News Briefs

+ Sheriff Steube proposes cuts
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is proposing to reduce its budget by nearly 4.6%, bringing the current $97 million figure to $92.5 million.

Sheriff Brad Steube has proposed cutting 12 jobs and overtime benefits for deputies to comply with a request from county officials to shave off $4.5 million from his next fiscal year’s budget. Steube declined to say which jobs may be cut but said layoffs would be a last resort. He hopes the lost positions will be achieved through attrition as employees resign, retire or are fired.

Personnel cuts alone would reduce the budget by about $980,000.

Manatee County commissioners will begin seeing budget proposals May 28.

+ Neal unveils new Ranch models
Developer Pat Neal of Neal Communities announced to East County Realtors and friends that his company would be selling new homes in the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club starting at just under $200,000 at a special event May 7.

“We’re still awake and paying attention (to the market),” Neal told a crowd that had gathered in company’s design center on Lakewood Ranch Main Street for the announcement.

Neal said the company has worked to redesign its product and floor plans to make them more affordable for potential homebuyers. For photos, see YourObserver.com.

+ Manatee honors migrant students
Twenty-three Manatee County Public Schools seniors and 35 juniors received special recognition at the 23rd Annual Migrant Education Awards Ceremony at 7 p.m., May 11, at the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium.