Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners Regular Session Summary - May 26, 2026

The City of Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners held its regular session on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall Auditorium, presided over by Mayor John Koulianos. The meeting included special presentations from the Sustainability Advisory Committee, proclamations for R'Club and Code Enforcement, public comments on a variety of topics, and several public hearings. City Manager Mark LeCouris was warmly welcomed back to his role.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and agreements for items 4 through 12 were approved under the consent agenda. Item 13 was pulled for separate discussion.
• (Items included attorney fees, special events, acting city manager designation, temporary staff appointment, lien releases, and various procurement awards).
• Item 13 (Purchase of a Dump Truck): Commissioner Eisner pulled the item to discuss the rationale for replacing a 2013 Chevy Silverado utility body truck with a higher-cost Ford F-550 dump truck. Jake Schaff, Fleet Manager, explained the upgrade was needed to better serve the stormwater division for daily operations and hurricane debris removal, noting significant rust on the old vehicle and the ability to avoid costly future rentals. The item was approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Peter Delakis welcomed back City Manager LeCouris but cautioned the board against placing too much responsibility on him, urging broader discussions on city priorities, parental leave policies, and property tax concerns.
• Jane Harrington expressed frustration that public comment on the city manager's return felt ignored. She argued the city lacked a sustainable succession plan, stating it was "not acceptable in any business not to have people well trained to take over."
• David Ballard Geddes Jr. questioned the ecological narrative around coyotes, suggesting their increased presence might be artificially encouraged to the detriment of other local wildlife like raccoons and armadillos.
• Anita Proto raised public safety concerns regarding young people on electric scooters and golf carts without helmets or lights, and described Memorial Day conditions at Sunset Beach as "horrendous," urging the city to enforce rules and consider a lifeguard.
• Katie Taylor welcomed back the city manager, thanked the sustainability committee for its coyote presentation, and expressed gratitude to the police department for patrolling Rose Cemetery.

Business Items & Discussion

• Annual Sustainability Committee Update: Dr. Carol Mickett, Committee Chair, presented a report on the committee's 2025 activities, including community outreach, partnerships (Leepa Ratner Museum), the coyote presentation, and a mental health panel. Vice Mayor requested a staff report measuring implementation of the existing sustainability plan, which Dr. Mickett confirmed was being tracked.
• Item 14: Sister City Travel Expenses: Mayor Koulianos presented a $3,900 accommodation cost for a potential trip to Greece. He opted to delay the decision, citing concerns over the optics of the expense given upcoming budget talks, and offered to possibly fund the trip personally or partially.
• Item 15: Sunset Beach Parking (Ordinance 2026-03): The second reading of the ordinance to establish residential parking permits and fees at Sunset Beach was debated. Several residents spoke for and against the measure. Commissioner Eisner, Banther, and Weaver supported the fee to prioritize residents and manage cleanup costs. Vice Mayor Kulyas and Mayor Koulianos opposed, arguing against the need for a fee and suggesting occupancy limits instead. The ordinance passed on a 3-2 vote (Weaver, Banther, Eisner in favor; Vice Mayor, Mayor opposed).
• Items 16 & 17: Stormwater and Land Development Code Updates: These second-reading ordinance packages (Stormwater Management and LDC Articles I, II, III) were presented with no changes from their first readings and passed unanimously without public comment.
• Item 18: Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles (Ordinance 2026-07): This second reading amended Section 56.05, adding a six-month review, a conditional use process, and reducing allowed nights to three. Vice Mayor Kulyas argued the city was overregulating and making rules for a single business. Commissioner Weaver suggested a distance restriction from brick-and-mortar restaurants as a better alternative. The ordinance passed on a 3-2 vote (Banther, Vice Mayor Kulyas, Mayor Koulianos in favor; Weaver, Eisner opposed).
• Item 19: Firefighters' Pension Plan (Ordinance 2026-04): Fire Chief Craig Misener presented the corrected first reading of the ordinance. The ordinance increases the benefit multiplier from 3.25% to 3.5% for service after October 1, 2025, permits the purchase of up to a 4% multiplier, and makes changes to the DROP program. It was approved unanimously, with a second reading scheduled for June 9, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals:
  • Consent Agenda Items 4-12 (Unanimous).
  • Item 13 (Dump Truck Replacement) (5-0).
  • Ordinance 2026-03 (Sunset Beach Parking Fee) (3-2).
  • Ordinance 2026-05, 2026-06 (Stormwater Codes) (Unanimous).
  • Ordinance 2026-08, 2026-09, 2026-10 (Land Development Code) (Unanimous).
  • Ordinance 2026-07 (Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicles) (3-2).
  • Ordinance 2026-04 (Firefighters' Pension, 1st Reading) (Unanimous; 2nd Reading set for June 9).
  • City Clerk excusal for July 14 and 28 meetings (4-1, Commissioner Eisner dissenting).
  • Commissioner Banther excused from the June 9, 2026 meeting (Unanimous).
• Directives & Next Steps:
  • Mayor Koulianos to bring a proposal to honor Frank Jenkins (youth football coach) with a plaque at an upcoming meeting.
  • Mayor Koulianos to bring a final proposal for Sister City travel expenses at a later date.
  • Staff directed to prepare a report on the Sustainability Plan implementation status for the board.
  • The approved mobile food truck ordinance includes a mandatory six-month review period.
  • Fire Chief reminded residents to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season beginning June 1.