Pinellas commissioners question property tax referendum (opens original article in a new tab)

Pinellas County commissioners expressed concerns that a Florida property tax referendum could lead to higher fees for working families, reduce workforce availability, and increase the median age of the population.

• Commissioner Kathleen Peters warned the referendum might not lower housing prices but raise fees for services used by working families.
• The referendum could shift population towards retirees, increasing Pinellas County's median age and reducing workforce availability.
• Local commissioners criticized the referendum as a power grab that reduces local government authority.