Notices

Manatee County Holiday Schedule Changes

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Dec. 18, 2024) – Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from Manatee County Government. Manatee County offices will be closed on the following days:

Christmas Eve Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024

Christmas Day Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024

New Year's Day Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

There will be no residential garbage or recycling collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. All collections will be one day later for the remainder of the week for each of these holidays. For additional information, visit mymanatee.org/garbage.

Manatee County public parks, preserves and beaches remain open to the public. Manatee County and Buffalo Creek golf courses will be closed on Christmas Day.

The G.T. Bray Recreation Center will close at 5:30pm on Monday Dec. 23 and remain closed until Dec. 26, when normal hours resume. The center will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Recreation building will also close at 5:30pm on Tuesday Dec. 31 and remain closed on New Year’s Day. Normal hours resume January 2, 2025.

Pool Hours for GT Bray and Lincoln Aquatic Center include lap swim Dec. 24 from 7 a.m. - 1pm with 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. family swim. The pools will be closed Christmas Day. Lap swim hours Dec. 31 will be from 7 a.m. - 1pm with 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for family swim. Aquatic facilities are open New Years Day from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. with 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. for family swim.

Manatee County public libraries will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

All MCAT buses will stop running at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Anna Maria Island Trolley will stop running at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. There will be no fixed route or Handy Bus service on Christmas Day or New Year's Day. The Anna Maria Trolley will operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through the Christmas break.

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Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manage

Manatee County Utilities Launches Virtual Tour of Lena Road Landfill Facility

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 11, 2024) – Manatee County Utilities is excited to announce the launch of a virtual tour of its Lena Road Landfill facility. This innovative initiative offers residents and visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the County's solid waste management operations, emphasizing sustainability, innovation and community stewardship.

The Lena Road Landfill serves as a critical part of the County's waste management system, handling thousands of tons of solid waste each year. While it has been open with extended operations for post-hurricane clean-up, the landfill will resume normal hours December 20 (Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). The virtual tour provides an immersive, interactive experience, highlighting the facility’s operations, including waste sorting, landfill design and environmental-protection measures.

“Our goal is to foster a greater understanding of what happens to waste after it’s collected and to highlight the extensive measures we take to protect our environment,” said Director of Manatee County Utilities Patrick Shea. “This virtual tour offers a convenient way for residents to learn more about the process without having to visit the site in person.”

Key features of the virtual tour include:

A 360-degree view of the landfill’s principal areas, including disposal sites and active work locations.

Detailed explanations of the processes that ensure environmental compliance.

Interactive elements highlighting how residents can dispose of Hazardous Household Waste or e-scrap materials.

The Lena Road Landfill Virtual Tour is now live and accessible at Manatee County Landfill - 360° Virtual Tour. This digital experience is ideal for individuals, schools and community groups interested in understanding the intricate process of solid-waste management and the County's commitment to sustainability. This interactive resource will be just the start. Plans are already underway to create “Manatee 360” tours for various facilities around the county.

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

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (December 10, 2024) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has selected their leadership for the coming year.

At-Large Commissioner George Kruse will serve as the BOCC Chair for 2025.

District 5 Commissioner Dr. Bob McCann will serve as first vice chairman of the Board next year. Second vice chairman will be District 3 Commissioner Tal Siddique. District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will serve as third vice chair.

District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn will serve as chairman of the Manatee County Port Authority. Commissioner McCann will be vice chair, and the second vice chair will be District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard. Commissioner Saddique will serve as third vice chairman of the Port Authority.

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

The BOCC approved funding for a variety of high-profile infrastructure and recreation initiatives including the re-branding for the Premier Sports North and Premier Sports Campus South.

Commissioners also approved the Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) of $44,228,316.60 for Premier Campus Racquet & Aquatic Center which will include the construction of administration offices, restrooms, lockers, swimming pools and pickleball courts.

Commissioners also voted to approve funding for the East Bradenton Park Splash pad and soccer field and Buffalo Creek Park soccer fields as part of their consent agenda.

Commissioners were brought up to speed on the progress of plans for new dog kennels and a sandbag building at the Manatee County Jail. $2.4 million was earmarked for the work, which includes 32 pre-manufactured kennels and sandbag structures including site development, site utilities, concrete slab on grade for the kennels, aluminum ramp and landings, plumbing, ventilation and cooling equipment, electrical, communication and security and fencing.

“There are ancillary benefits over and above and beyond the housing of the dogs,” said Commissioner Kruse. “The worst time of the year for the dogs is the summer, and if we can get 32 of them out by the end of Q2, that will help with capacity.”

Manatee County also received a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Parks and Open Space Florida Forever Grant of $1.5 million. This will allow Manatee County to be partially reimbursed for the purchase of the Crooked River Preserve. The award will support the preservation and enhancement of the site and will help provide recreational amenities for public use.

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

Gulf Islands Ferry Service Resumes Regular Schedule

Ferry Now Running Weekly Routes Thursdays Through Sundays

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (November 23, 2024) – The Gulf Islands Ferry service, the carefree and carless way to explore downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, is back for all to enjoy.

“Our barrier island communities are rebounding at a rapid pace, so resuming ferry services to provide easy transportation to the island, was a no brainer,” said Elliott Falcione, Executive Director of the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau. “The Ferry will once again deliver riders from our array of activities in downtown Bradenton to the sugar-sand beaches on Anna Maria Island.”

