Notices

Manatee County Launches Sandbag Initiative to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Public Filling Event Scheduled for July 18 with Targeted Deliveries for Vulnerable Residents

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (July 15, 2025) — Manatee County Department of Public Safety, in partnership with Community & Veterans Services (CVS), will host Operation: Sandbag Support, a drive-thru filling and pickup event on Friday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex, 2101 47th Terrace E, Bradenton.

“Having sandbags ready ahead of a storm can make a big difference in protecting homes and property,” said George Kruse, Manatee County commission chair. “We encourage residents to prepare early and make use of these resources now—before a storm is on the way.”

This full-day event is open to Manatee County residents only, with no eligibility requirements for in-person pickup. However, the county will provide home delivery of 10 sandbags per household to residents who meet all the following criteria:

60 years of age or older

Transportation dependent

Residing in Evacuation Level A or B

Deliveries will begin the afternoon of the event and continue as needed. Eligible residents can request delivery through an online form that screens for evacuation zone and transportation access. Those who do not qualify for delivery will automatically receive event details and a link to the county's sandbag locations map.

Additional support teams will be on site to assist with logistics, hydration stations, and information about the special needs registry, designed to help those who require additional assistance during emergency events.

“At-risk residents shouldn’t have to choose between their safety and their limitations,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske. “This effort ensures that help reaches those who need it most — and that all residents have access to critical storm preparedness resources.”

This coordinated effort is made possible through the support of Manatee County’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) partners, Department of Juvenile Justice youth volunteer groups, OWP Community Service Workers, as well as county staff and volunteers.

“Our community always steps up when it matters,” said Manatee County Director of Community and Veterans Services Sarah Brown. “It’s heartening to see so many local groups and individuals lending a hand to protect our neighbors.”

For full hurricane preparedness resources, including evacuation zones, supply lists, and the seven (7) existing self-serve sandbag locations open throughout the Hurricane Season, visit mymanatee.org/storm or call 3-1-1.

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.

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (July 11, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is asking for public input and ideas for the future Cortez Boat Ramp. This property is located just north of the Cortez Bridge over the Intracoastal waterway.

“We want to see the input from the community on this project,” said Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique “We are going to make sure your input is accounted for.”

Manatee County Government is starting with a blank slate to design a vibrant public boat‐launch and waterfront destination at The Cortez Boat Ramp and public input is being sought. Every dock plank, parking space, and amenity will reflect the community’s vision, so project managers are opening the doors wide for citizens to contribute their creativity, concerns, and aspirations.

With nine saltwater access boat ramps including 17 launches currently in Manatee County, this location in Cortez will help provide additional access to boaters. Planners have pointed out that this site has the potential to increase the number of boat trailer parking spaces by up to 25% county wide.

Following a series of damaging hurricanes in 2024, the existing structures were deemed unsafe, leading to an adjustment in redevelopment timelines. The events also encouraged community leaders to seek additional input on the future of this important property.

The survey is now accessible here and will run in conjunction with community “Open House” meetings where hands-on design tables, visual preference and additional access surveys will gauge user interest. Those meetings will be held as follows:

July 24, 2025

5-7 p.m.

The Bridge Church

4000 75th St. W.

Bradenton, FL 34209

August 6, 2025

5-7 p.m.

Manatee Central Library

1301 1st Ave. W.

Bradenton, FL 34205

August 11, 2025

5-7 p.m.

Island Library

5701 Marina Dr.

Holmes Beach, FL 34217

August 13, 2025

5-7 p.m.

Rocky Bluff Library

6750 US-301

Ellenton, FL 34222

August 18, 2025

5-7 p.m.

Lakewood Ranch Library

16410 Rangeland Pkwy.

Bradenton, FL 34211

“This is an important project for Cortez,” said Commissioner Siddique. “There is a lot happening there.”

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 COUNTY, FL (July 8, 2025) — Big changes are coming to garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickup in unincorporated Manatee County, and residents now have an easy way to stay informed. Beginning October 6, 2025, a new Solid Waste collection schedule will take effect—impacting pickup days for thousands of households.

To help residents navigate the changes, the County has updated its Resident Information Tool, an interactive online service that lets residents look up their exact collection days by simply entering their address.

“This update reflects Manatee County’s commitment to customer service and transparency,” said Manatee County District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts – who is hosting a July 23 Town Hall in Parrish at the Rocky Bluff Library (6750 US Highway 301 N., Ellenton) and another in Myakka in August to discuss the new trash pickup and educate citizens in better use of tools like this.

