Pinellas commissioners amend tentative FY26 budget and remove Creative Pinellas funding after heated public hearing

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners amended the FY26 tentative budget on Sept. 4 to include a planned $1.7 million drawdown from the county employee health benefits fund, one‑time funding for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project and the discontinuation of a general‑fund allocation for Creative Pinellas. The amendment passed on a 5‑2 vote.

Why it matters: The move touched off a lengthy public hearing dominated by artists, cultural organizations, educators and Creative Pinellas leaders who said the agency’s grants, exhibitions and programs support tourism, school arts programs and small businesses across the county. Commissioners framed the action as a budget reduction and reallocation intended to provide near‑term tax relief and cover one‑time capital needs.

The vote and context: The budget amendment was offered and approved as part of a slate of changes presented at…