Politics & Government
Preview: City Commission Meeting, Feb. 21
Tonight's city commission includes a discussion on how to get the community more involved in upcoming city budget process.
What matters to city residents? The Largo City Commission will discuss tonight ways to encourage more public input in the upcoming city budget process. The goal is to get meaningful public input to help the commission learn more about the funding priorities of the community.
The preliminary plan includes an electronic survey and three 90-minute roundtable discussions. The proposed electronic survey would ask residents to share what's important to them, what services they have used, and what they think of Largo. The survey questions focus around several topics:
1. Diverse and vibrant economy. (a variety of restaurants and stores, revitalization of Largo's business and shopping areas, quality of jobs, incentives for businesses to come to town)
Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
2. Community amenities. (city parks, recreation centers, athletic fields, library, pools, cultural center, and the golf course)
3. Security and safety. (emergency response times, visibility of emergency personnel, disaster preparedness, and safety of streets and sidewalks)
Find out what's happening in Largowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
4. Community identity. (arts and cultural events, environmentally friendly, special events, and building an attractive community)
5. Infrastructure. (dependable sewer system, adequate flood/stormwater control, easier ways to get around town, and recycled/reclaimed water)
The proposed plan is also to have the community roundtables to discuss budget priorities, at different times of day: Breakfast Meeting- March 27, Evening Meeting- March 29 and Lunch Meeting- April 4.
Other items on the agenda include:
• Largo Police Detective Corey Monaghan will receive a United States Department of State Appreciation plaque for performing duties above and beyond expectations in the successful investigation of a child pornography case.
• The city commission will consider a 2012 early retirement incentive program for employees. In 2011, 13 employees took advantage of the early retirement program, which saved the city $84,900.
• The city will consider an agreement, which would allow Pinellas Park and Largo residents to pay resident rates for the recreation programs offered by both cities.
The Largo City Commission meets tonight at 6 p.m. Download the complete Largo City Commission Agenda
