Millennials set to present to commission on affordable, workforce housing Tuesday

MANATEE -- As Manatee County government continues to tackle the affordable and workforce housing issue, the commission will hear about the topic from millennials on Tuesday.

During Tuesday's worksession, which begins at 9 a.m., Manatee Chamber Young Professionals, Manatee Millennial Movement, Manatee County Housing Authority and Bradenton Housing Authority are among the groups expected to present to the commission. The worksession will take place in the Manatee Room, which is on the fourth floor of the Manatee County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Tuesday's worksession is the second part of a three-part series on "All Things Housing," which was developed by the county's Neighborhood Services Department to allow the commission to "meet with experts to discuss affordable and workforce housing in Manatee County," according to agenda materials. The final worksession in the series is scheduled for March 15.

The three-part series is intended to help commissioners get their thoughts together as they prepare to work on the upcoming budget, whether to spend money for housing and what to spend the money on, County Administrator Ed Hunzeker said at the Jan. 19 worksession.

Cheri Coryea, the county's neighborhood services department director, echoed Hunzeker.

"We felt that this has risen to a priority level that it would be helpful for all the commissioners to hear from some of the experts in the field," Coryea said at the Jan. 19 worksession. "It is our goal to keep you informed, engaged and also to provide you with what you need."

The presentations will focus on "rules, regulations, perceived needs and potential requirements," according to agenda materials.

"Upon completion of the three-part series, the board will have detailed information to proceed with Land Development Code changes and other housing funding decisions. In turn, the community can move forward in meeting current and future demands for affordable and workforce housing in Manatee County," according to the agenda materials.

On Tuesday, the commission will also:

Hear an update on the new Regional P25 Public Safety Radio System, which is intended to "improve public safety for citizens of both counties and first responders," according to agenda materials. On Tuesday, the commission will receive a project status report, which will include scope, schedule and cost information.

Hear about the county's Marine Paramedic Rescue program, which was implemented as a pilot program in 2015. The program, which will be evaluated for cost effectiveness, was "created as a response to the increasing island need for Marine Rescue personnel and the need to provide an enhanced paramedic presence on the island," according to the materials.

Discuss Community Paramedic Program, which will redirect patients to alternative resources from the emergency department as a way to decrease health care costs. "During operation, the community paramedic will participate in the 911 system by responding to calls with the intent of redirecting non-emergent patients to appropriate resources," according to the materials. The program is currently funded by a grant.

Discuss Manatee County Area Transit fixed route service enhancements. The county has proposed increasing the paratransit rates from $2 to $3.

Discuss Board of County Commissioners staffing. .

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 11:27 PM with the headline "Millennials set to present to commission on affordable, workforce housing Tuesday ."