Board of County Commissioners - Work Session - 2026-04-30
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of County Commissioners Work Session focused primarily on Solid Waste Department updates including power brokering revenues, tipping fee increases, and Lellman MSBU collection rates. The board also reviewed the Care About Me behavioral health program with marketing updates and future planning options, and received a comprehensive review of the Office of Human Rights programs. Commissioner Peters raised concerns about data centers and their impact on water and energy resources, with board consensus to explore ordinances limiting or banning large data centers.
Key Decisions (6)
FY27 Tipping Fee Recommendation
Staff recommended maintaining the previously approved 8% tipping fee increase for FY27, bringing the rate to $63.57 per ton. This represents a $4.71 increase per ton, approximately $0.39 per month for single-family homes. The increase is part of a three-year strategy (FY26-28) to bridge the revenue gap from the expired Duke Energy power purchase agreement.
Lellman MSBU Solid Waste Collection Rate Recommendation
Staff recommended $48 annual assessment increases for both FY27 and FY28 for the Lellman franchise area, bringing rates from $240 to $288 in FY27 and $336 in FY28. The increase is needed to stabilize the fund after the FY26 assessment increase was not implemented due to administrative timing issues.
Care About Me Program Marketing Renewal
Board reached consensus to continue marketing efforts for the Care About Me behavioral health program using opioid settlement miscellaneous funds ($441,000 remaining) with potential additional funding from city-county opioid settlement funds. Marketing firm BKN Creative would continue with both digital marketing and expanded grassroots outreach.
Care About Me Program Future Structure
Board expressed preference for exploring a hybrid option (dubbed 'Barry alternative') where the county would build out the CAM platform using the existing ARPA-funded human services case management system ($1.1 million implementation, $30,000 annual licensing thereafter) while contracting with an external clinical provider to operate the program.
Office of Human Rights Program Review
Board received comprehensive review of Office of Human Rights programs conducted by Local Government Solutions. The review found the office operates 10 programs across five categories with approximately 10 FTE positions and a budget that increased 17% over five years (aligned with CPI). Board expressed support for continuing the office with exploration of cost recovery opportunities.
Data Center Ordinance Direction
Commissioner Peters requested staff explore options to ban or limit large data centers in Pinellas County due to water and energy consumption concerns. Board consensus supported exploring ordinances similar to Brevard County's approach banning tax exemptions for data centers, with potential effective date after SB 180 preemption expires.
Development Activity (1)
Data Center on Gandy Blvd
Large data center facility under consideration; board expressed concerns about water and energy consumption impacts
Market Signals (4)
Infrastructure
Municipal waste volumes at Solid Waste facility remain 15-20% higher month-over-month compared to pre-2024 storm levels, driven by delayed construction debris from hurricane recovery and reconstruction permits.
Infrastructure
Power brokering for waste-to-energy facility generating approximately $37 per megawatt net revenue, exceeding forecasted $27 per megawatt, validating power brokering strategy over standard Duke Energy purchase agreements.
Infrastructure
New waste energy facility operator contract came in at $34.25 per ton processing rate, down from previous $40 per ton, though higher than hoped-for $32 per ton.
Sentiment
Board expressed strong concerns about large data centers depleting water and energy resources, with consensus to explore restrictions following Brevard County's approach of banning tax exemptions for data centers.