Bay Space county may set up countywide mayor
Leaders in Pinellas County are contemplating a proposal that will create a county mayor’s workplace, however the thought nonetheless has a protracted method to go earlier than turning into official. FOX 13’s Mariah Harrison stories.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Pinellas County commissioners are weighing a proposal to ascertain a county mayor’s workplace – and whereas it is not a carried out deal, a countywide mayor may take workplace in lower than three years.
Leaders mentioned the thought throughout final Thursday’s county fee assembly.
Picture courtesy: Pinellas County Authorities.
How would a county mayor change its authorities?
Massive image view:
If the place is established, the county mayor would change the county administrator – a place at present held by Barry Burton – and can be elected as a substitute of appointed, with the primary election going down in November 2028.
What they’re saying:
Commissioner Chris Latvala proposed the change, saying voters ought to have extra of a say in who holds the highest job in Pinellas County’s authorities.
“This has nothing to do with Barry’s efficiency,” Latvala stated. “When you’ve seemed on the two or three critiques I’ve given him, they’re very excessive. Barry does a beautiful job as our county administrator. And, however I imagine philosophically that in a county resembling ours, the individual that makes the day-to-day selections needs to be elected, needs to be anyone that is accountable to the voters.”
Pictured: Pinellas County Commissioner Chris Latvala speaks at a county fee assembly on April 3, 2025. (Courtesy: Pinellas County Authorities.)
Latvala additionally stated the fee ought to take time and “be deliberative” in weighing the proposal earlier than deciding to take that path.
What’s subsequent:
To ensure that the mayor’s workplace to be established for the 2028 common election, 5 of the county’s seven commissioners should comply with a poll referendum for 2026. County residents would then vote on the referendum.
For now, commissioners say they’re planning to verify state statutes and get a clearer thought of how a mayor would have an effect on different officers’ duties.
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Dig deeper:
If Pinellas County creates a mayor’s workplace, it might not be the primary county in Florida to take action. Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Seashore Counties every have an elected mayor.
The Supply: Data for this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Mariah Harrison.
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