Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Largo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
33 issues
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Short-term rental regulation and neighborhood impacts
Residents packed chambers to describe out-of-state LLC investors turning homes into party rentals — noise, parking, safety hazards and even weddings on private easements. The commission passed registration, inspections and advertising rules, plus a chronic nuisance ordinance, but state preemption (SB 180) limits what cities can do, and commissioners want weekend code enforcement.
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.
Ballot Measure Town Hall
Staff laid out what happens if the homestead exemption amendment passes: $15.7 million less property tax, 136 positions cut, two ALS fire units eliminated, library hours halved, rec centers closed. It's a planning scenario, not a decision — but Dwayne Wilson argued the budget is bloated and could absorb cuts instead.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Ceremonial proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, accepted by Largo PD's chief and two victim advocates.
Amendment 3 property tax impact on Largo budget
City Manager John Curp is visiting every advisory board to explain how Amendment 3 could affect city finances if it passes. The city has posted resources at Largo.com/PropertyTax to help residents understand the stakes.
Sunshine Law and ethics training for board members
The city attorney walked newer board members through Florida's open-meetings law, public records rules, and ethics code — including real cases where officials went to jail or cost taxpayers $400,000 in legal fees. Key takeaway: don't discuss board business with fellow members outside public meetings, even by text.
Property Tax Forum
Largo is hosting a public forum about a proposed property tax amendment that could change how much you pay and how the city funds its services. It's a quick chance to get informed before policies shift and your wallet feels the pinch.
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.
201 Highland Avenue Redevelopment
The city's old City Hall and police headquarters site is one step closer to becoming a mixed-use development. Gotham's plan — 367 apartments including 147 affordable, a public park on the pond, and $5.5 million for the land — beat out Stanbury's smaller, cheaper proposal. Commissioners want less density and senior-dedicated affordable units before any deal is signed.
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.
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.
Fee Ordinance 2026-29 — higher recreation fees
Largo is raising fees for recreation programs and facilities to help balance the FY26 budget, with about $400,000 in new revenue expected. The ordinance passed its first reading and needs a second reading before taking effect October 9.
FY 2027 millage rate
The board had to choose between keeping the current 5.52 mill rate or rolling it back. Lower rates would save taxpayers a bit but force up to $1.1 million in additional service cuts. The board kept the rate and asked to reassess after the November election.
Senior trip program reduction
The FAB recommends trimming the senior trip program, which serves only about five residents monthly, after alternatives like quarterly trips or charter buses proved more expensive.
Chronic nuisance ordinance
A new ordinance would let the city declare repeat problem properties — including party houses at short-term rentals — chronic nuisances, requiring corrective action plans and enabling special magistrate enforcement, abatement, or injunctions.
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.
Short-term vacation rental regulation
Staff will bring an ordinance regulating short-term vacation rentals to the August meeting, which would change the development code.
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.
Budget Debate
Board members worried the full budget document is overwhelming for residents. Staff noted the city uses other tools to communicate, and members suggested highlighting accomplishments more.
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.
Traffic increase at East Bay Drive bank redevelopment
Replacing the Midas shop with a bank adds roughly 500 more car trips a day to an already congested corner, and neighbors worry about accidents and cars backing into residential streets. The board weighed this against the applicant's cooperation with staff.
Stormwater and flooding near East Bay Drive
A resident said the neighborhood already floods after the Raising Cane's development and warned more pavement will send more water onto East Bay. Board members asked how flooding would be prevented; staff pointed to the full-scale development review and stormwater engineering checks.
Civic Building Opening
Largo's brand new City Hall is officially opening on Tuesday, bringing all your city services under one roof and giving downtown a major facelift. It's the newest spot to handle your municipal business and check out the revitalized area.