54 positions eliminated as Manatee County Government continues to downsize

  • May 25, 2011

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 25, 2011) –As part of the ongoing process in downsizing and streamlining operations, Manatee County Government has reduced its workforce by an additional 54 positions.

The workforce reductions are part of a balanced budget proposal that County Administrator Ed Hunzeker will present to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners next week.


Additional budget details will be available next week when Hunzeker will propose a new zero-based biennial budget to the Board Wednesday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m. in the first floor chambers of Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W.


Many of the impacted positions were in areas where workload no longer required as many personnel. All affected employees were notified as of Tuesday afternoon. In recent weeks, Manatee County Human Resources representatives worked closely with County department heads to reassign some employees to funded, vacant positions. Helping to soften the blow to layoff totals are 20 County employees who chose to take part in an early retirement option.


“Each of the impacted employees was treated with dignity and respect,” Hunzeker said. “Every attempt was made to keep employee reductions to an absolute minimum.”


Since 2007, Manatee County has reduced staffing levels by 237. The County’s annual net budget from 2007 through this year has been reduced almost $122 million. The upcoming budget reduction figures will be revealed Wednesday.


The public is invited to attend the following series of budget workshops:


Wed., June 1, 1:30 p.m. -- Budget Presentation, First Floor Chambers


Mon., June 6, 9 a.m. – Budget Fund Analysis, Fourth Floor Manatee Room
Mon., June 6, 1:30 p.m. – Decision Unit Review, Fourth Floor Manatee Room


Thurs., June 9, 9 a.m. – Decision Unit Review, Fourth Floor Manatee Room


Tues., June 14, 9 a.m. – Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Presentation, Fourth Floor Manatee Room
Tues., June 14, 1:30 p.m. – Constitutional Officers’ Budgets, Fourth Floor Manatee Room


Thurs., June 16, 1:30 p.m. – Decision Unit Review (if needed), Fourth Floor Manatee Room
Thurs., June 16, 6 p.m. – Public Hearing, First Floor Chambers


Fri., July 29, 9 a.m. – Budget Reconciliation, First Floor Chambers


Many budget materials will be available by June 1 at www.mymanatee.org/budget