Thrive
Should Pinellas have a countywide mayor?
Pinellas County, the first in Florida to adopt a commission-administrator form of government, could have its first elected mayor in three years.
At a strategic planning session Thursday, county commissioners agreed to reassess the current governing system. Voters – should the bold idea move forward – would likely decide the fate of a countywide mayor’s office in 2026.
Commissioner Chris Latvala proposed the sweeping change, and County Administrator Barry Burton is already preparing a white paper for exploratory discussions. The detailed and research-based report will highlight governing systems allowable under state statutes and those employed by peers.
“I believe, philosophically, that in a county such as ours, the person who makes the day-to-day decisions should be elected,” Latvala said. “It should be somebody that is accountable to the voters.”
Latvala said Thursday’s work session marked the first time Pinellas officials have discussed restructuring the local government in a televised setting. He stressed that it “has nothing to do with” Burton’s performance.
Burton became county administrator in 2018 and guided Pinellas through the pandemic, exponential growth and multiple hurricanes. He also negotiated a $1.3 billion stadium deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
While Latvala vocally opposed those since-terminated agreements, he said Burton, who oversees over 1,900 employees, “does a wonderful job.” He, half-jokingly, said the county administrator is no longer a “spring chicken” and will retire “at some point.”
Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton (left) and David Abrams, lead consultant for Inner Circle Sports, discuss plans to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in July 2024. Screengrab.
A county mayor would essentially replace the administrator in many instances. The position would also siphon some individual influence from commissioners. “But I don’t think that’s necessarily what we should worry about,” Latvala added.
He noted the administrator becomes the “most important person in the county” during a state of emergency. The mayor’s cabinet and staff would offer advice and complete daily tasks. Latvala said Pinellas would not have a politician who handles “whatever issues pop up by themselves.”
“I agree with what the majority of my colleagues are saying about having a discussion,” said Commissioner Vince Nowicki. “I think there would have to be very good checks and balances if the voters and this commission decide to go down that path.”
In Florida, Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Beach Counties employ elected “strong” mayors. That person also serves as chief executive officer and chairs the commission in the former two counties.
Miami-Dade is home to 2.84 million people. Orange (1.53 million) and Palm Beach (1.56 million) are also significantly larger than Pinellas (965,870).
However, a countywide mayor would still significantly impact nearly a million residents, 24 municipalities and several million annual visitors. Commission Chair Brian Scott said the board should discuss “what problem we’re solving.”
He also said the board should receive a history lesson on the current form of government. In 1964, residents approved a ballot referendum that created Florida’s first commission-administrator county government.
Pinellas County government was established in 1912.
Voters adopted the Pinellas County Home Rule Charter in 1980. While that restricted legislative control over local policies, state preemption has since whittled away at associated protections.
The commission expanded from five to seven commissioners in 2000. Residents could soon decide on another momentous change.
Five commissioners must agree to a ballot referendum in 2026. Residents, if approved, would choose their first countywide mayor in the 2028 general election.
Burton, who has participated in several forms of government throughout his career, said he does plan to retire sooner rather than later, and can offer objective advice. He welcomed those conversations and said elected officials and voters should decide the county’s future governance: “That’s democracy 101.”
Commissioner Dave Eggers stressed the importance of collaboratively exploring the measure. “This is a big issue,” he said.
“As long as we’re open-minded to all of it, I think it’s a good process to go through.”
Dorine
May 1, 2025at2:29 pm
I need to know more. Specifically will the new County Mayor be subject to the same term limits restrictions as the County Commissioners or will they not have term limits like the Constitutional Officers (Sheriff, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections? Will it be a non-partisan election like the municipal elections or will it be partisan like the US and Florida legislators, County Commissioners and Constitutionals? We need to know exactly what we can expect and are voting for.
Ryan Todd
April 7, 2025at5:04 pm
Government is the problem with storm recovery. Adding another layer of governance when only make recovery more difficult for property owners.
Jazz
April 7, 2025at5:47 am
The County’s Charter Review Committee didn’t even endorse this .it’s a terrible idea, don’t fix what isn’t broken. issue some permits, fix the beaches, and reduce our taxes.
S. Rose Smith-Hayes
April 6, 2025at6:05 pm
Please ‘trash’ that idea and never ever bring it up again. Why is it that people always want someone else to tell them what to do??We have more than enough leaders.
Steve D
April 6, 2025at9:14 am
Having lived in consolidated government counties with mayors, I am a definite yes! Especially during emergencies like the recent hurricanes, there needs to be a focal point of leadership and responsibility. Nothing demonstrates that more than the post-hurricane drama that continues in the beach communities today.
Michael Bourne
April 6, 2025at8:38 am
Please no. Leave the politics out of that position. This system has been working great, this coming from a third generation Pinellas County resident. Mayor down structures tend to have more possible issues with corruption and such….
steve joseph
April 6, 2025at8:10 am
Hell no , Just say no to more government !!!!!!!!!!
Dwayne Dalton
April 6, 2025at5:11 am
Sure we need another politician to vote in and pay, whoever thought of that should have to stand in the corner – for a week!
John Donovan
April 5, 2025at8:29 pm
I have zero interest in this. I vote.
Jim Everett
April 5, 2025at7:20 pm
The county administrator currently makes $311,759 a year. I believe that position would no longer be needed under a mayoral form of government.
Ralph
April 5, 2025at3:58 pm
Surely this position isn’t needed because Commissioner Latvala, et. al are now subject to term limits?
james gillespie
April 5, 2025at3:37 pm
I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO PAY OR VOTE FOR ANOTHER LOCAL POLITICIAN’ A COUNTY MAYOR WOULD GARNER A 6 FIGURE SALARY.