[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6166774,"mediaKeyId","5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98","parentId",5414839,"title","County, cities submit expanded list of mitigation projects after FEMA HMGP allocations for Helene and Milton","audioSeconds",921,"startMs",3545000,"endMs",4466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98&start=3545&end=4466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98/thumbnail_3545000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166774/Pinellas-County/Florida/County-cities-submit-expanded-list-of-mitigation-projects-after-FEMA-HMGP-allocations-for-Helene-and-Milton","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166774-9e3a76f8084d30cde682f284ea2b7550/orig.mp4?Expires=1775969463&Signature=bWigI~KCLB3~NGplfWJJ921HD3PuVmWqxLTAU9ARgzZG-3R6Qq6ujLTB2cEBTBmJpyw7Zb8euhXEot5FdrB6b1pXF5kGRtoXl8hDYEgFvfCtDM0IparTeVclhvv4-CbTC3aw05N~up-IgQ7FyCTS-p09u3zPNf3CEXjInY5aSoAH81P4rUCWFuxjMbCDVOGfjvqdSBgxz~PemH8Di2QybMwa75FtInHh8Qu6ixsrKa06VjW~7yKlFTS3Bg7eZ1jpXIhnV9X4cUNa2ZPd-aCOyKNjoSxNITOWIkqivChunEo7lqIz03Kiswc~ysw5~YBcvR9dfAROXSpAku9GlPg6lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County, FL ","date","2025-07-14T13:06:33Z","article","Pinellas County staff told the commission on July 17 that a countywide effort is underway to submit projects for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) after allocations related to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Smita Ambari, principal planner with housing and community development, said the state-administered HMGP is a post‑disaster reimbursement program that requires a 25% local match and that the county's eligibility depends on maintaining a Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) plan and working group. She described the current allocation as the largest the county has seen: about $146 million for Helene and $87 million for Milton, for a combined $233 million available at the county level.

Because the allocation must be shared across all eligible jurisdictions and special districts on the presidential declaration, the LMS working group compiled a much larger set of projects: as of the latest update staff reported roughly 68 countywide projects with a combined federal ask near $400 million (Helene and Milton requests together), producing an over‑subscription relative to the allocation. That over‑submission is deliberate: the state encourages jurisdictions to submit more projects than the allocation in case some projects are deemed ineligible or withdrawn during state review.

County projects on the lists include utility hardening (drinking water and wastewater facilities), elevation or hardening of critical electrical and signal infrastructure on barrier islands, and broader flood‑risk reduction actions such as Cross Bayou and the Bay Point stormwater park. Several county projects already in the capital plan—most notably the 30th Street culvert upsizing—were submitted for HMGP as a way to offset local matching costs.

Smita emphasized that the 25% local match is the responsibility of each applicant; that requirement can limit which municipalities or nonprofits can realistically apply because smaller jurisdictions may lack matching capital. The state will evaluate, perform cost‑benefit analysis and submit tiered lists to FEMA; tier 1 projects are those within a county's allocation, and tier 2 funds can be distributed later if other counties do not fully use their allotments.

Staff reported that the county's own submissions for Helene included five county projects requesting $41 million of federal share with a $13.9 million local match; for Milton the county requested about $39.9 million federal with $13.3 million local match. Applications were being finalized and due to the state July 25; the state will perform a review and forward eligible projects to FEMA. Staff and municipalities are coordinating to refine costs and eligibility through the state review period and the 12‑month lock‑in that follows the six‑month allocation estimate.

Next steps: the county and participating jurisdictions will complete applications by the state deadline, attach the LMS prioritized list and await state review. If projects are approved, project sponsors will be responsible for providing the 25% match and managing the projects through completion within the HMGP performance period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Work Session/Agenda Briefing 7-17-25","oneSentenceSummary","Pinellas County staff told the commission on July 17 that county and municipal applicants have compiled a prioritized, oversubscribed list of mitigation projects after FEMA HMGP allocations tied to hurricanes Helene and Milton.","taxTitle","Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",2867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166779,"County staff unveil Joe's Creek Industrial Park master plan; stormwater and lot size pose key constraints",1281,1604000,2885000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98&start=1604&end=2885","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98/thumbnail_1604000.jpg","/articles/6166779/Pinellas-County/Florida/County-staff-unveil-Joes-Creek-Industrial-Park-master-plan-stormwater-and-lot-size-pose-key-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166779-17072bab558af4caa8be196409fb4e20/orig.mp4?Expires=1775969463&Signature=ns0wPJiyH2m64iIcDk6emvYyRLxvFXuth6IVDylFYkVYqx4sc7JZANsZb4tjm1wNw99aeQyaGGB5keLwU1hX1VUL~gNVwb4~XiayVc4zlnhj4~IcL7U6f9vobY3~-~YwaXInH1NI2v4J4jC-Ga~qpWRMguh7CSCIEJkr0zI7i9gknl1qlnl5eeQcYsMslXe9AJeHIeYQrC0A-7MCmUfACH-20hT6tMxmaw2bZwQ-mHhtYLu~kTbUxyaKPttzfYFEnH~9y5wNfshw4SPC8vGc0LlPibI~8hXu9lJyA68I6kBwuGAuj5m4Jo6RaB9lEPwsrFV-dEC6FvguECXiaDg6og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County planners and consultants presented a draft master plan for Joe's Creek Industrial Park on July 17 that recommends targeted land‑use flexibility while keeping the area's industrial employment base intact.