“With the Resident Information Tool, residents can stay prepared and informed—not only about waste collection, but also emergency planning and essential County services,” she added.

Key Features of the Tool:

Personalized garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection schedules

Details about the new collection routes launching October 6

Holiday collection adjustments

Flood and evacuation zone lookup

Nearest emergency shelters, polling places, libraries, schools, parks, and more

“The new collection routes are designed to improve efficiency and keep pace with our growing community,” said Pat Shea, Utilities Director. “The Resident Information Tool makes it simple—just enter your address to see your new day for garbage, recycling, and yard waste is starting October 6.”

Check the Resident Information Tool and learn more about the October 6 Big Bin Advantage: www.mymanatee.org/bigbin

Residents are encouraged to start using the tool now to get familiar with their new schedule before the October 6 rollout. Big Bins will start arriving August 18th and continue through September. Start using your new bin right away with your current schedule. Your new day will begin October 6th.

For more information, contact Manatee County Utilities at (941) 792-8811 or visit mymanatee.org.

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 COUNTY, Fla. (July 8, 2025) - Manatee County Veterans Services has partnered with Bay Area Legal Services to offer free monthly legal clinics for veterans at its Bradenton office, beginning this month.

“This partnership with Bay Area Legal Services is about standing by our veterans, not just in words but in action,” said Mike Rahn, Manatee County District 4 Commissioner. “Manatee County is proud to provide a welcoming space where those who’ve served our nation can access the help they need and deserve.”

These clinics provide veterans with access to legal guidance on civil issues, such as housing, benefits, family law and more—at no cost. Meetings are now taking place in the conference room at Manatee County Veterans Services, located at 1401 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Upcoming clinic dates can be found on the Manatee County Veterans Services Public Calendar, and appointments can be scheduled directly by calling Bay Area Legal Services at (813) 232-1343.

"We are committed to ensuring our local veterans continue to have access to these critical legal resources," said Renee Medina, Veterans Services Division Manager. "When we learned Bay Area Legal needed a new space, we immediately opened our doors to support this important mission."

Veterans in need of legal support are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This new partnership ensures Manatee County remains a steadfast advocate for the wellbeing and dignity of those who have served.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit: bals.org/areas/manatee-county

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About Bay Area Legal Services:

Bay Area Legal Services is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that provides civil legal assistance to low-income residents and veterans across the Tampa Bay region.

About Manatee County Veteran Services:

Manatee County Veteran Services assists veterans and their families in securing benefits and services earned through military service. From benefits counseling to advocacy, the division is committed to serving those who served.

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

Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (June 30, 2025) – Manatee County is accepting applications for six (6) seats on the Children’s Services Advisory Board (CSAB). The CSAB makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners about priorities and expenditures of the County’s dedicated millage for children’s services.

The CSAB year begins with a full-day retreat in October. June through January, the CSAB typically meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. During the annual program funding review process which runs February – May, the review meetings are weekly beginning at 3 p.m. All CSAB meetings are scheduled at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton unless noted otherwise.

Applications for the following seats will be accepted through August 1, 2025:

Judge - Family Law Division (1 seat)

Physician (1 seat)

Child Advocates not affiliated with any agency receiving county funds (2 seats)

Criminal Justice Representative (1 seat)

Licensed Mental Health Professional (1 seat)

All prospective board members (except for the judge seat) must be a resident of Manatee County.

To qualify for consideration, candidates must submit an application and resume and provide answers to supplemental questions (page 4 of the Advisory Board Application). Applications can be found here.

For more information, call (941) 748-4501, ext. 3485, or email Kristi.Hagen@mymanatee.org

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 COUNTY, FL (June 27, 2025) – Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) has suspended all feline intake at Bishop Animal Shelter following a confirmed outbreak of panleukopenia, a highly contagious and often deadly viral disease in cats.

“This is a serious and urgent situation,” said Sarah Brown, Director of Manatee County Community and Veterans Services. “Our shelter staff are doing everything possible, but they can’t face this alone. We’re calling on our community to help stop the spread. Get your cats vaccinated and help us protect vulnerable animals across Manatee County.”

To contain the outbreak and protect the public and shelter population, MCAW is taking the following steps:

Administering and boosting FVRCP vaccinations for all shelter cats

Implementing enhanced sanitation protocols using hospital-grade disinfectants

Utilizing a mobile spay/neuter unit to prepare foster cats for adoption without returning to Bishop

Hosting free vaccination clinics for the public to safeguard community cats

Cat Town, the county’s feline adoption facility, remains unaffected and fully operational. Bishop Animal Shelter anticipates a two-week pause in cat intake while deep cleaning, medical treatment, and containment efforts continue.

