[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,75,86,96,108],{"_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",5978738,"mediaKeyId","5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef","parentId",5774743,"title","Eastlake Community Library thanks county for insurance coverage, seeks $500,000 construction grant","audioSeconds",180,"startMs",925000,"endMs",1105000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef&start=925&end=1105","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef/thumbnail_925000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978738/Pinellas-County/Florida/Eastlake-Community-Library-thanks-county-for-insurance-coverage-seeks-500000-construction-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978738-e8ed45a617e3d86823266427d96730c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607731&Signature=gDh3eGVqL0s5Uw74damVHvRXZzT0-IqIg-PWeKyKlVrJeMmbNxVHUZplsAYbnCU9epRRGoUajkocTVl3trRw~ZeMlyn4mSLLeYz~rC-aritsmDJmGn9yZyU7FvRoeGPK2MUs9LfC-CuraIYjTxWh8xwNO16oGy2o3O6Tu37CCglXr7GmJEtHg5gk2XAfQrlfBqLD8Tr5xvqEi0ll9OFeVtXvftR3uyQ9PzHliu30bQ8jQ3hF0Yhjk21QqNvxG8LBsgfPyB0zmLlBxou80rsxU8KfIy5ppILFuR47dfb3vhiQEQrLBXAohGNzZfMONp95h7MNwmZeQR3JTh-Zx~-ZKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County, FL ","date","2025-09-18T23:44:58Z","article","Representatives of the Eastlake Community Library addressed the county commission Sept. 18 to thank the board for a county decision to provide property insurance for four Palm Harbor Community Services Agency facilities and to announce a pending state construction grant application.

What the speakers said: Lois E. Nell, director of Eastlake Community Library, told the board that the county’s decision to assume property insurance for the four entities—county‑owned buildings on county property but operated by the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency—will save the library “close to $20,000 a year.” Nell said the savings allowed the library to invest in electronic resources and merit pay for staff. Ann Marie Nurnberger, assistant director, said the library is applying for a state public library construction grant of $500,000 in a short window and asked commissioners for support when a grant item appears on a future docket.

County assistance and next steps: Staff identified Chris Rose, BJ Gavin and OMD staff as working with the library on the fast‑tracked application; county staff said a proclamation and future agenda item will seek formal board support for the grant request and that construction is expected to begin in October if funding is secured.

Why it matters: The county’s assumption of property insurance for small, county‑owned library properties shifts operating dollars away from insuring county buildings and into library services, county staff said. If the state construction grant is awarded, the library expects to expand services in North Pinellas.

Votes and actions: No formal board action was required at the hearing; library representatives will return to the board with a grant request and proclamation on a future agenda.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners 2 p.m. Regular Meeting & 6 p.m. Public Hearing 9-18-25","oneSentenceSummary","Eastlake Community Library officials thanked the county for taking over property insurance for four Palm Harbor Community Services Agency entities—saving the library about $20,000 annually—and said they will apply for a $500,000 state public library construction grant to expand the facility.","taxTitle","Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",2867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978745,"Pinellas County waives doubled permit fees for storm repairs through Dec. 31 to speed compliance",0,1975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef&start=1975&end=1975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/5978745/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-waives-doubled-permit-fees-for-storm-repairs-through-Dec-31-to-speed-compliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978745-a1bd8088498bd81f0b9d22b00cca12b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607731&Signature=czfYIrJ9AH~pyBWXazEXEfDL8zrU1BJFemlljwE7hkHlNsktRakQu6ccuNj~7E5MzQTy1LpTYIryEgpERWne4~6W~VJC3dWYg5Q1poJ2XXcE9oRFAjuXR6rOTpwVwjJk7nylNyNPttPUpA8-UqA8wCqo-QKJd2Uq8YifHhB98WWpVhYMx6RbLMileFyjQhWljlvDhI75b~wCGFQ2QHN4eCpFF3GcECbQB2gsYanIo2JUqGLjk814aqpjraPDOKKcg6cdz5DUNzahRZs6VOw2sE6FvamVI6x0rdNlGBNC7ypyXK8IxcoJO3BnliQn6nxUr~Zsnq5ixAGgtF29-dNHIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinellas County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 18 waiving doubled building‑permit and floodplain fees for storm reconstruction and repair through Dec. 31, 2025. The waiver allows residents who made unpermitted repairs after the storm to pull a regular permit at the normal fee and bring work into compliance without paying doubled fees.

