Every six years, as required by state law, Pinellas County convenes a commission to review its charter and make recommendations for improvements.
The year 2010 is a charter review year.
The 13- member Charter Review Commission was appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in December and includes four elected officials and nine members of the community.
Elected officials appointed to the 2010 commission are State Representative Ed Hooper, Pinellas County Tax Collector Diane Nelson, Pinellas County Commission Ken Welch and Safety Harbor Mayor Andy Steingold.
The commission is an independent authority, meaning it does not answer to the county commissioners, with the ability to put charter amendments and referendum questions directly on the November 2010 general election.
The commission has six months, or until July 31, to issue a report of its findings including any proposed charter amendments.
The commission convened its first meeting on Dec. 7. At a second meeting on Jan. 5, former county commissioner Ronnie Duncan was elected commission chair and Ricardo Davis was elected to serve a vice chair, according to meeting minutes. The CRC also voted to hire Kurt Spitzer and Associates Inc. as its consultant, and the firm of Bryant Miller Olive as it legal counsel. Former Pinellas County Attorney Susan Churuti is part of the Bryant Miller Olive legal team.
The CRC has a budget of $100,000 to cover costs for the consultant and legal counsel, as well as travel and other expenses.
Minutes from previous meetings show several areas of concern the commission proposes to review, including consolidation of the Pinellas Planning Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization; annexation of unincorporated areas by the cities; extension of the charter review period; consolidation of fire services and others.
The commission meets at 4 p.m. at the Mid County Tax Collector’s office, Starkey Lakes Corporate Center, 13025 Starkey Road in Largo. The public is welcome to attend and speak.
The following meeting dates are scheduled: Tuesday, Feb. 9; Monday, Feb. 22; Tuesday, March 9; Monday, March 22; Tuesday, April 13; Monday, April 26; Tuesday, May 11; Monday, May 24; Tuesday, June 8; Monday, June 14 (public hearing); Monday, June 21 (possible public hearing); Monday, June 28; Tuesday, July 13; and Monday, July 26.
