial Day Parade in downtown Sarasota will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, followed by a commemorative ce

Cleanup at Historic Old Memphis Cemetery

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 15, 2026) – Manatee County Government, in partnership with the City of Palmetto and City of Bradenton, will host a cleanup and beautification effort at Old Memphis Cemetery on Saturday, May 23 beginning at 9 a.m.

“Acts of vandalism do not define our community. The response does,” said Amanda Ballard, Manatee County district 2 commissioner. “What we are seeing now is neighbors, families, volunteers, and local partners coming together to restore dignity to this historic cemetery and honor the generations of people buried there, including veterans who served our country. Ahead of Memorial Day, this effort is about remembrance, respect, and unity.”

Old Memphis Cemetery, a historic predominantly Black cemetery where generations of local families and veterans are buried, was recently vandalized with political graffiti. Multiple gravestones were smashed and damaged, and several headstones were toppled.

In response, local businesses, residents, contractors, community leaders, and volunteers have come together to help restore and preserve the cemetery.

The cleanup effort will focus on beautification, debris removal, landscaping, and restoration support as the community works to honor those laid to rest at the historic site.

Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to arrive prepared for outdoor cleanup work beginning at 9 a.m. on May 23. The cemetery is located at 25th St. W & Second Ave. W, Palmetto, FL 32441.

Additional restoration and preservation efforts are also being supported through community partnerships and local contractor assistance.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or contact Manatee County Government Communications at news@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-6397 (NEWS). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.

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Manatee County Information Outreach

Manatee County Opens Applications for $1.2 Million Housing Repair Program

Applications now open for eligible home repairs, accessibility upgrades, and replacement assistance.

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 06, 2026) – Manatee County has opened applications for $1.2 million in housing rehabilitation and replacement assistance for eligible low- and very low-income households through The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program.

“For many residents, a needed repair or accessibility improvement is not a luxury,” said George Kruse, Manatee County District 7 commissioner at-large. “This program helps remove some of those barriers and gives families the opportunity to improve their living conditions in a meaningful, lasting way allowing them to stay safely in the home they already have.”

The funding, available through the county’s SHIP Housing Rehabilitation/Replacement Program, will help qualifying homeowners complete critical repairs, accessibility upgrades, and other improvements that allow them to remain safely and independently in their homes.

Eligible households must be in unincorporated Manatee County or the City of Palmetto and meet program income and property value requirements. To qualify as a special needs household, at least one member of the home must have a developmental disability, disabling condition, or receive SSD/SSDI or other disability benefits.

The program provides 0% interest-deferred payment 20-year loans for code-related repairs to single-family homes and, in some cases, the replacement of dilapidated single-family housing structures. Funding may also support home modifications, adaptive devices, and other improvements that enhance accessibility, safety, and overall livability.

“These improvements can directly affect someone’s daily quality of life,” said Michael Strollo, Manatee County Community and Veterans Services communications coordinator. “Whether it’s addressing a serious repair or making a home more accessible, this program is designed to help households remain safer, more stable, and better supported.”

Entry forms are now available on Manatee County’s Rehabilitation / Replacement Program webpage. Residents who need help completing or submitting an online entry form can call (941) 749-3029.

Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2026, and county staff will conduct a lottery-style drawing on May 19, 2026, to determine the order in which applications will be reviewed. Funding will be awarded to eligible households who meet all requirements until all available funds have been committed.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or contact Manatee County Government Communications at news@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-6397 (NEWS). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.

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Manatee County Information Outreach

NEWS line: (941) 745-6397 (NEWS)

news@mymanatee.org

Manatee County Opens Applications for $550,000 Housing Repair Program Serving Special Needs Households

Applications now open for eligible home repairs, accessibility upgrades, and replacement assistance.

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 14, 2026) — Manatee County opened applications today for more than $550,000 in housing rehabilitation and replacement assistance for eligible low- and very low-income special needs households.