Why it matters: Staff said the fee waiver is aimed at increasing permitting compliance, protecting floodplain certification required by FEMA and maximizing residents’ eligibility for federal recovery aid and flood‑insurance discounts.

Implementation and outreach: Kevin McCandrew, director of Building and Development Review Services, told commissioners the county plans to send an educational letter to approximately 2,300 property owners identified as likely to have sustained inundation damage. Staff described a “permit support hub” and an intention to review and issue some permits on the spot if possible. Inspections remain required; McCandrew said the county will accept a letter from a professional engineer certifying work in some cases to avoid destructive re‑opening of walls.

Exceptions and timeframe: Commissioners noted the waiver expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Staff emphasized that work performed without permits remains subject to the Florida Building Code, and that the program is intended to balance safety and practical recovery needs.

Votes and next steps: The motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously. Staff said communications will include a press release and website postings to encourage residents to come forward and secure permits while the waiver is in effect.","Commissioners approved a temporary waiver of doubled building and floodplain fees for storm repairs so homeowners can obtain standard permits and remain eligible for insurance and federal help; staff will mail notices to affected property owners.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":78,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_47":90,"_49":91,"_51":92,"_53":93,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":94,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":95,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978751,"Pinellas County tightens noise ordinance to target transient party noise, streamlines enforcement",12025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef&start=12025&end=12025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef/thumbnail_12025000.jpg","/articles/5978751/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-tightens-noise-ordinance-to-target-transient-party-noise-streamlines-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978751-a19939072e4ebaf41dceb5af8b5b6b2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607731&Signature=AEzFkqWLzwcu5w6U-~gnGngThAIW~MZW9GiJ5sqNEpijAdv8aG6HzBNZonLdmEgzO0TglK4gL6RlmXblqJnrMWQ8JHfo7vFacdhawWmNjEc4G~JCEjS3WifLZbDyksGljKYCVE4rXjzD91vfkbKFNE5xBPsSndGMDccbA96bUhiimWJ6pIO85U3PUl1EF4BLBBIS5hka1GenD46f6NbFJxjc5rbczsIZ6wpn9jwHO4ps1i2xGC00BsDHIOtByX2EdRSaveQZ7GP~zlLYqfcZa9LrxMtO5uMYzk5S8GMH9XHRWPhhhxIZ9zp34jfAYUzpBXUpdJ13RV0H0M1P5owgTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinellas County commissioners unanimously approved revisions to the county noise ordinance (Article 12, Chapter 58) after a public hearing and staff briefing Sept. 18. The update adds explicit language aimed at “itinerant” and “transient” noise, clarifies loud‑and‑raucous definitions and reduces certain affidavit requirements to allow more flexible enforcement.

What changed and why: County staff said the ordinance had not been substantially updated since 2003 and did not reflect the rise of short‑term rental (STR) complaints. Under the amendment, loud or raucous noise produced by large, temporary gatherings (described by staff as “yelling, screaming, shouting, and other noises consistent with parties or large gatherings”) can be treated as itinerant/transient noise. The ordinance reduces the prior requirement for two separate witness affidavits to a single complainant affidavit in many enforcement pathways, which staff said will let deputies and code officers act more quickly when evidence exists.

Enforcement workflow: Jude Reason, code enforcement division manager and county housing official, described the practical steps: a resident calls a short‑term‑rental hotline or 911, deputies respond and may ask to have the noise reduced; deputies can issue citations on scene when appropriate; code enforcement can accept the sheriff’s report and a complainant affidavit to pursue an owner before the county’s special magistrate. Reason said the county will also encourage complainants to submit recordings, video or other documentary evidence to support violations.

Construction, exceptions and officer discretion: The revised text clarifies that construction work between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Monday–Saturday and all day Sunday will be treated as loud and raucous unless it is “urgent necessity in the interest of public health or safety or permitted by the housing official.” Commissioners asked staff to make clear that emergency repairs and health/safety work can be treated as exceptions; staff confirmed officers retain field discretion to evaluate circumstances.

Public comments and concerns: Several residents testified about repeated loud parties at short‑term rentals and frustration with slow enforcement; one resident described a string of multi‑hour disturbances that deputies did not resolve to her satisfaction. Commissioners and staff said they would work with the sheriff’s office and community policing units to train deputies and provide clearer guidance about quiet hours, affidavit use and documenting evidence.

