Government & Politics

Pinellas County Makes It Official: No Large-Scale Data Centers Allowed Outside Cities

Commissioners adopted a resolution Thursday putting in writing what county code already says: standalone data centers like the ones Amazon, Google or Microsoft build can't go up in unincorporated Pinellas.

Sep 264 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Commissioners Cast Final Vote Today on Lower Property Tax Rate for FY27

The Board of County Commissioners holds its final budget hearing Sept. 24, locking in a countywide tax rate cut for the fifth time in six years before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Sep 243 min read

Government & Politics

St. Pete Sets Aside $11.6M for Affordable Apartments, But Requests Already Top $60M

The South St. Petersburg CRA board unanimously backed $15.1 million for housing next year, but council members pressed staff on whether enough of it reaches homeowners already living there.

Sep 224 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Backs Study to Replace Aging Lake Tarpon Flood Gate

County commissioners are moving forward with a study on replacing the 1969-era outfall structure that controls Lake Tarpon, after floodgates failed to open during Tropical Storm Debby and sent water over seawalls in Palm Harbor.

Sep 213 min read

Government & Politics

Clearwater Council Votes 3-2 to Vacate Downtown Streets for Scientology-Backed $50M Entertainment Center

The council cleared the way for Grove Street, an alley and part of Laura Street to be handed over so Myrtle Development can build an 83,000-square-foot cinema and entertainment complex at Cleveland Street and Myrtle Avenue.

Sep 183 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Lowers Tax Rate, Restores Weedon Island Funding in Tentative FY27 Budget

County commissioners unanimously backed a $5.14 billion tentative budget that cuts the tax rate, saves Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves, and keeps social services funding alive for one more year. A final vote comes Sept. 24.

Sep 133 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas County Water Bills Rise Oct. 1 as Final Year of Rate Plan Kicks In

Pinellas County Utilities customers will pay more for water, sewer and reclaimed water starting Oct. 1, the last step in a four-year rate plan county commissioners approved in 2023.

Sep 93 min read

Government & Politics

Madeira Beach Weighs Letting Storm-Damaged Lots Stay as Paid Parking Through 2028

City commissioners are drafting temporary zoning that would let vacant, hurricane-damaged lots along Gulf Boulevard and near John's Pass operate as paid parking, with a vote expected this fall and a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2028.

Sep 73 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Commissioner Moves to Rip Out Flock Cameras as Sheriff Digs In

Vince Nowicki wants the county to end its Flock and Axon contracts and pull license plate cameras off county roads within 30 days. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says he won't take his down voluntarily.

Sep 64 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Tourism Tax Pours Record $3.37 Million Into 47 Events, With Eyes on 2027 Ocean Race

County commissioners approved another round of tourist-tax funding for a powerboat race, pushing Visit St. Pete-Clearwater's event program to its highest total ever and setting up the county's biggest test yet: hosting The Ocean Race's only North American stop in 2027.

Sep 43 min read

Government & Politics

First Home Rebuilt Under Pinellas' $813M Storm Recovery Program Opens in Largo

Melissa Arledge's Largo house is the first single-family home fully rebuilt through Pinellas Recovers, the county's federal disaster relief program. More than 140 homes are now in permitting or under construction.

Sep 33 min read

Government & Politics

Pinellas Seeks $15M in State Grants to Flood-Proof Aging South Cross Bayou Wastewater Plant

County commissioners voted unanimously to pursue state resilience funding for pump and flood upgrades at the 63-year-old South Cross Bayou plant, the largest wastewater facility in Pinellas County.

Aug 313 min read