News Briefs

+ Manatee County adopts new logo
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners has approved a new county logo that will appear on county property and government-related publications starting March 1.

Part of a larger rebranding strategy, the logo will be used on letterheads, business cards and county publications. 

“We needed a modern look,” said Nick Azzara, information outreach coordinator for Manatee County. “We needed to stand out in a crowded field. The logo has a tropical nature (and) warm feel that reflects the attractiveness of Manatee County.”

The rebranding project began when commissioners approved a new marketing theme for the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2012. The Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. now shares that branding.

The commissioners extended the use of the design in January 2013, at which time they voted to rebrand MCAT buses, shelters and benches.

County vendors and business partners can download the new sunshine-splashed logo on Manatee County’s website beginning Friday.

The board also approved an ordinance last week that makes the familiar-looking explorer ship, which the county has used as a de factor seal, as the official county seal. The seal appears on commissioners’ business cards and on letters from the county administrator, Ed Hunzeker.

+ Amendments to appear on November ballot
The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections office reports petitions for legalizing medical marijuana and for funding land and water conservation projects in the state of Florida will appear on the November ballot.

Manatee County’s elections office certified 14,746 petitions of 21,595 received regarding medical marijuana. It certified 8,420 of 11,075 petitions received for the Water and Land Conservation Petition. 

“My staff has worked hard verifying these two petitions over the last six months,” Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett said.

Both amendments garnered enough support locally, and from each county in Florida, to appear on the ballot in November. 

+ Lennar unveils model homes in Bridgewater community
Lennar Homes hosted a grand opening Feb. 1 to showcase four new model homes at Bridgewater at Lakewood Ranch.

Lennar, a Miami-based national homebuilder, unveiled its Chapel Hill and Cambridge Grande models, and two model manor homes, including the two-story Oxford and single-story Princeton.

The Chapel Hill contains five bedrooms, four full baths and one half-bath in 3,800 square feet of living space and a three-car garage.

The Cambridge Grande features three bedrooms, three full baths, one half-bath and a three-car garage in 3,025 square feet of space.

The Oxford has six bedrooms, four full baths and two half-baths in 3,828 square feet.

The Princeton offers four bedrooms, two baths and a three-car garage in 2,245 square feet.

Lennar plans to about 280 new homes at Bridgewater, which is located off the newly named White Eagle Boulevard

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

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Meeting — 9 a.m. Feb. 11, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. Feb. 13, at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

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

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