Next steps: Staff said they will publicize the ordinance changes and coordinate training for deputies and code officers. Staff also said they will monitor enforcement outcomes and return to the board if further changes are needed.","The board adopted changes to Article 12, Chapter 58 (noise ordinance) to add definitions for itinerant/transient noise, simplify complaint affidavits, and give deputies and county code officers clearer authority to cite noisy short‑term rentals and adjacent properties.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978756,"Pinellas County adopts $4.9 billion FY26 budget amid debate over arts funding",669,8797000,9466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef&start=8797&end=9466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef/thumbnail_8797000.jpg","/articles/5978756/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-adopts-49-billion-FY26-budget-amid-debate-over-arts-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978756-aa7bb6903491b28634854714a1544224/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607731&Signature=gpsH3ewIpTX4ZA2cnk-wNVVCzrYhI7XYcy7OqsQQZd~z6h7-fYSu8O-q8HQpXKos1mnWx7rJCWHtADmqRpuA1K9QxXYZVQd-kTvy59gktmoA2zhIBb5p5KVIrv0mdmqbjuNN-GWlUe~bhqOjLo33pV9Iw-fMtJrhLxqs2GhZb1tu6tgJhaEZI4sRh1yzAJEV-ofQBaEubooBd4nc88mtI-J4k7yT3spx~Y5cxSuew8zYsrBF~68wX~5b20VHeyCGDz~qQ2dqIzi7Kp0i9L5heXS1mZY6lyYUSByi75pMtj6UzVmPDgW9h41Ufm7oDwzEywIDazyFNfdZZ0eRF8-3~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners adopted the FY26 final budget on Sept. 18 after a formal public hearing and a series of votes on millage rates and dependent special district budgets. The county’s total FY26 budget as presented at the hearing was approximately $4.9 billion.

Why it matters: Adoption sets tax levies and spending priorities that fund services ranging from emergency medical services to libraries and storm recovery. The budget drew public comment both from residents concerned about property tax and cost pressures and from members of the arts community urging restoration of funding for Creative Pinellas.

Public comment and arts funding controversy: Several residents and arts leaders addressed the board during the hearing. Doreen Moore, a former Creative Pinellas board member and liaison between the Tourist Development Council and Creative Pinellas, thanked commissioners for previous support and asked for future cooperation. Artist and resident Mitzi Gordon called the recent defunding of Creative Pinellas “an embarrassment” and urged commissioners to reconsider the decision. In a separate comment, a resident urged commissioners to “vote no on the budget,” citing rising property taxes and calls to reduce spending.

Board discussion and votes: County staff and the clerk opened the required public hearings under Florida statutes chapters 125, 129 and 200 and noted that the board’s proposed levies represent a 2.24 percent increase over the aggregate rollback rate the county published. Commissioners recorded motions on separate elements of the budget and millage table, then adopted the final millage rates and budgets for county‑wide funds and dependent districts. The board also adopted a final resolution that memorializes the FY26 countywide budget and makes it available on the county website.

Responses to cost and compensation concerns: Public speakers raised concerns about executive pay and general budget growth. Several commissioners and staff responded during the meeting. Commissioner Renee Flowers noted the salary-setting history for the county administrator and compared compensation in large Florida counties; staff and the clerk noted the budget process and the county’s intention to continue fall work sessions to explore efficiencies and specific program budgets.

Implementation and oversight: Commissioners asked staff to provide regular updates on priority expenditures and to begin earlier, deeper reviews of line items during the next budget cycle. The county administrator said staff would distribute a proposed fall work program and meet with commissioners to refine priorities for next year.","Commissioners adopted the county's FY26 budget after public hearings. The decision followed public criticism of recent cuts to Creative Pinellas and broader debate about taxes, spending and administrative pay.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978761,"Pinellas County approves Horn LLP contract to run $813 million disaster-recovery program",327,2523000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef&start=2523&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5774743-1f7d421e903854923cc450aa135d05ef/thumbnail_2523000.jpg","/articles/5978761/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-approves-Horn-LLP-contract-to-run-813-million-disaster-recovery-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978761-1da85b47f7c51dff42826d65161b4676/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607731&Signature=kh7how7Ac6eLrxJ8gd8wT~8eMiaCVkDT9sNY76RPDCJDojEjFQxu3KUuTCv2aInLM6hmueTEolDRtb~XsiPg-ZqNAyCAlTZXkRVY9EZjp6THPVjTRcor8rQC-yaWGcUuEvvhoqTa6e~5zxkbcwgpFOUha89oQtGKahZ70BIEmuA1xTU3myiTvejLS32yv429qXQgZFR5mwuX6RGcIqwIJNBwY4ZVkg5S8-CJe-Mrdb5UlmMxOP2v0-sWMleUg8INkrJqgAoE3-ZSWhjArvLztmmWU~tLFmVKLNpoKwWLNVv3pmYDRuxPBBbApDPNM93tWTPHSszkG8cxhls1d87Z4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted 5–1 on Sept. 18 to award an implementation contract to Horn LLP to manage housing and other programs funded by an $813 million CDBG–Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) grant from HUD.

