Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Largo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues with medium priority
Small business struggles north of Rosary Road
A property owner said redevelopment money promised for the area north of Rosary never materialized after a county TIF rejection, and tenants are drowning in red tape trying to open businesses. The mayor asked economic development staff to reach out to her.
Stormwater grant program for private drainage infrastructure
Commissioner DiBrizzi proposed using a slice of stormwater funds to match residents' spending on maintaining private drainage systems — much of the city's stormwater infrastructure sits on private property and owners may lack the resources to maintain it. Staff will study the idea and report back.
McGough Nature Park boardwalk replacement
The state delivered $560,000 for phase two of rebuilding the aging boardwalk at McGough (Turtle) Park, which serves 182,000 visitors a year and hosts the city's birds of prey program.
Dengue fever risk in the Tampa Bay region
A Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council briefing flagged about 20 dengue cases in Pinellas County. Residents are urged to dump standing water and use mosquito dunks, since the mosquito that carries dengue lives where people do.
Countywide data center policy via Forward Pinellas
Largo's code doesn't define or classify data centers, so the board wants the commission's policy intent before any application arrives. Staff is coordinating with Forward Pinellas on countywide rules, and jobs (25–200, high-paying) versus power-grid impacts are the open questions.
Rodent infestation at Paradise Island
A resident of the 830-home 55-plus community said rats infest the neighborhood and the co-op board won't act, and asked the city for help; commissioners directed staff to connect her with the health department.
Development Fee Schedule Update
Planning and housing fees haven't been touched since 2014 — now the city wants to raise them to cover about half to three-quarters of what services actually cost, adding roughly $100,000 a year. There's also a new penalty for chopping down city trees without permission: $75 per inch of trunk, up to $10,000.
Tri-County MPO Merger
The Florida legislature has asked the Tampa Bay region's three transportation planning agencies to explore merging into one. Largo would keep its own seat on a 25-member merged board, but Commissioner Holmes questioned whether bigger government really means better outcomes. A decision could come as soon as this fall.
Largo Golf Course improvements and youth golf growth
The golf course is getting a new roof, renovated snack area, and new PA system. Youth on Course brought roughly 300 young golfers this summer, up from 89 last year, and the Footgolf program celebrates 13 years on September 5.
15% Stormwater Rate Increase
A 15% stormwater rate hike adds $2.66 to the typical monthly bill, funding a 20-year repair backlog and rising maintenance costs. A split 7.5% two-year option was considered but would bring in less money.
Medical Office for Pediatric Autism Therapy (Success on the Spectrum)
A new outpatient ABA therapy center for children with autism will open in the ICOT Center office park, adding a healthcare resource for Largo and Clearwater families near the growing county administration campus.
Recreation, Parks and Arts fee increases
RPA fees go up about $5 per item on average — memberships rise from $20 to $25 for residents — raising roughly $484,000. Full cost recovery would require about $120 per item, which the board balked at, though members raised affordability concerns for seniors and fixed-income residents.