Due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the Anna Maria City Pier, the Ferry will run between stops at the day dock in downtown Bradenton and the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The Ferry service has plans to stop on the west side of the Anna Maria City Pier at some point in mid-December 2024. Visit gulfislandsferry.com for daily updates.

Service will run Thursday through Sundays with boats departing from the Riverwalk Pier, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continue once an hour until 6:30 p.m. On Anna Maria Island, service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m., with boats leaving on the hour. For more information and the full schedule, visit gulfislandsferry.com or the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau website. 

For more information on Manatee Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @manateegov.

About the Gulf Islands Ferry: Launched in January 2024, the Gulf Islands Ferry connects downtown Bradenton to Anna Maria Island via the Historic Bridge Street Pier. The ferry routes are operated by two sustainably powered catamarans. Thursdays through Sundays, service starts at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Bradenton, with the last boat leaving Anna Maria Island at 9 p.m. Up-to-date run times and scheduling can be found at gulfislandsferry.com. For up-to-date information on run times, tickets and scheduling, riders can call customer service at 941-357-2587 or text 727-200-6487. 

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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

MCAT Service Changes Begin This Weekend

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (October 30, 2024) – Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will make several changes to fixed-route bus service beginning Saturday, November 2. The changes are designed to enhance transit service along several important corridors and provide more appealing transportation options for workers in Manatee County. Remember, the bus is always free in Manatee, with all fares waived on MCAT routes.

Route 6 on Cortez Road will now have service every 30 minutes between Desoto Station and Blake Hospital. This improvement will add an additional bus to the route. Once access to Coquina Beach is restored, the existing hourly service from DeSoto Station to Coquina Beach and back will continue to operate as scheduled. This major service improvement is funded by a grant through the Florida Department of Transportation, District 1.

Route 3 will now serve ONLY Manatee Avenue East/State Road 64 to Walmart and Traveler’s Oasis from the Downtown Station. Service will continue to be every 30 minutes all day, Monday through Saturday. Departure times at Walmart on State Road 64 will be :25 and :55 past the hour. To get to the beach, passengers will transfer to the Route 304. Route 3 will continue to have later evening service until approximately 9 pm.

Route 304 will now serve ONLY Manatee Avenue West from the Downtown Station. Service will continue every 30 minutes all day, Monday through Saturday. The departure times at from Manatee Public Beach will be at :25 and :55 past the hour. To get to Walmart on State Road 64, passengers will transfer to the Route 3. Route 304 will continue to have later evening service until approximately 9 pm.

In Palmetto, both Route 201 (Palmetto-Rubonia) and Route 13 (Palmetto-Washington Park) will be rerouted slightly after crossing the Green Bridge northbound. Both routes will continue east on 7th Street West, cross US 41 at the traffic signal and stop at a new bus stop for the Bradenton Area Convention Center Marriott. Service at the Convention Center hotel stop will be hourly alternating between Route 201 and Route 13. Following the new stop, both buses will continue on Haben Boulevard to the Palmetto Walmart and complete their current service. Some stops along Haben Boulevard and on 10th Street East near Palmetto Village Shopping Center will no longer receive service from Route 13 and Route 201. (Route 1 to Ellenton will continue to serve these stops each hour northbound.)

Printed copies of the new schedules are now available at the customer service booths at the Downtown (Bradenton) Transfer Station and the DeSoto Transfer Station. All changed schedules for MCAT routes will be available on each bus and online at www.mymanatee.org/MCAT. Passengers can also call the MCAT Rider Information Line at (941) 749-7116 for more information.

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.

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Bill Logan

Information Outreach Manager

Office: (941) 742-5866

Cell: (941) 274-0930

bill.logan@mymanatee.org

Gulf Islands Ferry Service Returns for Displaced Residents, Workers

Starting November 1, Displaced Residents, Contractors and Workers Can Rely on Ferry Service to Access Anna Maria Island

BRADENTON, FL (OCT. 29, 2024) - In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Gulf Islands Ferry will offer free ridership for Anna Maria Island residents as well as people employed on the island and contractors working on the island starting this Friday, November 1, 2024.

“Now that safe routes and docking points have been confirmed, the Manatee Board of County Commissioners are recommitting our resources to our community with free service for displaced residents and workers,” said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Tourism Bureau. “We want the service to be of use to our barrier island community during this time of need.”

Service will run Thursday through Sundays with boats departing from the Riverwalk Pier beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continue once an hour until 6:30 p.m. On Anna Maria Island, service starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 9 p.m. with boats leaving on the hour. 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 via stops along Anna Maria City Pier and the Bridge Street Pier. The ferry routes are operated by two sustainably powered catamarans. Thursdays through Sundays, service starts at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Bradenton and the last boat leaves Anna Maria Island at 9 p.m. Up-to-date run times and scheduling can be found at www.gulfislandsferry.com. For up-to-date information on run times, tickets and scheduling, riders can call customer service at 941-357-2587 or text 727-200-6487.

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Keenan Singleton

Communications Manager

Bradenton Convention & Visitors Bureau

(941) 773-6000

Keenan.Singleton@bacvb.com

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