Notices

County Commissioners confirm Robert Reinshuttle as Deputy County Administrator

New Deputy County Administrator Reinshuttle formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of Florida Association of Community Health Centers

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (June 8, 2021) – County Commissioners today voted to confirm Robert Reinshuttle to serve as a Deputy County Administrator. Reinshuttle becomes the second Deputy County Administrator along with Karen Stewart and together they round out County Administrator Scott Hopes's executive team.

"I appreciate your confidence in me," Reinshuttle said speaking to County Commissioners today. "I look forward to working with you and Administrator Hopes in this capacity."

Reinshuttle begins with Manatee County on June 28. He will depart his post as Chief Advocacy Officer with the Florida Association of Community Health Centers. He served as that organization's Chief Operating Officer from 2007 through 2019. He also held the position of Executive Director of the Florida Rural Health Association from 2007 until 2010.

Prior to that work he served as National Director of Government Relations with the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology. He served as Director of State and Congressional Relations for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from 2001 to 2003. His complete resume can be found as part of today's County Commission agenda.

MyStop is a great resource for MCAT transit info. However if it’s HandyBus Related (Para-Transit, door-door-service), they may reach dispatch about same day trips at queue x 4991 (748 1135 option 4) or queue x 4993 (748 2317 option 3) re: trips about future dates.

Handy Bus Registration

(8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) (941) 747-1739

Reservations / Cancellations

(9 a.m. – 2 p.m.) (941) 748-2317

Cancellations

(before 8 a.m.) (941) 748-1135

Customer Service / Complaints (866) 642-3318

ADA Handy Bus Reservations

(8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) (941) 748-2317

ADA/Veterans Handy Bus Reservations

(Sunday/Holidays) (941) 741-3572

Dispatch

(Saturday) (941) 747-8621, Ext. 0

TDD (for the hearing impaired) (941) 747-7868

State of Florida Commission for

TD Ombudsman Hotline (800) 983-2435

ADA Assistance Line (888) 446-4511

ADA Complaints (800) 514-0301 or

TTY (800) 514-0383

Medical Transportation Management (MTM)

(WellCare Transportation Services) (866) 591-4066

Manatee County Utilities reminds customers to conserve water, especially during current dry period

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 26, 2021) – Manatee County Utilities Department (MCUD) is reminding customers of local watering conservation efforts during the dry weeks leading up to the rainy summer months. Avoiding unnecessary water use, Utilities officials say, will help avoid stressing water supplies.

"Although there is more than an adequate supply of our water sources, and because the rainy season has not yet started, we're asking MCUD customers to adhere to our year-round watering restrictions," said Mike Gore, Manatee County Utilities Director. "May is one of the drier months of the year with conditions this year even drier than usual."

Water systems all over the state are being stressed by the increased demand for water caused by the dry conditions. For Manatee County, the increased demand is contributing to a system already stressed by important upgrades underway at the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant.

Manatee County watering restrictions include:

• Irrigating lawns and landscaping once a day before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., no more than two times per week;

• Addresses ending in an even number may water on Thursday and/or Sunday;

• Addresses ending in an odd number may water on Wednesday and/or Saturday

• Properties without an address may water on Tuesday and/or Friday

Lawn watering days and times may be different if a resident's homeowners association (HOA) operates under a variance issued by the Southwest Water Management District. Those residents should check with their HOA to determine whether the community has an alternative watering schedule.

Utilities is also asking customers to observe restrictions on drinking water which apply not only to potable water but also irrigation water that comes from wells, surface water sources including retention ponds, rivers, lakes, etc. Utilities asks that customers do not:

• Allow water to flow from an unattended hose;

• Hand water a lawn on an otherwise restricted day or more than once a day;

• Hose down a driveway or other impervious surface to remove grass clippings or other debris that can be removed with a broom or other dry methods;

• Hose down a building or other structure to remove cobwebs or other material that can be removed with a broom or other dry methods;

Find other water conservation tips online at www.mymanatee.org/water

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

Rental Assistance:

Questions about Rental Assistance should be directed to Manatee County website.:

https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/redevelopment___economic_opportunity/community_development/manatee_cares/emergency_rental_assistance_program

There is video instruction on how to apply and submit applications for Rental Assistance.

941-745-6270 for further assistance, including technical issues, application issues and other general questions.

Manatee County Commissioners confirm Dr. Scott Hopes as official County Administrator

Dr. Hopes has served as acting Administrator since April 1

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 26, 2021) -- Manatee County Commissioners yesterday confirmed Dr. Scott Hopes as their official County Administrator, deciding to remove the "acting" designation he has held since he was originally hired on April 1.

