Manatee County to hold public hearing tonight on its budget

The sheriff is asking for county commissioners to raise taxes so he can hire new deputies. Some commissioners are even considering a bigger tax increase for raises for deputies. At the same time commissioners are considering cuts to other areas, including animal services and park projects.

The county has already eliminated 54 positions and is using its reserves to meet some county obligations. 

Anyone who wants to weigh in on these issues can speak out at a public hearing at 6 p.m.today in  the county commission chambers. The meeting are held in the county administration building 1112 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton.

Manatee's fleet services garners national recognition

MANATEE -- Mike Brennan, fleet services manager for the county, knows trucks and cars. But it might be surprisong to some that he knows trolleys and busses too.  He knows them so well that he and his department have been recognized for the past eight years in a national trade magazine dedicated to public sector vehicles. (Yes, it seems, there is a magazine for everything).       Government Fleet magazine  ranked Manatee Fleet Services number 14 out of the top 100 fleets in North America Tuesday during the Best Fleets at the Government Fleet Expo and Conference in San Diego. Taking number 14 is no small feat.  Manatee County Fleet Services is one of   an estimated 38,000 public sector fleets across the country. "We are very proud of Team Fleet as they continue to achieve national recognition for the value each member brings to our community,” said Public Works Director Ron Schulhofer. Fleet Services Manager Mike Brennan credits the technicians, material management staff and administrative professionals that make up his department. “Being ranked in the Top 100 for the eighth consecutive year clearly defines this team’s dedication and commitment to provide the best, most cost effective fleet maintenance and management service support to our community,” Brennan said. “It is an honor to lead such a team of outstanding professionals, and I congratulate each and every one of them for their combined successes and national recognition.”

Manatee County is offering free cats to good homes.

Manatee County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees during June, which is adopt-a-shelter-cat month.

Anyone who wants to adopt a cat or kitten can go to the county's two adoption centers in downtown Bradenton and in Palmetto. You can even take a peek at available cats by going to www.mymanatee.org/pets.

 Visit the shelters in person at 305 25th St. W. in Palmetto, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at 1002 B Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A recent article in the  Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science showed  that waiving fees for adult cats boosts adoptions without diminishing the value adopters place on their cats. In addition, the article said, fee-waived adoptions may actually decrease shelter costs by reducing the average length of stay for adult cats.

The county is partnering with the ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step litter to help find  homes for cats. 

The ASPCA provided research for the Journal article.  Fresh Step Litter is getting involved by donating money to the ASPCA to help expand free cat adoption programs.

From June 1 through July 31, 2011, supporters can  “like” Fresh Step’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/freshstep.  For every person who "likes" the page,  the makers of Fresh Step litter will donate $1 -- up to a total of  $100,000 --  to the ASPCA to help expand programs like this and get more cats adopted. 

Executive for southwest Florida's water management district resigns

David L. Moore, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District,  resigned today, but agreed to work with the district through the transition to the next executive director. 

In his letter to Paul Senft Jr., board chairman, Moore said he is proud of the organization's accomplishments during his eight year tenure. He also told the staff that he feels he is leaving the district a the right time. 

“The past eight years have been extremely rewarding,” he said. “From developing large-scale alternative water supplies and reclaimed water to dealing with droughts, hurricanes and an unprecedented freeze, I’m extremely proud of what the District has been able to accomplish. Now I’m ready to transition into the next chapter of my life, which will include spending more time with my family.”  

Moore began his career with the water management district in 1984 as a hydrologist. He worked his way up through the leadership ranks as a project manager, manager, director and deputy executive director.

During Moore’s tenure he has played a key role on myriad issues, including restoration and preservation of water bodies, establishment of minimum flows and levels, watershed assessments, maximizing the beneficial use of reclaimed water, development and implementation of regional water supply plans and land acquisition and management activities.

"My tenure in this position has been extremely rewarding," Moore said in his letter to Senft. 

Bradenton farmer's market closes season Saturday

The Downtown Bradenton Farmer's Market will end its season Saturday.

The market, managed by Realize Bradenton,  is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Old Main Street in downtown. The new season will begin on October 1.

To visit the market's web page Click here.

