Welcome to LARGO TODAY, News from the City Manager. You can find a copy of this edition and previous eNews at Largo.com/LargoToday. Stay up-to-date on the superior services Largo offers residents, businesses, and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."

-Maggie Paluch, Acting City Manager

FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET ANNOUNCEMENT

On Monday, September 18, 2023, the Largo City Commission formally adopted an annual operating budget and property tax rate, maintaining the current tax rate at $5.5200 per $1,000 of assessed value. This tax rate helped stabilize emergency reserves while making progress toward key strategic initiatives, including:

• $800,000 toward community sustainability and resilience improvements
• $19M on facility and roadway repair and maintenance
• $500,000 on Additional Public Safety Staffing
• $2.5M on Downtown Infrastructure and Placemaking Improvements



Monday’s final approval concludes the budgeting process for the City’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023. To learn more and view budget information, visit Largo.com/Budget.

SHELBY BEAUCHEMIN APPOINTED

UTILITIES DIRECTOR

The City is proud to announce significant changes to the leadership in Environmental Services and the Public Works Departments. In order to build better alignment and consistency of services, City Administration identified an opportunity to combine the Public Works Director with the Environmental Services Director roles into one Utilities Director. It is important to note that each department will preserve its name, identity, locations, and team members. This change aims to gain efficiencies city-wide by operating under one Director.  

Shelby Beauchemin has been appointed the Utilities Director. Shelby has been with the City for four years as the Environmental Services Director and Assistant Director. Before joining Team Largo, she spent 11 years in civil engineering consulting. Shelby will be responsible for setting the vision and strategic direction for both Environmental Service and Public Works. She will also continue to serve on the City’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT).  

Director Beauchemin will be supported by Bill Brown, the current Assistant Director of Environmental Services. Bill has been with the Department for 20 years and is committed to ensuring operations are efficient, effective, and safe. She will also be supported with two new Assistant Public Works Directors. Internal candidate, Billy Ingrim, has accepted one of the Assistant Directors positions and the other position is currently in the interview process stage of recruitment. Billy has been with the Public Works Department since 2020 as the Streets & Stormwater Manager and Interim Solid Waste Manager. Prior to coming to the City of Largo Billy was the Director of Public Works for the City of Etowah. 

Team members in both Departments can look forward to continued support for operations and consistent leadership. 

SOUTHWEST POOL CONSTRUCTION SET TO START EARLY 2024

Planning for the Southwest Pool renovations continues as City Team Members work to balance the facility needs with the current budget. The project is currently in the design phase and renovations are planned to include resurfacing, repairs to the dive tower, and more. It is currently anticipated construction will begin in early 2024 and may last up to a year depending on the contractor’s timeline. The Southwest Pool will be closed during construction for lap swimming, aquatic programming, and competitive team practices. Limited aquatic programming, including lap swimming, will be held at the Highland Family Aquatic Center where Heaters have been added to this facility for this purpose. Highland Family Aquatic Center is located at 400 Highland Ave. Updates and hours of operation will be updated on LargoPools.com. Patrons can call 727-18-3126 with questions.  

HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL COLLECTION EVENT

The City of Largo is joining Pinellas County Solid Waste in holding an upcoming Household Chemical Collection event on Saturday, September 30, at Starkey Road Recycling Center (1551 Starkey Road) from 9am-2pm. A household chemical collection event is an easy and convenient way for residents to discard unwanted chemicals. Residents are encouraged to bring hazardous items, household chemicals such as adhesives, aerosols and cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, thermometers or thermostats containing mercury, paint products, pool and spa products, and batteries. For detailed information about accepted items, quantity limits, and event hours and locations, visit PinellasCounty.org or call 727-464-7500.

RECREATION, PARKS, AND ARTS HOSTING SURVEY

The mission of Largo’s Recreation, Parks, and Arts Department is to provide programs and facilities that are enriching and inspire community pride. During the month of September, the department is hosting a public survey to learn more about the community’s perspective on the current use and satisfaction of recreation services in Largo. Resident feedback will help identify new opportunities and the community’s needs and interests to inform future programming and funding priorities. As a bonus, survey participants will be entered to win Apple AirPods. The survey will be open until September 30 and can be found by visiting PlayLargo.com/Survey. Please take a few minutes of your time to help inform future recreation services that will help build the Largo community.

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

The City of Largo is proud to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15. Join us as we shine a spotlight on the rich and diverse culture of the Hispanic and Latino/a/x community represented by nearly 13 percent of Largo residents.

This month is an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate! Visit Largo.com to learn more.

ADVANTAGE PINELLAS PARTICIPATION CHALLENGE

Join the participation challenge and share your thoughts about transportation for Pinellas County. The Advantage Pinellas Participation Challenge is an interactive platform where Pinellas County residents can share what they need and want for future transportation projects. You can earn tickets to win prizes by sharing feedback, such as a $100 gift card. The goal is to gain insights about transportation needs to develop The Advantage Pinellas 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan for Pinellas County, a strategic plan that identifies and prioritizes transportation projects for state and federal funding

SEPTEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS RECAPS

AZALEA SHORES TOWNHOMES REVISED SITE PLAN APPROVAL

On September 19, 2023, the City issued an Amended Development Order (DO) to authorize the development of the property located at 12654 Ulmerton Road. The property is located on the east side of Ulmerton Road and North of Walsingham Road. The property is developing from a vacant parcel of land to a single family attached townhome subdivision. The DO allows for the construction of 58 single- family attached townhomes, installing landscaping, signage, and completing related infrastructure improvements.

ROAD CLOSURE UPDATES

DATSKO PARK CLOSURE NOTICE

Datsko Park located at 3099 Whitney Road, Largo FL 33760 will be closed from September 25 through October 6 during the construction of the parking lot improvements. The improvements will include ADA compliance improvements, parking lot asphalt pavement repairs and maintenance, concrete sidewalk improvements, and new parking lot pavement markings. 

Datsko Park is closed during the construction of the parking lot improvements. We apologize for the inconvenience to the park visitors and appreciate your patience during the construction of the park improvements. For questions, please contact Largo Public Works at vhoskavi@largo.com.

8th AVENUE SE CLOSURE AT CSX TRACKS

8th Avenue SE will be closed at the CSX tracks October 2-6 to replace the existing timber and asphalt crossing with a more durable, smoother tub crossing. During the crossing replacement, Lake Avenue and Donegan Road can be accessed from the north at Central Park Drive and the south at Ulmerton Road. Access to 8th Avenue SE, including Largo Middle School, will be from Seminole Blvd. Please plan for longer drive times the week of the crossing replacement. For questions, please contact Largo Engineering at bwestmar@largo.com or 727-587-6713 Ext. 4433 

COMING TO CPPAC