Pinellas County Budget Hearing Thursday

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners will hold two public budget hearings in September.

Both public hearings will be held at 6 p.m., following the 2 p.m. regular meeting.

The first public budget hearing is Thursday, Sept. 6. The second and final public hearing is Sept. 18. The commission also will consider final approval of the budget after that hearing.

The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. 

Throughout the budget process, Pinellas County commissioners have invited the public to share their views, values and vision for the upcoming year and into the future. Outreach included the April 10 community forum, which was an open house and eTownHall, at St. Petersburg College, Seminole campus.

For the convenience of citizens, the commissioners also conducted budget information sessions at Safety Harbor City Hall on May 10 and at St. Petersburg City Hall on May 15.

Budget information sessions were held throughout the process to focus on program areas and to develop detailed strategies to better serve the community. County officials defined core services and prioritized key program areas during strategic direction meetings.

To gauge the community’s view of the county, HCP Associates conducted a statistically valid phone survey from March 23 to April 4. In addition, an unscientific online survey was conducted from April 23 to 27 on the Pinellas County website, www.pinellascounty.org.

The reports and results of the surveys are posted online at www.pinellascounty.org/budget.

The Sept. 6 and 18 public hearings will be held in the fifth-floor assembly room of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St.

The meetings can be viewed live on PCC-TV, on Bright House Channel 622, Knology Channel 18 or Verizon Channel 44. Agendas and corresponding documentation are available online atwww.pinellascounty.org/agendas.htm.