MANATEE COUNTY, FL (February 15, 2024) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is continuing its funding of important initiatives across the county, including affordable housing, public safety, recreation and support services.
During the regular BOCC Meeting Tuesday (February 13, 2024), commissioners moved $1.6 million into gap funding for two upcoming apartment workforce housing initiatives. They also approved the appropriation of $561,036 into a Hurricane Housing Recovery Program.
The BOCC earmarked $985,000 for the Ellenton EMS Station 6 renovation project and $2,381,860 for an expansion of the second floor at the G.T. Bray Recreation Center. Further recreation investments were approved for Country Club East Park, University Place Park and Coquina Beach, totaling $525,000 to replace playground equipment. The board approved a $700,000 request from Manatee County Natural Resources to plant trees at the Premier Sports Campus, Blackstone Park, Lincoln Park, Buffalo Creek Park and Palma Sola Park. Funding was approved to pay $27,830 for home-delivered meals to Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Inc.
“Your board continues to fund these important community projects,” said At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden. “We are listening to the citizens and responding by funding what is crucial to them.”
Crucial literacy and educational efforts include a library Bookmobile to be purchased with $87,100 transferred into the Library Capital Projects Fund. Commissioners also moved to donate 395 reconditioned Apple iPads to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County. They approved funding for median rehabilitation along 63rd Avenue set to cost $776,329 and the construction of a parking lot at the Premier Sports Campus with a price tag of $2,161,640.
A $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was received for planning and design of the Manatee County Palmetto Trails. Another HUD grant for $950,000 was received for the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge over US 41 at Lincoln Park.
The County also entered into an agreement with HUD to utilize another $2.5 million grant for the 15th Street East at 57th Avenue East Roundabout Intersection project.