Why it matters: The contract centralizes delivery of housing repairs, reimbursements and rental assistance intended to get federal recovery dollars quickly into residents' hands while county staff say they will retain oversight to guard compliance with federal rules.

Assistant County Administrator Matt Spoor told commissioners the county submitted its action plan in late May and received HUD approval June 30, then the grant agreement on July 30. “We ran a thorough and competitive procurement,” Spoor said in introducing the contract, and he described the county’s strategy to limit local administrative overhead so more funding goes to residents. The county capped its own administrative reimbursement at 3 percent (the action plan decision), Spoor said, and the vendor’s activity‑delivery costs are budgeted as a “not to exceed” amount equal to roughly 10.4 percent of the contract the county will sign.

Contract structure and scale: The contract before the board is a not‑to‑exceed agreement totaling $565,000,000, of which approximately $478,000,000 (about 85 percent) is beneficiary pass‑through funds for applicants and contractors; the vendor implementation and management budget lines together are listed at $86,800,000. Spoor said the county is staging an initial set of “people‑first” programs—homeowner rehab and reconstruction, homeowner repair reimbursement, homeowner assistance, small landlord rehabilitation and disaster relief payments—with public applications targeted to begin in October.

Implementation and staffing: Spoor and Kevin McCandrew, director of Building and Development Review Services, said the county will hire about five full‑time, grant‑funded staff to manage oversight while the contractor runs intake centers, call centers, inspections and construction management. Spoor said Horn had already been staging operations at risk, hiring case managers and preparing intake centers so the program could move quickly once approved.

Oversight and safeguards: Commissioners pressed for clarity about procurement, subcontracting and past vendor performance. County staff and the clerk’s office said federal rules (2 CFR 200 series) govern procurement and bonding for construction subcontractors and that the county contract incorporates those requirements. Spoor noted the contract includes specific controls about related‑party subcontracting and federal procurement rules, and he said the county retains contract oversight and the ability to cancel for convenience.

Questions from commissioners focused on: why the county is limiting its administrative reimbursement to 3 percent rather than the 5 percent HUD allows; how many county FTEs are required (the county plans five); whether Horn or any affiliated firm will self‑subcontract for construction work (staff said Horn is not a general contractor and does not own construction firms); and contingency options if performance problems emerge. Ken Burke, the clerk, reviewed procurement follow‑up and said the county would audit as required based on performance or triggers, not merely name changes.

Vendor controls and system reliability: Commissioners asked about Horn’s case‑management platform (Canopy). Horn’s technical representative, Jenna Abbey, told the board the firm addressed a prior qualified audit opinion by adding ticketed QA controls (Jira) and now offers the county access to a test environment for evaluation before any change goes to production.

Votes and next steps: The board approved the contract after debate. Commissioners and staff said the county will return to the board with program policy guidelines in early October and launch the first public programs later that month. Spoor said the county would provide regular updates on implementation metrics, including dollars out the door and participant counts.","The Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with Horn LLP to implement the county's $813 million Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program. Commissioners and staff emphasized speed and oversight; some members pressed for extra safeguards after procurement concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eastlake Community Library thanks county for insurance coverage, seeks $500,000 construction grant

Pinellas County waives doubled permit fees for storm repairs through Dec. 31 to speed compliance

Pinellas County tightens noise ordinance to target transient party noise, streamlines enforcement

Pinellas County adopts $4.9 billion FY26 budget amid debate over arts funding

Pinellas County approves Horn LLP contract to run $813 million disaster-recovery program