Amy Davis, community coordinator for the Lowman area and the Lowman CRA, told commissioners the master plan grew from the countywide Target Employment and Industrial Land (TEAL) study and a year-long engagement process with businesses and Forward Pinellas. The plan looks at land use, real estate market demand, utilities and stormwater solutions before any code amendments are proposed.

Kimley‑Horn project manager Jared Snyder and infrastructure lead Nick Vitoritis outlined market findings and constraints. The study area covers about 160 acres with 129 businesses and roughly 1,400 employees; the average building age is about 55 years. The market consultant SP/Freeman found strong short‑term demand for smaller industrial footprints but limited short‑term demand for large office or big‑box industrial that requires large, assembled parcels.

Stormwater and flooding are central challenges. Consultants showed that roughly two‑thirds of properties fall within flood‑hazard areas and that the area was historically wetland. Consultants described incremental options (greenway/stream restoration and trail projects that could shrink flood plain by about 11 acres) and a larger package of capital improvements—upsizing a culvert under 30th Street, adding regional storage and creating a regional stormwater facility—that could reduce flood extent by about 40-plus acres. Consultants also reported privately held bulkheads along Joe's Creek with signs of movement and some cut tie rods; they recommended geophysical testing and easement agreements for full inspection.

Because many parcels are under one acre, consultants recommended development‑standard flexibility to enable small‑lot industrial uses and encouraged tools to support property assembly for larger projects. Utilities capacity (potable water served by the City of St. Petersburg and county wastewater) was judged sufficient overall, though localized modeling and lift‑station analysis would be required before significant new development.

The plan proposes a hybrid zoning map with targeted mixed‑use corridors on parcels that are higher and drier, supporting mixed‑use on neighborhood edges, and retaining smaller employment lots in the heart of the park. Funding options discussed included special assessments, grants and phased capital projects. The plan is scheduled for a formal adoption hearing on Aug. 19; if adopted it will be forwarded to Forward Pinellas and followed by a 12–14 month code update to set detailed development standards.

The presentation emphasized phased infrastructure work—culvert upsizing is already in the county capital plan for FY26—and further site investigations for seawall/bulkhead rehabilitation, regional stormwater sites and utility line upgrades.","A staff-led master plan proposes a hybrid, targeted approach to preserve industrial uses while enabling limited mixed-use changes; stormwater and small lot sizes were highlighted as major redevelopment constraints and infrastructure upgrades were proposed in phases.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166784,"Commissioners begin revising county honorary naming policy; Bayside Bridge renaming proposed",1232,281000,1513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98&start=281&end=1513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98/thumbnail_281000.jpg","/articles/6166784/Pinellas-County/Florida/Commissioners-begin-revising-county-honorary-naming-policy-Bayside-Bridge-renaming-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166784-bf0ee75322afa6b1b2d72e056a6545c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775969463&Signature=VHGrjU10mWV3ME8eRsx7EIpZ~bdA1FPDNjqreM4CiF9nMqew4cTNXhAM-q4QtkPq7QIh2B5T5cizWK0y-hxsEX2GWErObJZIQK~4OrbD4cKpQ4OVk9YOo86NFpRocD1FDcys~zbubgfHRM8ZS9MpzQufMeEQdsEaUG9u89m-DUudgMCMz~b8S1R9OL60zt4bR49b0mN5EyaAFm3Cu9vrd-UOCim07Q~qTxiYrKU15SiXSU6RiSfkJj0gA0hC1AJOOrwxIXCW0-CGJe4WMWOXMwVcfGbKpieFGVERwf58FfOdewjJ855VjTfbmNK0LSaeTs4DdRJ4~IJ0SMju-GXB2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County commissioners on July 17 opened a policy review of the county's honorary naming process and discussed a proposal to rename the Bayside Bridge in honor of two local legal figures.

