Commissioners Continue Funding Initiatives

Posted on 01/08/2025

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (January 8, 2025) – The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is continuing to fund important initiatives across the county in the new year, including community organizations, public safety, and support services.

They also took time to honor the 2024 Manatee County Employee of the Year, Yesenia Alves, who has been with Manatee County since November 13, 2012, and is currently a Probation Officer with the Community & Veterans Services Department.

“You are a reflection of what this county embodies,” said BOCC Chair George Kruse. “We couldn’t do what we do without people like you.”

The Board issued a proclamation designating January 14, 2025, as Yesenia Alves Day in Manatee County.

“It’s truly an honor,” said Alves.

Commissioners welcomed the 2025 Manatee County Fair organizers as they invited the Board to the fair beginning next Thursday, January 16, 2025. The fair runs through January 26, 2025, at the Manatee County Fairgrounds (1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto).

“It’s our 109th Anniversary,” said Danny Alfonso, Fair Manager, Manatee River Fair Association. “Our theme is ‘Keeping Agriculture Alive in 2025.’”

During the first regular BOCC meeting of the year, commissioners voted to provide $25,000 in emergency funding for Keep Manatee Beautiful to assist clean-up activities from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The Board also approved a $200,000 donation from the Manatee County's Children's Services millage for the prevention of child drowning. These funds will go toward the purchase of door and window locks, door alarms and water-surface alarms to help protect county kids.

Commissioners received an update on the acquisition of the Seafood Shack property in Cortez. The property consists of approximately 5.9 acres of upland parcels and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres. Commissioners were informed that the county closed on the $13 million purchase December 31, 2024.

“The primary purpose for this property will be a public boat ramp,” said Deputy County Administrator Bryan Parnell. “We will work with the board in the coming months to ensure that we have the proper scope of work before we start with design and construction.”