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Board reviews formalization of MSTU $20,000 grant program; commissioners debate raising cap to $25,000
Summary
Staff proposed codifying MSTU $20,000 grants for unincorporated Pinellas County, limiting applications to one per project, and setting an Oct–Dec application window; commissioners debated raising the cap to $25,000 and whether to increase the overall budget.
County staff presented proposed policy changes to the MSTU (Municipal Service Taxing Unit) grant program that has provided up to $20,000 per nonprofit project in unincorporated Pinellas County since 2016.
The community coordinator (speaker 14) outlined proposed clarifications: restrict projects to unincorporated Pinellas County, align projects with the county strategic plan, prevent multiple entities from receiving funding for the same project, establish a single quarterly open application period (Oct. 1–Dec. 31) and bring a resolution for formal adoption in January. The program budget was cited at $220,000 for the fiscal year with approximately $336,000 available including reserves.
Commissioners debated whether to increase the per-application cap to $25,000 to account for inflation. Commissioner Shear and Commissioner Nowicki argued for flexibility, while Commissioner Peters advised caution about increasing the overall annual budget. Staff recommended allowing applications per project (rather than one per entity) so different projects at one organization could each apply; commissioners generally endorsed that approach and asked staff to return with the resolution and any requested budget amendments for consideration in January. For this cycle staff suggested an interim application collection through March to give community groups time to apply.
Next steps: staff will bring a resolution in January to codify process changes and will propose the application notice and any required budget amendments; commissioners asked staff to clarify reserves and the timing of any cap changes before final approval.