Panleukopenia, also known as feline distemper, is most dangerous to unvaccinated cats and kittens, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lethargy, and in many cases, sudden death. The virus spreads through bodily fluids, contaminated surfaces, litter boxes, food and water bowls, and even clothing or hands.

How the public can help:

Ensure your cats are fully vaccinated

Keep cats indoors whenever possible

Consider becoming a foster for healthy cats and kittens

Spread awareness and encourage others to do the same

MCAW is urgently seeking foster families to help care for kittens impacted by the outbreak. These kittens need safe, temporary homes where they can grow, receive medical care, and eventually move on to adoption. Supplies, training, and veterinary support are provided to all foster caregivers.

For updates and vaccination clinic dates, please visit mymanatee.org/pets or follow Manatee County Animal Welfare on social media. To assist in emergency fostering please contact Lauren Tryon at Lauren.Tryon@mymanatee.org.

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 COUNTY, FL (June 25, 2025) – Manatee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold achievement award for its commitment to offering rapid and research-based care to people experiencing the most severe form of heart attacks and strokes, ultimately saving lives.

“This is another acknowledgement of our first responders’ commitment to best-practices and making the highest-quality care available to all of our residents and visitors,” said Manatee County District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn. “They’re making every second count!”

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone goes to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to provide resuscitation efforts to someone whose heart has stopped. People who arrive by ambulance may also receive faster treatment at the hospital.

Optimal care for heart attack and stroke patients takes coordination between the individual prehospital providers and healthcare systems. Mission: Lifeline EMS® is the American Heart Association's national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time-sensitive disease states, such as severe heart attacks and strokes. The program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment — starting from when 911 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge.

“Arguably the most important link in the chains of survival for acute stroke and cardiovascular emergencies is emergency medical services and prehospital professionals,” said Kacey Kronenfeld, M.D., FAEMS, chair of the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline EMS Taskforce. “Early condition identification, stabilization and prehospital interventions, and initiation of actions within the regional systems of care provide patients with the best chance for receiving expedient definitive therapies leading to optimal outcomes and maximized quality of life.”

The American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline EMS awards are an important way to recognize the crucial roles and performances of EMS personnel in stroke and cardiac patients’ care. The award focuses on agencies’ on-scene care, bringing to the forefront the collaboration and contributions to patient care for prehospital providers.

“Manatee County EMS is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Sean Dwyer, EMS Chief. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”

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About Manatee County EMS:

Manatee County Emergency Medical Services is the primary 911-emergency response service providing out-of-hospital medical care to the citizens and visitors of Manatee County. Responding to approximately 60,000 requests for service each year, Manatee County EMS’s 24 transport units are staffed around the clock by over 200 Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians who provide high-quality and compassionate care to those that live, work, and play in Manatee County.

For more information, visit mymanatee.org.

About Mission: Lifeline

Mission: Lifeline EMS® recognition is the American Heart Association’s program that recognizes prehospital emergency agencies for their quality of care for heart attack and stroke patients. The recognition program focuses on transforming care quality by connecting all heart attack and stroke care components into a seamlessly integrated care system. Key tenets of these systems of care reinforce evidence-based guidelines and measure performance, identify gaps, and engage in quality improvement.

For more information, visit heart.org.

Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (June 17, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved the hiring of Dr. Corey Stutte as Deputy County Administrator. In this role, Dr. Stutte will oversee Public Works, Utilities, Information Technology and Financial Management.

“It’s a huge position,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard. “It is a job that is important and needs filling.”

Dr. Stutte comes to Manatee County following two terms as Mayor of Hastings, Nebraska. Before his election in 2016, he was a member of the Hastings Public Schools Board of Education and the City of Hastings Planning and Zoning Commission. Earlier in his career, he worked as a planner in the Land Development Division of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners in Florida and served on the City of Bartow’s Code Enforcement Board and Planning Commission.

Beyond his local government work, Dr. Stutte served as a senior intelligence analyst and Navy Reserve intelligence officer with U.S. Pacific Command (now Indo-Pacific Command), Special Operations Command, and Special Operations Command Pacific. He also founded and led the geopolitical intelligence firm GeoPioneer for 14 years.

“I truly look forward to the opportunity of working with you all as well as the staff of Manatee County,” he told Commissioners during an introductory video call. “I look forward to finding more efficient ways to run government.”

