News Briefs

+ County seeks public input on Animal Services Department
Manatee County wants to hear how the public views a department that has been and is currently under the scope.

Through Sept. 19, county officials are seeking public input on the Animal Services Department, as part of an ongoing evaluation of the group by Matrix Consulting Firm.

The firm conducting the study — Matrix Consulting Firm — will offer the brief, anonymous survey as an avenue to determining the division’s strengths and areas that need improvement.

To access the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/s/ManateeCountyAnimalServices.

+ Creekwood Dog Park reopens after month-long closure
After a month of construction, the dog park at Creekwood Park has reopened with more amenities for the public.

Creekwood now has two new pavilions with picnic tables at both the small-and large-dog parks. Other amenities include park benches, shade trees and doggie drinking fountains and waste bags.

Creekwood Park opened in 2011 and has a two-acre area for larger, active dogs and another smaller park for smaller dogs. It is located at 7025 44th Ave. E., Bradenton.

For more information, visit mymanatee.org.

+ County files Sanborn Studios lawsuit response last week
Almost three weeks after Sanborn Studios filed a counter lawsuit against Sarasota County for acting in bad faith, the county filed a response Sept. 12.

The county asked for dismissal of three out of four counterclaims and denied all eight of the company’s affirmative defenses for the original lawsuit. The county claimed several of them lacked a proper legal defense.

The first lawsuit was filed by the county July 28 for breach of contract and indebtedness. It claims Sanborn Studios failed to adhere to the agreements of the two incentive loans, which totaled $650,000. In the contract, Sanborn said it would create 117 full-time jobs by 2013. For each position the company failed to make, it was supposed to repay the county $2,992.

Sanborn closed its studio in Lakewood Ranch in December 2011.

+ Manatee County Planning Commission members wanted
Manatee County is accepting applications for two vacancies on its Planning Commission, through Oct. 3.
The commission will appoint candidates to serve a four-year term.

The Planning Commission meets at 9 a.m. the second Thursday of each month, in the first floor of the County Administrative Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.

To apply, visit mymanatee.org/advisoryboards.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners— 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23, at the County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County School District Workshop— 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 23, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County School District Meeting — 5:45 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23, at 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Planning Task Force Meeting — 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 25, at the County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.