MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Keep Manatee Beautiful’s illegal dumping rapid response team has removed more than 32 tons of trash from Manatee County roadsides and public spaces in six months, prompting county commissioners to continue funding the cleanup effort.
The program began with a CareerSource Suncoast hurricane recovery grant, which funded two full-time employees for six months to help remove storm debris. During that time, the two workers removed more than 64,000 pounds of trash.
Manatee County commissioners voted last month to fund the two workers’ salaries to keep the program going. Keep Manatee Beautiful is covering the truck, trailer and supplies, and the county has waived tipping fees for trash taken to the landfill, said Jennifer Hoffman, executive director of Keep Manatee Beautiful…