Manatee County rejects two town requests for WCIND funds

The Manatee County Board of Commissioners rejected two town requests for grants to the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) at its Tuesday, May 15 special meeting.

The town sought $100,000 for its marine patrol, which the commission rejected because it supplants funding for an existing program.

The town also submitted an application for $5,000 for Longboat Key Fire Rescue hours on the water, which WCIND’s executive director deemed ineligible for funds.

The commission approved a total $797,108 in WCIND grants, including a $1,500 grant for Longboat Key Fire Rescue new equipment.

Last year, the commission approved a one-time grant of $30,000 for the town’s marine patrol — less than half of the $76,500 the town sought. The grant came from the county’s contingency fund rather than WCIND funds.

The West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) is a four-county special taxing district comprised of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].