Manatee County funds community initiatives

The Manatee County Commission has approved funding for various initiatives for community organizations, public safety, transportation and more.

Commissioners earmarked $1.6 million for intersection improvements at 44th Avenue East at Uihlein Road, 44th Avenue East at Wood Fern Trail, Rangeland Parkway at Uihlein Road and Rangeland Parkway at New Haven Boulevard.

Commissioners also moved $962,052 into the Parks and Recreation fund to pay for improvements to the pump room and restrooms at John Marble Park, which is under construction and expected to be completed by the end of the year.

More than $1.8 million was appropriated from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants to community organizations including Meals on Wheels Plus, Turning Points Project Smile and Gulfcoast Legal Services. 

Emergency services will purchase 40 new transport ventilators with a $616,534 transfer of funds, and an additional $252,686 will be used to purchase a high-water rescue vehicle for the Beach Patrol Division of Manatee County Public Safety.