LWV County Commission Budget Session Notes: 06/15/2022
Posted
League of Women Voters Manatee County
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the Manatee County Commissioners Budget Work Session on 06/15/2022, observed by Tina Shope.
The Utilities Department is the largest enterprise in the county. Departments include potable water, wastewater, solid waste, and business operations.
All operations are funded by rates. No tax revenue is received. The department does not operateto make a profit.
The operating budget is $159.3 million.
Highlights Include: Potable Water
Sarasota is supplied with 4.5 million gallons daily. The county is reducing amounts supplied toSarasota.
Assurances were made thatManatee County has enough water supply
Solid Waste - Landfill
The remaining life on the landfill is 19.5 years.
Commissioner Whitmore noted acquisition and approval of a landfill takes 18-20 years. Gore relayed thatsince we know what to look for, hopefully, we will avoid environmental issues that cause delays.
County Administrator Hopes related a site will be identified within the next 12 months.
Solid Waste/Recycling
Commissioner Servia noted she has received questions from citizens since the City of Bradenton eliminated recycling pickup.(see below for a program 6/16 at 7PM on Bradenton Recycling)
Sixty-five percent of the county solid waste picked up is recycling which is4thin the state
Wastewater
A new filtration system is being installedwhich among other thingsremoves micro-plastics, bacteria and some viruses.
Lake Manatee Dam Repairs
The inflow is safe, but the downstream needs repair. The County has received two bids with one being within the $17 million budget.
Piney Point
The County is reclaiming100,000gallons of water daily.
They are able to handle the current volume of water but would not like to see an increase.
Hopes noted this board approved a deep well and that the county is making progress on a contract for this process and the receiver is within a few weeks of issuing a contract.
Business Program-Challenges
Rising costs are the biggest challenge. The systems must be maintained within certain regulatory standards. Gore said he cut out every bell and whistle.
Althoughthe growth-boundary hasn’t moved, the population has expanded drastically within the boundarymaking it hard to manage.
Staffing.
Any sizable storms can be a problem even if it is a "named".
Utilities CIP Total-$146.4
GOVERNANCE/SUNSHINE
The meeting was run in an efficient manner and the tone was generally professional.
The Utilities department’s PowerPoint was linked in the online agenda material appropriately providing the information in advance of the meeting.
Bradenton Recycling Program, Thursday, June 16, 7:00
Jim McClellan, the Director of Public Works & Utilities for the City of Bradenton will join our June 16th meeting to discuss Bradenton’s revised recycling program. There will be opportunity for Q & A.
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