Could Pinellas County soon have a county mayor? Proposal would create new top office
The Brief
Leaders in Pinellas County are considering a proposal that would create a county mayor's office.
The position would replace the county administrator and would be elected instead of appointed.
To make it happen, commissioners would have to agree on a ballot referendum with voters having the final say.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pinellas County commissioners are weighing a proposal to establish a county mayor's office – and while it's not a done deal, a countywide mayor could take office in less than three years.
Leaders discussed the idea during last Thursday's county commission meeting.
Big picture view
If the position is established, the county mayor would replace the county administrator – a position currently held by Barry Burton – and would be elected instead of appointed, with the first election taking place in November 2028.
What they're saying
Commissioner Chris Latvala proposed the change, saying voters should have more of a say in who holds the top job in Pinellas County's government.
"This has nothing to do with Barry's performance," Latvala said. "If you've looked at the two or three reviews I've given him, they're very high. Barry does a wonderful job as our county administrator. And, but I believe philosophically that in a county such as ours, the person that makes the day-to-day decisions should be elected, should be somebody that's accountable to the voters."
Latvala also said the commission should take time and "be deliberative" in weighing the proposal before deciding to take that path.
What's next
In order for the mayor's office to be established for the 2028 general election, five of the county's seven commissioners have to agree to a ballot referendum for 2026. County residents would then vote on the referendum.
For now, commissioners say they're planning to check state statutes and get a clearer idea of how a mayor would affect other officials' duties.
READ: Charter captain arrested following confrontation captured on viral video
Dig deeper
If Pinellas County creates a mayor's office, it would not be the first county in Florida to do so. Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Beach Counties each have an elected mayor.
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The Source
Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Mariah Harrison.
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