Notices

Manatee County Animal Welfare Unveils Major Expansion at Bishop Location

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Dec. 5, 2025) – Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) is celebrating the completion of a major kennel expansion at its Bishop location (5718 21st Ave. W, Bradenton) with a ribbon cutting Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11 a.m.

This investment significantly enhances safety, comfort, medical care, enrichment and adoptability for the pets in the County’s care and is a central component of MCAW’s long-term strategy to modernize its shelter system and responsibly transition operations away from the aging, legacy Palmetto Shelter. The expanded Bishop location will now serve as the primary hub for animal care, treatment and enrichment. The MCAW “Cat Town” location (216 6th Ave. E., Bradenton) will continue to operate as normal.

The upgraded campus more than doubles outdoor play and exercise space, strengthens safety and security features and places high-quality, on-site veterinary care at the center of daily operations.

Highlights of the expanded campus include:

Enhanced Safety & Security:

A fully fenced and secured campus, multiple designated play areas, coyote-prevention measures, fire-suppression systems in every kennel building and expanded electrical and fiber infrastructure to support advanced security monitoring.

Improved Comfort & Medical Access:

Air-conditioned dog dormitories, storm-grade shade structures, specialized pet-hair filtration systems, improved drainage and immediate proximity to veterinary exam and treatment rooms for faster, more efficient care.

Expanded Play & Enrichment:

More—and larger—play yards, dedicated areas for training and behavioral programs and space reserved for future outdoor features, such as a planned splash pad.

The expansion also introduces a mix of standard and extra-large transitional kennels built for short-term housing. MCAW leadership emphasized that reducing length of stay, not expanding kennel size, is the most powerful driver of positive animal-welfare outcomes. Faster medical care, daily enrichment and more human interaction all contribute to shorter stays and quicker paths to adoption.

“This expansion strengthens Manatee County’s commitment to compassionate, modern animal welfare,” said Commission Chair George Kruse. “The enhanced Bishop campus sets a new standard for humane care—ensuring animals spend less time in kennels and more time healing, playing and finding their forever homes. This is the future of sheltering in Manatee County, and I’m proud the County could help make it happen.”

Shelter leaders summarized the project simply: “Dogs don’t live in kennels; they live in our care.” The expanded Bishop location provides unprecedented access to veterinary treatment, behavioral support, enrichment, safety and human connection—all proven to shorten stay times and save more lives.

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

Children’s Services Non-Profit Funding Applications Open

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 1, 2025) – Local not-for-profit organizations helping kids are encouraged to apply for competitive investment funds for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 through the Children's Services Dedicated Millage program.

The Children's Services Dedicated Millage is established to fund, develop, and provide for the operation of programs that enhance and expand existing services, as well as create new and innovative programs. The primary goal is to provide programs for the prevention and treatment of Manatee County’s neglected, abused, at-risk, or economically disadvantaged children by providing essential and necessary programs.

Not-for-profit agencies interested in applying for these funds can access applications through the Community and Veteran's Services Department starting 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Manatee County's Children's Service team will host an investment process seminar for all interested agencies Friday, December 5, 2025, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Avenue W., Bradenton, in the Manatee Room on the 5th floor.

Staff will provide comprehensive details on the application process, timeline, the online application portal, required uploads, guidance, and scoring criteria. Representatives from the Children's Services Advisory Board (CSAB) will also be present to answer questions regarding their review and scoring process.

All agencies considering applying for investment through the Children’s Services Dedicated Millage are required to receive this information. Attendance at the session fulfills this requirement. However, if an applicant is unable to attend in person, that applicant must contact their Contract Manager prior to the seminar to learn how they can meet the requirement and receive credit through an alternative method. Applicants who do not have an identified Contract Manager may reach out to Kristi Hagen, Children’s Services Coordinator (kristi.hagen@mymanatee.org) for more information.

Investments are awarded on a competitive basis. The Children's Services Advisory Board (CSAB) reviews applications and provides recommendations, with final approval granted by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) each year. Agencies selected for funding will be reimbursed for services provided to eligible clients based on a qualifying service model.

The application period closes promptly at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Interested agencies can find the application and additional information on the Human Services Funding page of the Manatee County website.

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

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Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

Manatee BOCC Selects Leaders for 2026

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (December 2, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has selected their leadership for the coming year.

District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique will serve as the BOCC Chair for 2026.

“It’s a tough job, but I’m up to the task,” said the newly elected chair, who will take the gavel officially on Jan 1, 2026. “The job of the chair, to me, is about running an efficient meeting and representing the will of the board wherever we possibly can.”

District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard will serve as First Vice Chair of the Board next year. At-Large Commissioner George Kruse will serve as Second Vice Chair, and District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will serve as Third Vice Chair.

District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn will once again serve as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. Commissioner Felts will be vice chair, and the second vice chair will be At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden. Commissioner Kruse will serve as third vice chairman of the Port Authority.

Commissioner Ballard will serve as the Tourist Development Council (TDC) Chair. Commissioner Felts will be the Board’s alternate representative on the TDC.

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)

“A Night Before Christmas” is a Family Favorite

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 2, 2025) – Manatee County’s “A Night Before Christmas” event is set for Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Bradenton’s G.T. Bray Park with family-friendly fun and festivities.

Presented by Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, the annual holiday event will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus – on hand for professional pictures with the children which will be available for free download. There also will be a variety of activities for kids of all ages, including a snow slide, foam zone, inflatables, face painting, letters to Santa and petting zoo!

“Shop Local” Vendor Marketplace (sponsored by Children’s Entrepreneur Market) will be set up in the parking lot, along with food and dessert trucks! Event entry is FREE; however, a suggested donation per family of a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots is kindly requested.

G.T. Bray Park is located at 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West in Bradenton. Visitors may access GT Bray Park from 59th St. W. or 51st St. W. Parking will be available in various lots around the park.

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

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Manatee County Information Outreach