Leaders of Pinellas County’s barrier island communities joined a growing chorus of opposition to a state proposal to eliminate property taxes in 2026, calling the plan catastrophic for local government.
At the Dec. 3 Barrier Island Governmental Council meeting, Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine, Commissioner Suzy Sofer and City Administrator Debra Sullivan urged fellow municipal leaders to educate residents about the proposal’s ramifications. Their message received universal support.
“This is the biggest assault of preemption anyone has ever seen in the state of Florida,” Belleair Beach Mayor Dave Gattis said…