Subject:
Title
Funding recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Services Taxing Unit Special Projects Funding Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Municipal Services Taxing Unite (MSTU) Special Projects funding agreements with 11 nonprofit organizations and authorize the County Administrator to execute advance funding agreements of up to $25,000 with Friends of Ridgecrest, Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce and Crystal Beach Youth Center.
Furthermore, delegate authority to the County Administrator to approve and execute eight reimbursement funding agreements with East Lake Community Library, East Lake Recreation, FEAST, Feather Sound Community Services District, Greater Palm Harbor Branch YMCA, Palm Harbor Library, Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation, and Unincorporated Seminole Sports Association. The agreements will authorize a reimbursement payment of up to $25,000.00 to each organization for the projects described in the attached materials upon proof of project completion.
• Eleven nonprofit organizations are recommended for funding to support a range of projects, including a tutoring room renovation, self-checkout library kiosks, trash cans and picnic tables, digital signage and technology upgrades, rubber mulch for a playground, facility improvements such as automatic handicap-accessible doors, deck reconstruction, artificial turf, audio-visual technology upgrades, a telehandler to support maintenance operations, and replacement of a baseball field backstop.
• The Office of the County Administrator is recommending awards for 11 projects in the amount of $260,500.00. Seventeen applications were received totaling $392,750 in requested funding. Staff will work with applicants not recommended for future funding cycles.
• This is the final cycle under the current criteria. Staff will bring the revised criteria for next year, including limiting applications to once every three years.
• Funding for these agreements is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget within the General Fund in the amount of $312,861.25. Including this request for funding, a total of $53,361.25 will remain available for Board approved MSTU projects with $2,376,638.75 will have been spent and / or committed to date. The proposed agreements contain fiscal non-funding provisions in the event sufficient funds are not available in FY27.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.3 Increase access to green space.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
2.2 Enhance community safety.
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.4 Enhance educational and cultural opportunities.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
4.3 Improve efficiency of service delivery through technology.
Summary:
Summary
The Office of the County Administrator recommends awarding $260,500 in FY 2026 MSTU Special Projects funding to 11 nonprofit organizations to support projects that benefit residents in unincorporated areas, including facility improvements, technology upgrades, and playground and park enhancements. During the FY26 application cycle, 17 applications were received requesting a total of $392,750. The FY26 application cycle opened on January 31,2026, and closed on March 31, 2026.
The County Administrator is also being granted authority to execute three advance funding agreements, providing $25,000 to each organization, as well as eight reimbursement agreements, providing $25,000 to each organization upon completion of eligible projects. Funding for these agreements is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget, which provides a total MSTU Special Projects allocation of $312,860.
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Background Information:
The MSTU Special Projects Funding opportunity was created by the Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of supporting projects that enhance community and neighborhood opportunities in unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. These MSTU Special Projects Awards are intended to support culture, recreation, and community engagement opportunities for residents in unincorporated areas that are comparable to those opportunities which municipalities typically provide to their residents.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this agreement is included in the FY26 Adopted Budget within the General Fund.
The recommended individual funding amounts in alphabetical order are as follows:
The Crystal Beach Youth Center $25,000.00
East Lake Community Library $25,000.00
East Lake Recreation $25,000.00
FEAST $10,500.00
Feather Sound Community Services District $25,000.00
Friends of Ridgecrest $25,000.00
Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce $25,000.00
Greater Palm Harbor Branch YMCA $25,000.00
Palm Harbor Library $25,000.00
Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation $25,000.00
Unincorporated Seminole Sports Association $25,000.00
Total Recommended Award Amount $260,500.00
Staff Member Responsible:
Audrey Ables, Mid and South County Community Coordinator, County Administration
Partners:
Partners:
The Crystal Beach Youth Center
East Lake Community Library
East Lake Recreation
FEAST
Feather Sound Community Services District
Friends of Ridgecrest
Greater Palm Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Palm Harbor Branch YMCA
Palm Harbor Library
Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation
Unincorporated Seminole Sports Association
Attachments:
FY26 MSTU Special Project Funding Applications and Recommendations
Applications Recommended for FY26 Funding
Applications Reviewed not Recommended
Example Advanced Funding Agreement
Example Reimbursement Funding Agreement