County approves property tax rate decrease in first budget vote
September 14, 2026 - The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Sept. 10 approved the tentative Fiscal Year 2027 Budget during its first vote and public hearing. According to a prepared statement, the commissioners kept "local funding for Weedon Island and Shell Key preserves" and reduced "the countywide property tax rate for the fifth time in six years." The Commission will host a second public hearing Sept. 24 "to adopt the final tax rates and budget." The new fiscal year will begin Oct. 1. For more information, visit this link.