“For many residents, a needed repair or accessibility improvement is not a luxury,” said Geroge Kruse, Manatee County commissioner at large. “This program helps remove some of those barriers and gives families the opportunity to improve their living conditions in a meaningful, lasting way allowing them to stay safely in the home they already have."

The funding, available through the County’s SHIP Housing Rehabilitation/Replacement Program, will help qualifying homeowners complete critical repairs, accessibility upgrades, and other improvements that allow them to remain safely and independently in their homes.

Eligible households must be in unincorporated Manatee County or the City of Palmetto and meet program income and property value requirements. To qualify as a special needs household, at least one member of the home must have a developmental disability, disabling condition, or receive SSD/SSDI or other disability benefits.

The program provides 0% interest-deferred payment 20-year loans for code-related repairs to single-family homes and, in some cases, the replacement of dilapidated single-family housing structures. Funding may also support home modifications, adaptive devices, and other improvements that enhance accessibility, safety, and overall livability.

“These improvements can directly affect someone’s daily quality of life,” said Michael Strollo, Manatee County Community and Veterans Services communications coordinator. “Whether it’s addressing a serious repair or making a home more accessible, this program is designed to help households remain safer, more stable, and better supported.”

Entry forms are now available on Manatee County’s Rehabilitation/ Replacement Program webpage. Residents who need help completing or submitting an online entry form can call (941) 749-3029.

Applications will be accepted through April 29, 2026, and county staff will conduct a lottery-style drawing on May 1, 2026, to determine the order in which applications will be reviewed. Funding will be awarded to eligible households who meet all requirements until all available funds have been committed.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, visit www.mymanatee.org.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or contact Manatee County Government Communications at news@mymanatee.org or call (941) 745-6397 (NEWS). Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGo

Manatee County Advances Fresh Start Initiative, Honors Those Who Shaped Our Community

Manatee County, Fla. (March 24, 2026) — The Manatee Board of County Commissioners has approved a key milestone for the Fresh Start initiative, marking another addition to the County’s ecosystem of support for people in need. This action starts a transformational project aimed at addressing homelessness, while separate items recognize community leaders and support citizen engagement.

Fresh Start Phase 1 Approved

Commissioners approved the next step to move forward with Phase 1 of the Fresh Start program. Fresh Start will provide temporary housing and support services to help people get back on their feet. Phase 1 construction is expected to begin in late April 2026 and follow a 180-day schedule.

Phase 1 includes:

62 beds

Kitchen and dining facilities

Laundry and lounge areas

Office and consultation space

Outdoor secure areas with shade structures

“Fresh Start is about more than shelter, it’s about creating a pathway forward,” said District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard. “By pairing shelter with supportive services, we’re helping individuals rebuild their lives while strengthening our community as a whole.”

Phase 2 is currently in design, with construction documents expected in May 2026 and a GMP anticipated later this summer. Pending approval, mobilization could begin in Fall 2026 with a 180-day construction schedule. Phase 2 is expected to add 84 beds and expanded support facilities.

Additional Board Actions

The Board also approved several items recognizing community legacy and supporting public engagement:

Named the Washington Park Community Center the “Lawrence C. and Clifford B. Livingston Community Center” (Resolution R-26-027)

Named the addition at David J. Crane Park the “Carol Ann Billberry Felts Preserve at David J. Crane Park” (Resolution R-26-038)

Appointed the following residents living in the Unincorporated Manatee County to the Citizens Oversight Committee for the Infrastructure Sales Tax Advisory Board (two-year terms):

John A. Mele

Wayne Stellfox

Moving Forward

The Fresh Start initiative and accompanying Board actions highlight Manatee County’s balanced approach to addressing immediate needs while planning for long-term community success.

“This is what responsible government looks like,” Ballard added. “We’re investing in our ecosystem of support, honoring those who shaped our community, and taking real, measurable steps to support our most vulnerable residents.”

For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.

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Manatee County Information Outreach

NEWS line: (941) 745-6397 (NEWS)

news@mymanatee.org