Good to know

Manatee County offices and libraries, Palmetto's city offices and every Tax Collector office close Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day, along with county recreation and aquatic centers and the animal shelters. Trash, recycling and yard waste pickup in unincorporated Manatee County stays on schedule, MCAT buses run as usual, and county parks and beaches stay open.

Call 3-1-1 on weekdays, 8 am to 5 pm (941-748-4501 from outside the county), or report it any time in the Manatee 311 app or online: potholes, broken streetlights, graffiti, abandoned vehicles and more. For emergencies, call 911.

Source: Manatee County

A regional water shortage order limits lawn watering to one day a week through March 31, 2027. Check your day at mymanatee.org.

Sources: Southwest Florida Water Management District, Bay News 9

Since Oct. 1, 2026, Florida law requires drivers to notify law enforcement right away after a crash that injures or kills someone or causes apparent damage of at least $2,000 (it was $500): the police inside a city, otherwise the Sheriff's Office or the Florida Highway Patrol.

Source: Florida Senate, SB 488 (2026)

The Manatee County Tax Collector began collecting 2026 property taxes Nov. 2. Paying in full by Dec. 3 takes 4% off; the discount is 3% through Dec. 31, 2% in January and 1% in February, and March 31 is the last day before taxes are delinquent. Details at taxcollector.com. Amendment 3's bigger homestead exemption starts with the 2027 bills.

See what Amendment 3 saves you

Sources: Manatee County Tax Collector: current property taxes, Manatee County Property Appraiser: Amendment 3

Check the National Hurricane Center for the current outlook. The Manatee 311 app shows your evacuation level and emergency shelters.

Source: National Hurricane Center