Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Largo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues
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.
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.
Commissioner responses to citizens' comments
Vice Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Smith want the commission to be able to respond to residents at the end of meetings instead of only listening silently; the mayor noted concerns about usurping public comment time.
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.
Florida Building Code ninth edition adoption
The city must adopt the 2026 (ninth edition) Florida Building Code, effective statewide December 31, 2026, to keep Largo building to the most current safety and resilience standards.
New Haven Canal One flooding and maintenance
The chronic flooding on 101st Street in Almerton may finally be solved. Mayor Brown spotted a gate that had been wrongly closed over a drainage pipe; once FDOT reopened it, water started flowing much better and the temporary hoses can come down.
2026 Affordable Housing incentive strategies
The city's housing committee recommends making ADUs cheaper to build by trimming utility impact fees and making second trash service optional, repealing the one-sidewalk allowance for affordable housing, and finding new ways to support senior housing. These choices shape how and where affordable housing gets built in Largo.
Floodplain Management Strategic Plan and insurance discounts
Largo's new floodplain manager laid out a plan to modernize flood management and push the city's FEMA Community Rating System score to Class 4 within three years — which would mean bigger flood insurance discounts for policyholders. Updating watershed master plans with the county and Clearwater is the big hurdle.
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.