Committee reviews community policing deputy reduction, CRA move and donated‑fund options

Staff recommended reducing the number of community policing deputies (CPDs) funded by the city from three to two and adding clearer role descriptions to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office contract. The recommendation came after staff analysis indicated two CPDs were more productive than three in prior years; staff said clarifying roles and expectations would improve accountability.

At the same meeting, staff said they will present to the City Commission a request to begin a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) process for a defined area (north of 70th Avenue and including commercial corridors). Staff explained that a finding of necessity is required to form a CRA; the district would allow the city to capture incremental county tax increments within the CRA area to fund infrastructure improvements in that district.

Committee members also raised the idea of a not‑for‑profit vehicle or similar structure that would accept resident donations for targeted city projects; staff said they had begun researching legal and operational models to allow residents to donate to specific city priorities with clear deliverable targets.