Page 3 - Mark Bunker News Today

The city of Clearwater has plans to build a new city hall, which is set to cost $45 million.

A ballot measure will propose a runoff system to ensure candidates win with a majority of votes.

A council member vacating her seat to run for mayor will face a candidate touting his business experience.

CLEARWATER — More candidates have filed to run in the last two City Council elections than ever before, leading Clearwater leaders to consider whether the city has outgrown its voting system. Now, officials are moving to let voters decide. Next month, the council is expected to consider language for a March 19 ballot referendum asking residents whether the city should have runoffs for the top ...

A yes vote would change the current system, where council candidates can win with less than 50% support.

CLEARWATER — For the first time in two decades, the City Council has voted to increase the salaries for the elected officials of Tampa Bay’s third largest city, an effort to attract more diversity to an office that has largely been held by retirees or the independently wealthy with flexibility to do the job for low pay. Beginning with the next election on March 19, council members would be ...

Beginning with the next election on March 19, council members would be paid $45,000 and the mayor $49,000, a raise of 63% and 48% respectively.

CLEARWATER — A long-planned overhaul of one of the city’s main east-west arteries will go forward without a proposed trial run despite a late request from several City Council members.

Three council members, along with business leaders, question whether previous studies were accurate.

City leaders and Pride event organizers promise a welcoming environment. However, they said they're having to navigate the month with new laws.