News Briefs

+ Manatee County hosts land-code workshops
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and the Manatee County Planning Commission will host half-day workshops March 4 to March 7 to discuss proposed changes to the county’s Land Development Code.

Workshops will be open to the public and will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

During the workshops, county staff members and a project consultant will describe each of the proposed changes, which they say are largely superficial.

The changes are the first of a two-phase revision of the Manatee County LDC — a document written in 1989.

+ School district projects positive fund balance
At the Manatee County School Board meeting Feb. 25, district finance staff members announced they project the district will have an $8.1 million surplus in the fund balance by June 30.

At the same time last year, the district had a $7.5 million deficit in its fund balance, also known as reserves. 

The increase represents a more than $15 million turnaround in one year. 

The projected surplus does not take into account two State Auditor General’s Office reports, produced in December, which revealed the district could spend more than $9 million to recover from major financial errors incurred in the past.

Superintendent Rick Mills is negotiating with the Florida Department of Education to reduce the fines, so the district can preserve its positive fund balance. 

+ Correction
In the Feb. 27 issue of the East County Observer, the pentathlon story on page 1A incorrectly listed the year for the competition in its subhead. The World Modern Pentathlon Cup will take place in 2014.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land-Use Meeting — 9 a.m. March 6, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Meeting — 9 a.m. March 11, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County School Board Workshop — 3 p.m. March 11, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County School Board Meeting — 5:45 p.m. March 11, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton