Catalyze 2026: Councilmember Mike Harting

We’re asking thought leaders, business people and creatives to talk about the upcoming new year and give us catalyzing ideas for making St. Pete a better place to live. What should our city look like? What are their hopes, their plans, their problem-solving ideas? This is Catalyze 2026.

​The end of 2025 marks the conclusion of Mike Harting’s first year on the St. Petersburg City Council, and the business owner has realized that “municipalities are giant, slow-moving entities.”

​However, technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles and drones have moved from the realm of science fiction to near ubiquity in today’s society.

​Harting wants to explore the role, if any, that technological advancements have in local government. The city could incorporate innovations internally or partner with the private sector.

​“Is there a role for AI in running a municipality?” Harting questioned. “Is there a role for robotics? How does the city involve itself with what’s evolving in both land and air-based drone technology? I think that’s a discussion that should at least start to take place.”

​Harting said he was heartened to see “how well the city operates.” He also called it a “heavily armchair quarterbacked industry.”

​The founder and CEO of 3 Daughters Brewing, one of the state’s largest independent breweries, believes “30 years of being an entrepreneur” is his strongest asset, “especially working with a budget.” He will continue leaning on that experience during his time on the council.

​“The business part of the city operates the same way as my business operates,” Harting said. “Just on a much bigger scale.”

​St. Petersburg has a Department of Technology Services that implements and manages information systems. Harting noted that the city, unlike a “traditional billion-dollar business,” lacks a chief technology officer in the mayor’s cabinet.

​“They are incredibly talented – they are phenomenal people,” Harting stressed. “But technology doesn’t have a seat at the table at the level that the chief of police or the head of public works does.”

​In addition to potentially incorporating AI, robotics and drones into city processes and projects, Harting wants to explore how officials can plan for and support private sector innovations. St. Petersburg is doing just that with its Advanced Air Mobility Task Force.

​The task force launched in January to help ensure St. Petersburg can capitalize on the nascent advanced air mobility industry, which typically utilizes electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) to move people and cargo.

​Companies are also adopting drone and autonomous vehicle delivery services. “But is there any overlaying government policies that we need to look at to be able to allow that, or to govern it in a way that makes it safe?” Harting rhetorically asked.

​“Whose jurisdiction does it come under?” he added. “Do we need to put in any stipulations? Are there any permitting issues? Things like that. It really just starts with discussions.”

​Harting, who represents Shore Acres, the city’s lowest-lying neighborhood, also plans to continue addressing environmental challenges. “Mother nature is doing things differently,” he said.

​The city received historic downpours a few weeks before back-to-back hurricanes in 2024, and Harting said the increasing threat of flooding requires further planning. Officials must also explore creative ways to fund related projects. “That’s definitely a conversation I’m looking forward to.”

​“I’m not in favor of raising water bills to pay for all this,” Harting said of resiliency projects. “That leads to a price structure that never goes away.”

​Voters, via a referendum in 2026, will likely decide whether the mayoral administration issues general obligation bonds to support St. Pete Agile Resiliency (SPAR) initiatives. Harting said he, “at least with what I know so far,” favors that funding mechanism over continuing to increase municipal utility rates.

​Harting said there was “definitely a ramp-up period” after he assumed office. He called it fascinating to see how various departments coalesce into one organization, and said those operate “extremely well.”

​“The level of complexity that we’re capable of is not something that I really envisioned, but it’s pretty incredible,” Harting added.

​He also has an added appreciation for civic associations and residents who engage with officials. Harting stressed the importance of public feedback and encouraged constituents to become more involved with neighborhood organizations in 2026.

​“Those voices matter more in the aggregate of your neighborhood than other input,” he said.