Dr. Stutte holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida, an M.S. in International Relations with a concentration in National Security Affairs from Troy University, and a B.A. in Organizational Communication from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Stutte will be relocating to Manatee County with his wife, Laura, their 8-year-old daughter, Lila, and their goldendoodle, Carmelo.

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 COUNTY, FL (June 17, 2025) – Manatee County is seeking five citizens to establish a new Government Efficiency Liaison Committee.

The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee is being formed to interface directly with the Executive Office of the Governor Department of Government Efficiency (EOG DOGE) Team and County Administration as solutions to County Administration as solutions to achieve operational excellence and efficiency are sought. This approach benefits the EOG DOGE effort by leveraging private-sector expertise while simultaneously providing a venue for the public to participate, be informed, and contribute to the betterment of our community.

Manatee County is seeking five (5) citizens of the county who have expertise in accounting, finance, information technology, economics, auditing, or human resources. They will form a brand-new committee that will meet monthly for one (1) year, unless the Board of County Commissioners chooses to extend this time frame by a majority vote.

“The Government Efficiency Liaison Committee is being created to help the county work with the State of Florida on its DOGE efforts,” said Manatee County District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn. "This reflects Manatee County’s ongoing commitment to building the most efficient and effective government possible. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, and we know there’s always room to improve.”

Meetings will be held monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Room location will be announced closer to meeting date. For more information contact Stephanie Garrison at (941)748-4501, x5323, or email stephanie.garrison@mymanatee.org. 

Applicants for the Government Efficiency Liaison Committee must complete the online application on the Apply for an Advisory Board page, which includes answering the supplemental questions, completing a background check, and providing a current and comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae. All documents must be completed and submitted for the applicant to be considered for appointment. The current open application ends on July 18th, 2025.

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

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on X, @ManateeGov.

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Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

Gulf Islands Ferry Enhances Summer Schedule

Service extended to accommodate strong ridership numbers

BRADENTON, FL (June 10, 2025) – The Gulf Islands Ferry, the Bradenton Area’s popular alternative mode of travel between downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island, is bringing back Wednesday service to its weekly schedule. Passengers can now ride the Gulf Islands Ferry five days per week beginning June 18, 2025.

The two 50-foot catamarans ride the waterways between the downtown Bradenton Riverwalk Pier and the Historic Bridge Street Pier on Anna Maria Island.

“As Manatee County continues to welcome visitors this Summer, the Gulf Islands Ferry is easing the traffic on our roadways,” said Manatee County District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique.

In addition to providing easy transport to the island, the service is an extended commitment to working to preserve and protect the natural beauty of the area for future generations by eliminating carbon emission from car travel to the island. Featuring energy-efficient design elements, the vessels further support the Bradenton Area’s Love It Like a Local initiative and Leave No Trace commitment.

Weather permitting, the boats will depart from the Riverwalk Pier beginning at 7:30 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. to the Historic Bridge Street Pier, on Anna Maria Island with service starting at 9 a.m. through 9 p.m.

For more information and the full schedule, visit www.gulfislandsferry.com or the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau website.

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ABOUT THE GULF ISLANDS FERRY

Launched in January 2024, the Gulf Islands Ferry connects downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island. This public transportation service, supported by the tourist development tax, was launched in an effort to cut down on high traffic and car use attempting to access Anna Maria Island during peak travel seasons. This year-round service offers a convenient and affordable 45-minute ride to the island all while taking in abundant marine wildlife and the amazing local views of the Bradenton Area from the Manatee River and intercoastal waterways.

The ferry routes are operated by two ADA-accessible catamarans and a soon to come third boat, the Manatee Belle, which will be fully enclosed and offer a faster service out to the island. Up-to-date run times and scheduling can be found at www.gulfislandsferry.com, or riders can call customer service at 727-200-6487.

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, Fla. (June 3, 2025) — As part of its ongoing efforts to help residents prepare for severe weather, Manatee County is making self-service sandbag locations available to the public throughout the entire 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Beginning immediately and continuing through November 30, 2025, residents can access sand and bags at the following locations from dawn to dusk daily:

• Blackstone Park – 2112 14th Ave. W., Palmetto

• Myakka Community Center – 10060 Wauchula Rd., Myakka City

• Palma Sola Park – 7815 40th Ave. W., Bradenton

• Parrish Park Overflow Parking – 77550 Ft. Hamer Rd., Parrish

• Rubonia Community Center – 1309 72nd St. E., Palmetto

• Rye Preserve – 905 Rye Wilderness Trail, Parrish

• Manatee County Stormwater Facility – 5511 39th St. E., Bradenton

Each location is self-service, so residents should bring their own shovels and be prepared to fill and transport the sandbags themselves. Bags and sand are provided at the locations while supplies last.

