Largo work session: fire chief named to Clearwater post; city wins state planning grant for Pinecrest Golf Course

City officials told the commission that Fire Chief Pittman has been selected as the next fire chief for the City of Clearwater and is expected to depart Largo with an anticipated last date of Aug. 8. Matt Carpenter will serve as acting chief after Pittman's departure while the city begins a search for a permanent replacement.

"He will be dearly missed here," the vice mayor said during the work session, announcing the selection and the intended transition timetable.

The vice mayor also reported that the city secured a state planning grant for Pinecrest Golf Course of "over $900,000," which staff said will fund planning activities and help open business development opportunities on medical-arts corridors that benefit Church Creek and HCA. City staff said they are awaiting detailed grant conditions from Tallahassee before assigning project tasks.

City staff further said a grant request related to Station 40 was approved by the legislature but later vetoed by the governor; staff indicated the project remains a priority and will be pursued again in the next legislative session with support from the city's lobbyist partner, Ballard. Staff said Ballard will meet with the commission in August to review the city's legislative agenda.

Ending: Officials asked the community and business partners to consider sponsorships and other partnerships for department programs; no formal personnel actions or budget approvals took place during the work session.