Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pinellas County adopts $4.9 billion FY26 budget amid debate over arts funding
Summary
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.
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.