The board asked staff to update Administrative Directive 9-5, the county's honorary naming directive dating to February 2006, and return with recommended language and an implementation plan. The directive now requires nominees to be deceased for at least five years and uses a naming rights committee and a public meeting before a commission resolution.

The review matters because commissioners said they want clearer criteria, a consistent public process and flexibility for cases where commissioners wish to act. Blaine (staff member) summarized the current policy and said staff compared nine peer counties and found common themes—historical significance, geographic relevance and multilayered administrative review—but mixed practices on time limits and exemptions. “The current honorary naming rights policy dates back to 02/2006, and it's found in administrative directive 9-5,” Blaine said during the presentation.

Commissioner Chris LaPella proposed renaming the Bayside Bridge for Bob Dillinger and Bernie McCabe, citing their long service and work on juvenile and criminal justice issues. Commissioners Flowers and Eggers expressed support and emphasized family permission and preserving a formal policy to avoid ad hoc decisions. Flowers said a shorter waiting period after someone's death—one year rather than five—would be acceptable in some cases if there are family permissions and other safeguards.

Commissioners and staff also discussed using standing advisory bodies for review when appropriate. Barry (County Administrator) noted that some parks and historic‑preservation boards already exist and could serve as naming review committees for certain property types, while a subcommittee or a direct commission action could be used when the commission itself indicates a clear preference.

Next steps: staff will draft policy revisions reflecting the discussion (including recommended timeframes, committee roles and notification procedures) and bring a formal renaming proposal for the Bayside Bridge back to the commission for consideration.

Less critical details: commissioners also asked staff to consider requests to rename other county properties (including a suggestion to recognize the Tocobaga people at Phillippi Park) and to forward any public applications to relevant boards for review before returning with an implementation plan.","Pinellas County commissioners reviewed their 2006 honorary naming policy and discussed a proposal to rename the Bayside Bridge for two late local legal officials. Staff will draft revisions and return with a formal renaming proposal and suggested timeline.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166764,"Economic development staff tighten due‑diligence and contract controls for enterprise site program",272,3295000,3567000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98&start=3295&end=3567","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98/thumbnail_3295000.jpg","/articles/6166764/Pinellas-County/Florida/Economic-development-staff-tighten-duediligence-and-contract-controls-for-enterprise-site-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166764-c73cc48840424c6750aed423e56d5263/orig.mp4?Expires=1775969463&Signature=Li~N9zIlhs--gaqUhWP9XziLwCqDGSehrXKPVO3m3DEukU7-M1OjmpJMGQX2EYY60Z5Ss8ruDJtWvxQ-JGWyqAtTjoQU1WViGeSNh5BYWJaUwT1WwcbapDYNaSv-oOF~6LhLY3kLztqfgBWEUj2vudApa7ecEtO4Uqf5aKbRoNZ5EdDI~XO93Cnu38fkUbCDHlwd6U8VZRPkPrPMt3LmxdIphdSzoiNnItLtahLakdMVPM-bNV8Up-s~Mzm~YPexixs9VpcGEMUA5X~9L22X5GaIeOCQ07SmsO8x4PMH6pPzOtCFkHtIzdwOrVcmp7DrQJ9ZoQ~P1Foq9EH5FOWOCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county's economic development team explained on July 17 that it has changed how it vets applicants for gap‑funding and incentive agreements under the Employment Site Program (ESP), moving third‑party due diligence earlier in the process and retaining county‑attorney review of final contracts.

Cynthia Johnson, economic development, said staff and an outside consultant will perform in‑depth financial and pro‑forma reviews before an application is presented to the board. Under the revised workflow, staff will bring a conditionally recommended applicant before the board, and the county administrator will be delegated authority to finalize contract language and execute agreements with limited, specified authority to accept minor revisions. Contracts remain subject to review by legal counsel.

Johnson said the change is intended to shorten time to market for projects while ensuring more rigorous vetting before board approval. She and commissioners discussed payment milestone structures, clawback provisions and how the county would recover funds if a recipient fails to meet agreed performance obligations. Johnson described standard tools including filing an encumbrance (recorded interest) on property and graduated clawback schedules tied to performance and time on property.

Commissioners pressed for clarity on how job commitments and other economic metrics would be enforced in practice. Commissioner Eggers urged close coordination among staff, the third‑party reviewer and the county administrator so the board sees a thoroughly vetted application before it makes a decision. Commissioner LaPella and others noted that prior ESP agreements lacked sufficient contractual safeguards and supported the tightened front‑end review.

