Pinellas County commissioners are considering a proposal to create a new county mayor position, potentially transforming the county’s top leadership role. If approved, voters could elect the first-ever county mayor by November 2028.

The idea was brought up during last Thursday’s county commission meeting, sparking discussion among leaders about how the change would impact the current system.

What Would a County Mayor Mean for Pinellas?

The proposed role would replace the current county administrator—now held by Barry Burton—with an elected mayor. Unlike the administrator, who is appointed by the commission, the new mayor would be chosen directly by voters.

Commissioner Chris Latvala introduced the proposal, emphasizing the importance of voter input when it comes to county leadership.

“This has nothing to do with Barry’s performance,” Latvala said. “If you’ve seen my reviews of him, they’ve been very high. Barry does a wonderful job. But philosophically, I believe that in a county like ours, the person making day-to-day decisions should be accountable to voters.”

Latvala added that the commission should approach the decision thoughtfully and take time to consider the implications.

To move forward, at least five of the seven commissioners must vote to place the referendum on the 2026 ballot. Pinellas County residents would then decide whether to approve the creation of the mayor’s office.

In the meantime, commissioners plan to review state laws and explore how the change might impact the responsibilities of other county officials.

If Pinellas goes forward with the plan, it would join the ranks of Florida counties like Miami-Dade, Orange, and Palm Beach, all of which already have elected mayors.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: Pinellas County Government)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news