ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — How should the city of St. Petersburg spend $1 million to better the community? Residents can weigh in on five proposals right now.
On Tuesday night, Mayor Ken Welch announced the “Innovative Equity Project,” which gives residents the opportunity to vote for the top choice among a handful of projects they want to see implemented in the upcoming budget, including the following:
"Project 1: Cover St. Pete, A Roof Replacement Program: Introducing Cover St. Pete, A Roof Replacement Program. This initiative will provide relief to St. Pete homeowners burdened by aging roofs.
Project 2: Forward Together, A Youth Crime Prevention Program: Introducing Forward Together, A Youth Crime Prevention Program. This initiative is designed to address the foundational causes of youth involvement in crime.
Project 3: Swim Smart & Library Lockers: Introducing Swim Smart, Free Swim Lessons for Every Child in St. Pete (Elementary School Ages). This partnership between Pinellas County Schools, St. Pete Parks and Recreation, and the community will enhance safety and confidence among St. Pete elementary school children by equipping them with essential water safety skills and creating equitable access to swim lessons. In addition to free swim lessons, this project also includes the installation of outdoor remote lockers for libraries.
Project 4: Dream Big Day, A MLK Day of Service: Introducing the Citywide Day of Service. This initiative is dedicated to the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in St. Petersburg and enhancing residents' quality of life through volunteering and essential support.
Project 5: Water Assistance for St. Petersburg Homeowners (WASH): Introducing the Water Assistance for St. Petersburg Homeowners (WASH) program. This initiative will provide support to homeowners in managing their utility bills.”
The projects were the finalists among 11 ideas crafted by an internal competition among various city departments. The mayor says all five projects prioritize his pillars of innovation, inclusivity, and equity.
“Reaching different areas of our community and all areas of our community was a priority,” says St. Pete Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene. “It challenged our team to think creatively and think differently, with an eye towards equity and innovation and delivering impact to our community."
It’s a unique effort born from a simple idea, find a way to get the public more involved in a typically mundane budget process.
"We wanted to reach out and provide an avenue for our citizens to have direct participation in at least a small portion of our overall budget, but it was that was the idea is to increase participation for citizens in our community,” Greene added.
Online voting is open from now through June 12. Visit here: stpete.org/InnovativeEquity to learn more about the projects and cast your vote.
In-person voting will also be offered beginning April 19 at the following locations:
- Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S.
- J. W. Cate Recreation Center, 5801 22nd Ave. N.
- Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N.
- Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, 6635 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.