Johnson said the county had not yet invoked clawbacks on prior projects and that annual monitoring, site visits and reporting provisions would be standard contract elements going forward. Staff plans to present ESP applications to the board with the consultant's due‑diligence report attached so commissioners have detailed financial analysis available before conditional approvals.","Staff described a revised process for Employment Site Program (ESP) awards that moves third‑party financial due diligence to the front end and gives county administration delegated authority to execute final contracts after vetting; commissioners asked for safeguards and clarity on clawback mechanisms.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166769,"Sheriff presents FY 2026 budget submission highlighting pay, retirement and health insurance cost pressures",1446,6181000,7627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98&start=6181&end=7627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5414839-a688ed212d4c3c422e0888abc5d38b98/thumbnail_6181000.jpg","/articles/6166769/Pinellas-County/Florida/Sheriff-presents-FY-2026-budget-submission-highlighting-pay-retirement-and-health-insurance-cost-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166769-0837a4df3b10e63dbe094eff5b56945a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775969463&Signature=B0CGHYi00uZvpKdNBVZzTs0JmlnM5-t4lK6mGVUbZjWLMpS7OsvtjdAablH3lG5eWjNT3YM4RQradb2AKiGHo14vroIXp9QSGgvpBkp8STCIz-3y~1161c7PePi6bCTWoosLrl3aOD9B7QR-F0OYZpYRra~RekvYpQAHun1e4orp7mlMO3AfgZQOlkUVOuXKq5GiXex2uZyFVTOtNOsd200R5Ip2EbDijjtwjttzXZUv872Cnymw8WOSt1vmhru5hWFu2Oae7grhcT~VOHBgnPcOcnct8fdx87wwJOSB~ayo-GtcbJ64aHp-eckwm0O4mNMCb0KjOu7ra94lveFlyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinellas County Sheriff on July 17 outlined the sheriff's office FY2026 budget submission and described personnel costs, pension and health‑insurance increases as the major cost drivers.

The sheriff said the department's requested budget totaled about $476 million for FY26, up from $456 million adopted the prior year; the department expects roughly $54 million in non‑general fund revenue (contracts with municipalities, federal inmate housing and other sources) and has sought to increase non‑general revenue to reduce general‑fund pressure.

Primary cost drivers the sheriff cited were planned pay increases to remain market competitive (he described a projected 3% increase for deputies, pending collective‑bargaining), a projected $8 million increase in employer contributions to the Florida Retirement System (FRS) special‑risk rate, and a marked rise in health‑insurance costs (a reported 14% increase versus more typical year‑to‑year changes). The sheriff said total wage increases across sworn and non‑sworn roles were projected at about $12.7 million (roughly $8.5 million sworn, $4.2 million non‑sworn). He also said social‑security increases would add roughly $1.2 million.

The sheriff reported recruitment and staffing improvements since the prior year: the office had reduced deputy vacancies from 126 to about 50 openings through hiring and retention efforts, but asserted that pay must remain competitive to recruit and retain deputies. He characterized the office as relatively lean (1.8 deputies per 1,000 residents) compared with the Florida average reported at 2.4 per 1,000.

To offset general‑fund pressure, the sheriff said the office has pursued higher per‑diem for federal inmates, contract rate increases for municipal contracts (an 8% increase this year) and other non‑general fund revenue sources; a proposed federal inmate per‑diem increase could add about $5 million if agreed by federal partners. The sheriff said many budget line increases are structural (FRS pension rates set by state actuarial calculations) and not under his control.

He also reviewed operational successes: a 54% reduction in Part I (most serious) crime in the sheriff's service area from 2014 to 2024 and continued work on patrol priorities such as speeding enforcement on US‑19. The sheriff said he and county administrative staff reached agreement that the submitted top‑line budget would not increase further while bargaining continues and recommended using non‑recurring revenue for one‑time, non‑recurring costs where appropriate (for example, a year with two Friday holidays increases holiday pay once).

Next steps: the sheriff will continue bargaining with the union on wages and final numbers and will present the formal budget at the countywide budget hearing next week.","Pinellas County Sheriff reported a FY26 budget request of about $476 million, citing market‑competitive pay increases, a large rise in Florida Retirement System special‑risk contributions and unexpected health‑insurance cost growth as principal drivers. Non‑general fund revenues and contract increases offset some pressure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County, cities submit expanded list of mitigation projects after FEMA HMGP allocations for Helene and Milton

County staff unveil Joe's Creek Industrial Park master plan; stormwater and lot size pose key constraints

Commissioners begin revising county honorary naming policy; Bayside Bridge renaming proposed

Economic development staff tighten due‑diligence and contract controls for enterprise site program

Sheriff presents FY 2026 budget submission highlighting pay, retirement and health insurance cost pressures