Forward Pinellas approves consent agenda, a planning request and FY‑26 budget

Forward Pinellas approved routine business and its fiscal 2026 budget during its July 9 meeting in St. Petersburg, along with a public‑hearing planning item after staff presentation and without public speakers.

The board voted to adopt the consent agenda by voice vote. Later in the meeting members voted to approve a planning request that was the subject of a public hearing and, by a separate vote, approved a fiscal year 2026 Planning Council budget that reduces the agency millage to 0.0175 mills and carries planned reserve lines for contingency and potential regional start‑up costs.

Why it matters: The budget vote sets Forward Pinellas’ recommended millage and spending priorities for submission to the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners, which will hold its own public hearings in September. The planning‑item approval advances a countywide land‑use request that was presented to the board and had no proponents or opponents signed up at the hearing.

Key details - Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote after no members requested items be pulled for separate consideration. - Public hearing item: After staff confirmed no public comments had been filed and recommended approval, a member moved to approve the request and the board voted to carry the motion. The transcript records the motion being moved by Commissioner Dave Eggers; a second was recorded but not named in the transcript. The board approved the request by voice vote. - FY‑26 budget: The board approved a recommended FY‑26 Planning Council budget and the 0.0175 millage rate for transmittal to county staff; the budget reduces the agency millage for a second consecutive year and carries contingency and reserve lines intended for statutory contingencies and any regional start‑up funds that may be needed. Rodney Chapman, division manager, presented budget highlights prior to the vote.

What the budget includes: Forward Pinellas officials said the FY‑26 draft budgets funds continued work on the county multimodal impact fee update, support for local implementation of recommendations from the Housing Regulatory Toolkit, funding for planning assistance to up to two local governments, matching funds for a federal safety grant and allowances for potential regional MPO start‑up costs. The board was told county budget staff have built a 3% salary adjustment into the agency budget.

Next steps: Forward Pinellas will transmit its recommended budget and millage tables to the county, which is scheduled to consider the agency’s budget at two public hearings in September.