News Briefs

+ Mills meets with FDOE commissioner
Manatee County School District Superintendent Rick Mills traveled to Tallahassee Monday to meet with Florida Department of Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. The two were scheduled to discuss findings and recommendations from district audits that the State Auditor General’s Office released in December.

Those reports revealed the district could spend more than $9 million to recover from major financial errors — including poor record keeping and overspending — past leadership made. 

Mills hoped to gain support from the FDOE on an action plan he submitted Dec. 20 to the Florida auditor general.

By showing that he has a strong plan to address the findings, Mills hopes to mitigate, eliminate or amortize penalties owed to the state. 

Mills says the district will close out the fiscal year with at least $8 million in reserves — a number that could shrink based on how much the district loses as a consequence of the state audits.

Additionally, Mills attended a Joint Legislative Auditing Committee meeting Feb. 10.

Mills and other district representatives met with the committee Jan. 13 to discuss the auditor general’s findings.

Mills met with the committee again, at its request, to submit a list of suggestions regarding how school districts can avoid financial problems.

+ Organizers release Winterfest lineup
Organizers of a new music festival slated for Lakewood Ranch have announced the event’s final musical lineup.

Winterfest, a family-friendly event featuring games and activities, will feature live music by: Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band; Kansa; the Atlanta Rhythm Section; Rick Derringer; Jeff Cook and the Allstar Goodtime Band; Marty Balin; Ty Herndon; Billy Dean; Les Sabler; Bertie Higgins and Hotel California.

The daylong festival runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m March 29, at the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. Gates open at 8 a.m.

General admission costs $25 in advance and $40 at the door — cash payments only.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit lwrwinterfest.com. 

+ County offices close on Presidents Day
Manatee County Government offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Presidents Day.
All trash, recycling and yard waste collections for the week will be postponed by one day from Tuesday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 22, for residents in unincorporated Manatee.

Manatee County Area Transit, the Anna Maria Island Trolley and the Longboat Key Trolley will operate normal daily routes.

Manatee County parks and beaches will be open to the public, as well.

Manatee County and Buffalo Creek golf courses will remain open. The fitness center and teen room at G.T. Bray Recreation Center will be closed, but G.T. Bray Skate Park will remain open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Central Library will be closed Feb. 17 and will resume normal operating hours Feb. 18.

All of Manatee County’s branch libraries operate normally Tuesday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, Feb. 22.
Manatee County’s publicly owned natural preserves will remain open, as well.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. Feb. 13, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Work Session — 9 a.m. Feb. 18, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County School District Audit Committee Meeting — 3 p.m. Feb. 19, at 215 Manatee Avenue W., Bradenton