½-Cent Sales Tax: How Bradenton Would Spend Its Share

BRADENTON, FL — When Manatee County voters head to the polls Nov. 8, they’ll have more than a presidential pick to make. They’re also being asked to decide if they’re willing to pay an extra half-cent in sales taxes to cover community improvement projects.

Designed to bolster budgets throughout the county for such things as roads, parks and public safety equipment, the tax has a 15-year lifespan. It’s expected to add $3.5 million a year to the City of Bradenton’s budget alone.

As the county continues a series of public meetings to talk about the tax proposal and its potential benefits, the city has released some of the projects it would like to tackle should voters approve the measure.

The upcoming meetings being staged by the county are as follows:

• Oct. 12 – South Manatee Branch Library, 6081 26th St. W., Bradenton at 6 p.m.
• Oct. 19 – Braden River Library, 4915 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton at 6 p.m.
• Oct. 20 – Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. Highway 301 N., Ellenton at 6 p.m.

The county has information posted about the tax proposal on its website, as well.

As for Bradenton, here is a breakdown of some of the projects the city would like to tackle should voters say yes to paying more:

• Citywide paving program
• Street lighting enhancements
• Improvements to 3rd Avenue West
• An extension of 3rd Avenue East between 6th and 9th Streets West
• Improvements to police and fire facilities
• An extension of Riverwalk east along Riverside Drive East between 2nd and 15th Avenues West
• Improvements to Lewis, Love, Mineral Springs and other parks
• Stormwater improvements

To read a full rundown of projects for the city, visit its website.

Residents who want to learn more are encouraged to attend one of the county’s upcoming meetings. The meetings involve a 20-minute presentation followed by question-and-answer sessions.

“These community meetings are really geared at voters who want to make an informed decision on the half-cent for infrastructure question on the ballot,” said Nick Azzara, county spokesman. “We’ll go through the basics of what the tax is, why it’s on the ballot and talk about some of the projects will be funded in each district if voters approve the half-cent in November.”

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