Notices

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (January 29, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a low-interest $2.3 Million Catalytic Loan to Community Assisted and Supported Living, Inc. (CASL), to assist with the acquisition of a 1.154-acre commercial development, located at 8076 North Tamiami Trail, redeveloping the site to a 72-unit affordable housing project for low- and very low-income households.

“We’ve worked with CASL before,” said District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn. “I’m in full support of this for CASL to build workforce housing.”

The BOCC also is using a $2.9 Million grant award through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Economic Development Initiative for the design, property acquisition and construction of the Manatee County Palmetto Trails Planning and Design (PTCMP) project. This grant includes Shared-Use Nonmotorized (SUN) Trail Segments and Connectors, evaluation of critical trail segments between the Manatee County Area Transit Center, Palmetto Youth Center, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Trail, Lincoln Memorial Middle School and Lincoln Park, as well as the rehabilitation of the historic Lincoln Tunnel under U.S. 41. It also includes further development and evaluation of trail segments connecting Lincoln Park and Washington Park through the neighborhoods just east of U.S. 41.

In addition, commissioners submitted a list of transportation project priorities to the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization. This report presents proposed County projects, such as bridge replacements, road widening and trails implementation, and their rankings for 2025. MPO staff will combine the County's adopted list with those of other agencies to create a master list for the MPO and Florida Department of Transportation. In general, any projects selected for funding from this list will appear in State Fiscal Year (FY) 2030 or 2031 of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) five-year program approved by the legislature in 2026.

Commissioners also approved $473,750 to expand the County’s Real-Time Flood Forecasting (RTFF) computer programming, which takes existing static drainage modeling available from Watershed Management Plans (WMP) and incorporates dynamic weather forecasting of potential rainfall accumulation totals to generate predicted flood staging and potential flood inundation coverage. Now known as FloodWise, this program provides advanced modeling of flood stages and flood inundation, which in turn are utilized to determine the timing, sequence and draw-down necessary to create additional flood storage preemptively of a forecasted storm event. Public Works crews have already been able to pre-emptively drain flood-prone areas to help alleviate some of the worst effects of heavy rainfall during recent storms.

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

Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Jan. 23, 2025) – Manatee County Public Library is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated reopening of the Central Library on February 3, 2025. The library has been closed since sustaining significant damage during recent hurricanes, and extensive repairs and improvements are underway and nearing completion.

Tammy Parrott, Manatee County Library Services Manager, expressed her excitement for the reopening, stating, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome our community back to the Central Library. This space has always been a cornerstone for learning, creativity, and connection. After the challenges from the hurricanes, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the library ready to serve our residents once again."

While the library will be resuming regular hours and programming, some schedules will flex and change due to construction and repair needs. Manatee County appreciates the community’s patience and support as we continue to work to restore and enhance this vital resource.

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

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Jan. 7, 2025) – Manatee County’s Veterans Services and Transportation divisions have launched a new free on-demand transportation option to help veterans easily reach their medical appointments.

Starting today, ‘Manatee Moves’ will directly connect county veterans to their health providers by utilizing a rideshare service. Accessible through a smartphone app, Manatee Moves is open to all pre-registered veterans who can walk on their own, or who use an assistance device like a folding walker.

According to Manatee County Veterans Services Officer Renee Medina, Manatee Moves will help to remove obstacles that can prevent veterans from accessing the critical care and health services they need.

“This initiative reflects our deep commitment to ensuring that veterans can easily and reliably receive the medical attention they deserve, without the added stress of transportation challenges. Our goal is to make their well-being a top priority, and we are honored to play a role in improving their quality of life," Medina added.

Manatee Veterans do not need to be currently enrolled in other county services provided by the Veterans Services division. However, they must be verified, which can be done by contacting the county Veterans Services office.

Riders are limited to two one-way trips per day (for example to and from a doctor’s office), and trips are restricted to Manatee County boundaries.