  

Unemployed or under employed Bradenton homeowners may qualify for financial assistance

The federal government has allocated funding to help pay the mortgages of qualified homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own.

Homeowners who qualify for financial assistance may receive up to six months of  mortgage  payments and/or funds for past due payments. The money is paid directly to the lender.

To determine whether you qualify, log onto the official HHF website at: www.FLHardestHitHelp.org.

Or you may meet with an HHF Advisor at:

COB - Housing & Community Development
941-932-9400 ext., 481 or 493
lesa.livingston@cityofbradenton.com

Manatee County residents respond to pet owner's plight after her chihuahua is mauled

Sue Kolze, vice president of the Animal Network, Inc., was overwhelmed by the kindness and responsiveness of residents who helped pay the vet bills for a chihuahua that had been attacked by another dog. 

Kolze was also impressed with the caring actions of Steve Bell, the animal control officer who responded when Scooter, the chihuahua, was attacked, saying "he went above and beyond the call of duty" to help Polly Davis and her pet.

Bell helped Davis get Scooter to the emergency vet. When the vet bill for Scooter was nearing $1,000, Davis wasn't sure what she would do. She didn't have the money to pay to save Scooter. 

Several animal advocates got publicity out about the attack and asked people to contribute to the vet bill if they could. 

"As a result of the publicity, and the donations from our generous community, more money was received than was needed for Scooter's bills, and the balance will be put toward other animals in need," Kolze said.

Scooter is at the specialty vet for surgery this morning. He is expected to be back home with Davis in the next couple of days.

The Animal Network Inc, is a non-profit agency, and has set up a separate banks account as a "pet emergency fund" which will be used to assist people who otherwise can not afford to get their sick or injured animals to a vet. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: 

 

"Pet Emergency Fund" 

Animal Network, Inc, 

c/o Sue Kolze, 

610 Ixora Ave.

Ellenton, Fl 34222.  

Desperately seeking public art for Bradenton's Riverwalk project

The Downtown Development Authority is looking for artists with public art experience to create  sculptures metal works, sidewalk art and interpretive art for the city's 1.5 mile Riverwalk project along the city's waterfront. 

A variety of public art will be installed at designated locations along the Riverwalk which is designed to be an active city attraction that will include a splash park, volley ball court and skate park. 

Currently the city is inviting artists to submit designs for the first phase of the project. The designs that are currently being reviewed include: 

•   monumentally scaled sculpture for the entry to a children and family-oriented zone
•  metalwork panels that can be seen through to define areas within the Riverwalk;
• metalwork or other media attachments or insertions to railings along the boardwalk leading under a bridge
• art inserted into sidewalks and the border of a children’s splash pad water feature  
• two dimensional panels that interpret community history as related to the river in media that is permanent. The artist for this project will work with students and teachers who are studying Bradenton history. 

 Artists will soon be invited to apply for additional sites to be included in phase two.       

  To apply for the phase one projects listed above visit www.downtownbradenton.com, click on PROJECTS for a detailed RFQ that includes directions on how to upload application files, plus site plans. 

Questions may be addressed to Ann Wykell at publicart@ddabradenton.com.

Manatee County tax collector's office wins state award for excellence

Times are tight so saving money is important, especially when it comes to ever-shrinking tax revenues.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Sterling council recognized the Manatee County tax collector's office for using technology to shrink costs by more than $800,000 since 2007.

“I am honored to recognize this year’s Sterling Award recipients,”  Scott said.  “These winners are shining examples of how organizations can achieve great savings and deliver outstanding services to Floridians by focusing on efficiency, innovation and excellence.”

Through better use of technology, the office not only reduced its total operating cost by more than $800,000, but Manatee county customers also have a wait time 35 percent shorter than those at the average tax collector’s office. The organization was also the first tax collector’s office in the state to sell hunting and fishing licenses and to offer the free E-check to customers who transact business on its website.

The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation's Southern Business Center in Tampa also was recognized. In 2010, the corporation settled nearly $1.66 quadrillion in securities transactions.

Manatee County Tax Collector and The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation will be honored at the 2011 Governor's Sterling Award Banquet in June.