Local News in Pinellas County

Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties issue states of emergency over dengue fever

Tampa Bay officials extend watering restrictions through March

St. Pete-Clearwater airport contract draws scrutiny

The concern centers on how companies were scored when Pinellas first sought the work in 2024.

County adopts FY 2027 budget

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Thursday adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget. According to a prepared statement, the General Fund property tax rate was reduced to 4.4989 mills. This is “its lowest level since 1989 and less than 1 percent above the full rollback…

Views oppose on Amendment 3

Supporters tout homeowner relief; opponents warn of cuts to essential local services.

‘Nothing was done improperly’: Pinellas sheriff responds to accusations of not disclosing immigrant detention policies to public safety council

Pro-immigrant activists are calling for more transparency from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office after a representative didn’t disclose information about immigrant detention policies. Records obtained by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay show that the Public Safety Coordinating…

‘A dagger straight through the heart’: Former Safety Harbor commissioner argues against Florida’s Amendment 3

For the past 25 years, my wife and I have lived in the city of Safety Harbor, a quaint, yet vibrant, city that we share with 16,000 or so others on Old Tampa Bay. Safety Harbor is full of generous people and businesses who support all of the nonprofit work we do, and has provided…

St. Pete Beach Approves 2027 Budget Amid Wastewater Concerns

The City of St. Pete Beach approved its 2027 budget at the rollback tax rate as residents questioned planned wastewater rate increases.

St. Pete Beach Weighed 21 More Bella Vista Lift Stations

St. Pete Beach weighed a delayed Bella Vista lift station project and studied whether the neighborhood could need 21 more stations.

St. Pete Beach Commissioners Heard Range of Resident Concerns

On Sept. 21, St. Pete Beach commissioners heard concerns about sheriff’s enforcement, development density, city donations, and other issues.

Ban on large-scale data centers in unincorporated county reinforced

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution Thursday reinforcing the County’s existing ban on standalone, large-scale data centers in the unincorporated county. According to a prepared statement, “large-scale data centers are already prohibited under…

PSTA lowers property tax rate and approves FY 2027 budget

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Wednesday reduced its property tax rate for the third year and approved its 2027 fiscal year budget. According to a prepared statement, ” the tax rate for FY 2027 is set to .7168 mills, which is the full roll-back rate, meaning no…