A map of sandbag sites is available at mymanatee.org/storm by clicking on the "Sandbags" tab.

“Having sandbags ready ahead of a storm can make a big difference in protecting homes and property,” said Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse. “We encourage residents to prepare early and make use of these resources now—before a storm is on the way.”

Residents are also reminded to stay up to date on local storm alerts and preparedness resources throughout the season by visiting mymanatee.org/storm and following Manatee County Government on social media.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on X, @ManateeGov.

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has voted to move forward on the purchase of a property that will serve as an additional campus for Manatee County Government.

“There is a lot of benefit to this,” said Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse. "We have a unique opportunity to buy a property at a tremendous discount to purchase that is turnkey with cubicles already in place to create better efficiency for this government.”

The BOCC unanimously approved the execution of a $24 million contract for the purchase of a property located at 9000 Town Center Parkway in Lakewood Ranch. This move will not change the county seat. BOCC and Land Use meetings, including workshops, will still take place in the downtown Commission Chambers at 1112 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton.

This approval is the first step toward moving some departments to a new building that better aligns with the County’s growth pattern. The property is approximately 11.28 acres and includes a two-story, 101,000-square-foot, partially furnished office building with over 600 parking spaces. The additional campus positions some County services closer to where much of the residential and commercial growth is occurring.

Purchasing an existing building is significantly more cost-effective than constructing a new facility. A tenant currently occupies the first and second floors. The move(s) would occur in phases to accommodate the tenant’s departure. Even after closing ─ anticipated to be on or before September 1, 2025 ─ several weeks of preparation will be necessary before any employees or departments can relocate.

Space created in the downtown Administration Building will be used to accommodate the future growth of the State Attorney, Supervisor of Elections, County Attorney, Probation and Guardian Ad Litem. Other facilities would be repurposed to support EMS, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and housing empowerment initiatives, while also helping the County comply with new state requirements to provide shelters or designated areas for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“I’m excited about bringing this forward,” said Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard, “and I think it will be good for the entire county.”

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on X, @ManateeGov.

Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org

Manatee County “Big Bin Advantage” to Streamline Waste Collection

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 30, 2025) – Manatee County Utilities customers soon will be able to experience the “Big Bin Advantage,” a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing waste-collection services for residents in unincorporated areas. This program introduces larger, more efficient rolling bins for garbage collection, aligning with industry best practices and allowing for future service improvements.​

"We’re teaming up with our haulers to roll out a better, more reliable collection system,” said District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts. “This proven technology is already working in nearby areas. We know any change takes some getting used to, but this update is important to keep up with the needs of our growing community.”

Residents will receive free 96-gallon garbage bins, which they can begin using immediately. These larger receptacles are designed to accommodate increased waste volumes, reduce litter, and support the County waste haulers as they transition to more efficient, automated collection systems.​ Here is a video highlighting the production process for the bins.

“The Big Bin Advantage represents a significant step forward in modernizing our waste-management services,” said Patrick Shea, Manatee County Utilities Director. “By adopting larger, standardized bins, we are aligning with industry standards that prioritize efficiency, environmental responsibility, and customer convenience.”​

The move to larger bins supports the county’s ongoing efforts to streamline waste collection. Currently, garbage, recycling, and yard waste pickups occur on different days, leading to multiple truck visits each week. The new system will help consolidate these services, allowing all pickups to occur on the same day, thereby reducing truck traffic and wear on neighborhood roads.​

In addition to the new bins, the County is implementing automated-collection methods, enhancing worker safety, reducing operational costs and improving overall service reliability.​ The Big Bin Advantage also complements Manatee County’s already-in-place single-stream recycling program, which simplifies the recycling process by allowing residents to place all recyclable materials into a county-provided container without the need for sorting. ​

Residents will begin receiving their new bins in the coming weeks, with full implementation expected by October 6, 2025. For more information about the Big Bin Advantage and other waste-management initiatives, please visit mymanatee.org/BigBin, contact Manatee County Utilities Customer Service at (941) 792-8811 or dial 3-1-1.​

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on X, @ManateeGov.

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Manatee County Information Outreach

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

news@mymanatee.org