A proposed budget for the state of Florida showed tremendous wins for the Sarasota-Bradenton area, from money for a new state park to boosts in spending for adoption services.

“Our region is a big winner this session,” said Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. “We have a great delegation that worked hard to secure funding for the various projects and community-based issues.”

The biggest single expenditure that counts as a regional win likely would be the $23 appropriation included in the budget to purchase Rattlesnake Key. Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, counted that as his top budget priority this year.

“Preserving Rattlesnake Key is instrumental to protect our waterway from commercial development, to preserve fish and wildlife, and create a park and recreation area for all Floridians to enjoy for generations to come,” he said. 

The key, which is accessible only by water, sits near Terra Ceia in Manatee County waters, south of the Sunshine Skyway. Manatee County Commissioners last year voted to put $3 million toward the effort and a funding request from Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, initially sought just $2.5 million, but this amount massively boosts the available resources for land purchase.

Gruters, meanwhile, worked with Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota, on changing how much money would go to community-based care agencies in parts of the state including Sarasota. The result was an $8.6 million increase in the budget for Safe Children Coalition, about a 30% boost, according to CEO Brena Slater.

She said the agency for seven years has suffered with a shortage in funding compared to areas like Miami. A change in formula used for this year’s budget makes sure every agency in Florida gets at least 100% requested funding.

“For us, it means we will be able to provide more diversion services for families, prevention services for families,” she said. “We’ll be able to increase case managers’ salaries and the number of case managers so their case loads are less. Our children and families will finally be equal to other children and families in the state of Florida.”

A number of individual appropriations also came to the region, such as $2.5 million for State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, $2.5 million for a pedestrian overpass over U.S. 41 in Palmetto, $2.5 million for a training program at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, and $3 million for powerline removal on State Road 789 in Bradenton Beach. 

Shumaker announced that Associate Ryan M. Guerin has joined the firm’s National Labor, Employment and Benefits Service Line, as the latest in a string of strategic hires for the group, which most recently welcomed Partner Clayton Williams in the firm’s Charlotte, NC office, and Partner Scot Hinshaw in the Toledo, OH office. Ryan’s practice primarily focuses in the area of labor and employment, but also covers an array of general and complex commercial litigation matters. He represents employers in litigation involving claims of employment harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leave laws, wage and hour laws, whistleblower laws, enforcement of and defense against non-solicitation and non-competition agreements, and other employment-related claims. He also advises businesses on current legal trends and best employment practices. Ryan represents numerous industries, including clients within the automotive, retail, hospitality, health services, transportation, manufacturing, and construction industries. 

Commercial construction management firm, Firmo Construction, has been hired to build a Tru by Hilton in Jacksonville by I-95 South. In partnership with Jacksonville-based hospitality development group, OMSHIV JAX LLC, Firmo was awarded the project earlier this year and celebrated the start of the construction process with a groundbreaking ceremony this week. Bringing decades of combined experience with Hilton builds and the hospitality industry, Firmo Construction, OMSHIV JAX LLC, and the project's architect, Bharat R Patel Architect, Inc., will deliver this Hilton model at 4945 Lenoir Ave in South Jacksonville. The future four-story Tru by Hilton will feature 98 guest rooms, a fitness room, patio, outdoor pool, and lounge and gaming area. At a little over 45,000 square feet, the structure will be situated on a 2.65-acre lot. 

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The School Board of Manatee County is seeking civic-minded citizens to serve as members of the Audit Committee. The Committee, which meets six times a year, recommends the appointment of the internal and external auditors; reviews the scope, plan and reports of the internal and external auditors; and assists in maintaining open communications between the selected auditors, the School Board and the District’s financial management. The Committee also reviews the collection and proper use of the funds raised through the one-half cent sales surtax for school capital outlay expenditures. Membership on the Committee requires an average of five-to-eight hours per month, with meetings scheduled every other month for three hours. The term is approximately three years. Those interested in serving must: live in Manatee County, be a CPA (active or retired) or had employment experience in school district financial operations and submit a letter expressing interest, providing contact information and providing a brief summary of their work experience. Responses must be sent to the Manatee County School District, Attn: Board Agency Clerk, P.O. Box 9069, Bradenton, Florida 34206-9069. Interested individuals can obtain additional information about the Committee by emailing Barbara Vedder, Audit Committee Chair, at vedderb@manateeschools.net. 

IMPACT100 SRQ announced its 2022 Giving Year grant impact for Sarasota and Manatee Counties at their annual Big Reveal event. The goal to #FundAllFive was surpassed on March 8 when the local women’s organization announced it will fund six transformational grants to nonprofits in each of five focus area categories: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment & Recreation, Family and Health & Wellness. The Big Reveal took place at the Nathan Benderson Finishing Tower and brought members, supporters, and the community together in anticipation to learn how many women have come together to invest in our community, and how many grants will be funded for the 2022 giving year. The next phase of the Giving Year starts March 9, with the opening of the online grant application process for nonprofit organizations. After completing a required eligibility form, nonprofits are invited to submit an application for a $110,500 grant at www.impact100SRQ.org. Visit the link to apply or to learn more about past grant recipients. In just four years, since this local chapter’s inception, the women of Impact100 SRQ will fund 15 grants and will donate $1,637,000 to local nonprofits. Its collective giving model is simple – at least 100 women come together, each invests $1,000, and grants are funded in increments of no less than $100,000. As its membership grows, more grants can be funded and the impact of Impact100 SRQ will be magnified throughout our community. 

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Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards during a ceremony Tuesday to recognize employees who demonstrated exemplary service to their community. Corrections Deputy Asen Dimitrov earned the Life Saving Award for rendering aid to an inmate during a suicide attempt. Deputy Christopher Hudson and Communications Operator I Jenifer Christensen earned the Life Saving Award for their efforts to save a 71-year-old Sarasota County citizen experiencing a heart attack. Members of the Honor Guard received the Unit Citation Award for their actions over the past year including the full honors memorial service for fallen Deputy Joshua Welge, the first line of duty death in the agency’s 100-year history. The Animal Services Section received a Unit Citation for their tireless efforts throughout 2021 to support the sheriff’s office and animals of Sarasota County. 

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