Manatee County Achieves Green Government Gold Status

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 20, 2014) – Manatee County Government has achieved Gold Level Green Local Government status through the Florida Green Building Coalition.

Suzanne Cook, Executive Director, Florida Green Building Coalition and Brenda Rogers, Manatee County Community Services Director and leader of the County’s Green Team, presented County Commissioners with the news during a regular meeting of the board Tuesday.

"This recognition not only represents the efforts of the Manatee County Government's Green Team, but the unified effort of all county employees,” Rogers said. “These actions have saved dollars, increased efficiencies and are the right thing to do!  I'm very proud of the determination of our Green Team to pursue this credential, each criteria represents their commitment."

Manatee obtained the silver level status in 2011 and for the past two years spent time in pursuit of the gold status. Over that time, a cross section of Manatee County employees worked on a host of initiatives to achieve gold status, including:

• Developing an environmentally preferable purchasing system;

• Implementing the use of alternative fuel in buses and other vehicles;

• Enacting a green landscaping ordinance for local government buildings;

• Applying Florida Friendly landscaping principles at public amenities;

• Utilizing solar or other energy-efficient streetlights.

Tuesday’s award coincided with a separate green initiative which has the potential for millions of dollars in taxpayer savings. Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with FPL Services to build and maintain a new chiller plant in downtown Bradenton. The new facility will modernize and centralize air condition needs of three county-owned buildings downtown.
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