On the same day Commissioners appointed Dr. Hopes as the Administrator in April, he returned to the Board late in the afternoon to ask for a local state of emergency regarding the Piney Point where process water was in danger of an uncontrolled release from the gypsum stacks. Commissioners have praised Hopes' decisive action during that crisis and voted 5-2 to give him the official title of County Administrator.

His contract calls for him to provide Commissioners with a self evaluation by Oct. 1 and for County Commissioners to respond with their own evaluation of him by Nov. 1. He will resign his seat on the Manatee County School Board by June 2.

Dr. Hopes is an experienced international chief executive officer, educator, and leader with government, education and healthcare experience. He has a demonstrated history of leadership working in healthcare, higher education, K-12 education, local, state, national and international governments and Fortune 500 companies.

“I'm eager to continue the job I was hired to do," Dr. Hopes said. "I enjoy it. I want to help make a great community even greater."

Manatee County to repeal mask requirements inside libraries, public buildings.

County Commissioners directed County Administrator to remove all COVID-related requirements in County facilities

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 11, 2021) – County Commissioners today voted to direct the County Administrator to remove all COVID-19-related restrictions imposed in county properties, action that means masks will no longer be required for visitors to Manatee County libraries and other County-owned public buildings.

Today's vote came after the Board received two significant updates on the COVID-19 front from public safety officials. First, Dr. Jennifer Bencie, the County Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, announced that 52 percent of eligible (ages 16 and older) Manatee County residents have been vaccinated. Second, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has announced that the local COVID-19 test site Bradenton Area Convention Center will close after testing ends Saturday, May 15. A state testing site at the Sarasota Kennel Club will also close on Saturday. All other state run testing sites throughout the state will be closed by May 28.

Manatee County will work closely with the Department of Health to promote vaccine and testing locations in coming weeks. The County will keep the testing area of its website current with local sites to get tested.

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

Need help? You are not alone. Every day, hundreds of people across our Tri County region of Desoto, Manatee and Sarasota Counties turn to 2-1-1 for information and support—for financial assistance, health programs, crisis support and more.

You can access 2-1-1 by phone, email, chat or text (just text your zip code to 898-211).

Reaching out will get you connected to a multilingual 2-1-1 specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations providing critical services to improve and save lives.

Suncoast Cares · Get Connected. Get Help:

https://211.gs-humanservices.org/

And, the dashboard:

https://suncoast.211counts.org/

Vaccine Finder is the best way for people to locate specific vaccines.

The data can be sorted by location and vaccine type.

https://vaccinefinder.org

Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you:

VaccineFinder helps you find clinics, pharmacies, and other locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. In some states, information may be limited.

Emergency Rental Assistance helps residents financially impacted by COVID-19

Program helps with past-due rent & electric bills

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (March 30, 2021) – One day after the federal ban on renter evictions was extended through the end of June, Manatee County is making another push to remind local renters and landlords that help is available for those who have fallen behind on rent payments as a result of losses from the pandemic.

Since launching six weeks ago, 430 Manatee County residents have applied for assistance from the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. County officials say there's enough funding to serve up to 1,500 people a month for much of 2021. Eligible renters may receive grant funds for up to 12 months of assistance, if needed, through November 2021, whichever is less. Funds will be paid directly to the landlord for delinquent rent bills. Full details and the application portal can be found at www.mymanatee.org/renthelp

Applicants must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), which is $43,850/year for a one-person household. Renters who are at or below 50 percent of the AMI ($26,800/year for a one-person household) are given priority, along with those who have documented unemployment for more than 90 days. This is based on the number of people living in your household and the total income for all in your household (including spouse, roommate, elderly parent, adult children, etc.).

"We're actively promoting the ERA program through local non-profits and partner agencies, but we're also looking for residents to help spread the word," said Geri Lopez, director of the Redevelopment and Economic Opportunity Department. "We have a number of resources to help renters with their bills, but they need to know where to find that information and they need to apply now."

Manatee County homeowners have until Friday to apply for assistance from the Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP). That program provides grants to homeowners residing in Manatee County and its municipalities who are delinquent on mortgage payments due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as of March 1, 2020. Forty four residents have applied for help through the MAP.

For homebound vaccine, please visit the state homebound registration site.

The website is: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/981e561ca7f84b33a6ddcb3fa61cd575

or: email: homeboundvaccine@em.myflorida.com

Subject: Homebound

E-mail message body: I am homebound

For SECOND vaccinations:

1-833-930-3672

email: homeboundvaccines@cdrmaguire.com