Service hours are 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. For those unable to utilize the mobile app a trip can be booked by calling (941) 747-1739, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Riders can book their travel up to two days in advance.

The app is now available to download on Apple and Android devices.

For more information about Manatee County Veterans Services call (941) 745-3795, send an email to vets@mymanatee.org, or visit mymanatee.org.

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

Work on Manatee County Central Library Continues

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 23, 2024) – Crews are actively working to repair Manatee County’s Central Library, which sustained significant damage during this year’s hurricane season. While the library remains closed to the public, efforts are underway to restore this vital community resource.

The Central Library, located at 1301 Barcarrota Ave, Bradenton, FL 34205, experienced damage that exposed infrastructure and rendered the facility unfit for public use. Although a definitive reopening date is not yet available, Manatee County is committed to completing the necessary repairs as quickly as possible.

“We want to assure the community that reopening the library is a priority,” said Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott. “Public access will only be granted once all necessary repairs are completed.”

Despite the closure, library staff continue to provide services. Curbside pickup, the popular “Ask a Librarian” online feature, and the ability to reserve and transfer materials to other branches are available to ensure uninterrupted access to resources. Additionally, public-facing staff have been temporarily relocated to other branches to assist patrons.

Understanding the library’s importance to the community, particularly during tax season, staff are exploring alternative ways to provide tax assistance services starting in February 2025. Updates on these plans will be shared as they become available.

The County appreciates the community’s patience and understanding during this challenging time. For updates on the library’s status and information about alternative services, please visit the Manatee County Library website.

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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Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Office: (941) 742-5866

FEMA Moved from the fair grounds to Palmetto Library

923 6th Street West Palmetto Fl 34221.

Hours 7am to 7pm Monday thru Sunday.

**Closed on Thanksgiving Day **

Back open on Friday 7am to 7pm

Manatee County Welcomes FEMA Assistance

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 14, 2024) – As Manatee County continues with the recovery process following Hurricane Milton, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is aiding in the efforts.

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is being set up at GT Bray Park gymnasium (5502 33rd Avenue Drive West, Bradenton). Today’s hours are 1 to 7 p.m. The DRC is a one-stop location, designed to help answer residents' questions about disaster recovery and give referrals to agencies that may provide further assistance and status of application(s) being processed by FEMA or other agencies.

When applying for FEMA assistance after multiple disasters, citizens should be ready to describe what damage occurred and on what date to ensure federal disaster assistance from storms is not duplicated. Keep all receipts for expenses associated with each disaster, including:

Home repairs

Repairs to a septic system, water well or private road

Purchase of a generator or chainsaw

Replacement of personal property items such as appliances

Vehicle repairs or replacement

Insurance settlement or denial

FEMA assistance will not cover losses already covered from a previous disaster but can help with new damage caused by Hurricane Milton. Eligible survivors affected by multiple hurricanes can receive Serious Needs Assistance and Displacement Assistance in multiple incidents.

If you have already created a Login.gov account, you may use that same account to access both applications.

FEMA is reaching out to applicants who may have been affected by multiple storms to provide necessary support for their recovery. These calls may come from unfamiliar area codes or phone numbers. If you are concerned about verifying that FEMA is trying to reach you, call the helpline at 800-621-3362.

Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews, housing inspectors, and other officials will be working in areas that have been impacted. These individuals will carry official photo identification badges.

During this recovery time, it is important to remember that FEMA representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications. Their services are free. Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for payment. Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police department or sheriff's office, or contact Florida’s Office of the Attorney General by calling 866-9-NO-SCAM (866-966-7226) or visit myfloridalegal.com. To file a fraud complaint, go online to Scam Report.

If you have knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse, you can report these tips – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov to report a tip.

Please continue to monitor the County's social media accounts for updates. Official storm information from Manatee County is always updated at mymanatee.org/storm.

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Manatee County Communications

ESF-14

Office: (941) 749-3531