Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners Regular Session – June 23, 2026

The Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. The meeting — which lasted about three hours, adjourning at 8:54 PM — included a $444,000 land-preservation donation from a private developer; proclamations for LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the 250th anniversary of the United States; an extended, sometimes hostile public comment period; and unanimous approval of the consent agenda, a construction-manager-at-risk contract for a new golf course clubhouse, a final city seal and marketing logo, a first-reading subdivision plat vacation, and removal of a parking condition from the Cohatch site plan.

Special Presentation – Anclote Harbor Land Preservation Fund

• Cindy Terrapani of Terra Panny Planning Strategies, joined by Jeff Miller and Donna Lee of The Morgan Group and former Commissioner Jacob Carr, presented a $444,000 donation to the city’s land preservation fund — described as the first such donation from a private entity. Jeff Miller thanked Commissioner Larson and Commissioner Robin Sanger for establishing the fund.
• The donation is tied to the Caroline Anclote Harbor development on US 19, a project that Terrapani said preserved all but a half-acre of its on-site wetlands, removed invasive species and replanted Florida natives, created a six-acre park for residents, and kept buildings at least 150 feet from the Anclote River corridor. Only 12 of the 64-acre site is developed, and the project is expected to generate approximately $400,000 per year in ad valorem tax revenue for the city.
• Jeff Miller said the first residential units should be delivered in two to three months, with final completion by the end of 2026. Former Commissioner Carr said the city spent $160,000 investigating the project and “everything came out clean”; he cited roughly 20.5 to 21.5 acres of wetlands on the property (his two estimates differed) and said $1–2 million in impact fees will go toward fire, library, water/sewer, and other infrastructure.

Proclamations

• Pride Month (June 2026): Mayor John Koulianos read the proclamation, noting it has been issued for five consecutive years and by the last three mayors. Pastor Patti Hanks accepted on behalf of the Rainbow Welcome Circle at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs. Commissioner Banther called recent opposition “manufactured outrage,” said the proclamation had previously been “as plain and boring as Earth Day,” and stated that elected officials govern for all of Tarpon Springs, not only those who share their beliefs.
• 250th Anniversary of the United States: The mayor proclaimed July 4, 2026, as the 250th anniversary of the United States, noting the city’s annual Independence Day picnic and fireworks display at Craig Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Opposition: Pastor Victor McCluskey (New Port Richey), Alan Ciders (Clearwater), Richard Maxwell (New Port Richey), and David Ballard Geddes Jr. (Palm Harbor) spoke against the Pride proclamation on religious grounds, several using fiery or hostile language that drew repeated attempts by the mayor to cut them off; some directed remarks at the audience and commission members.
• Support: Many residents and advocates thanked the commission, including Ann Avian of Equality Florida; a licensed clinical social worker in a two-mom household who described harassment, the vandalism of a Pride flag at her church, and said her family is relocating from Florida in 46 days; Joanne Rich; Janet Cunningham (wife of a disabled Navy veteran); Dory Larson; Darla Hancock; Margo Lizer; Alexis; and Caitlin Miller, who said she was born and raised in Tarpon Springs and recently married her wife. One resident (Peter Grace) sang a short song about sharing love. Several speakers also criticized the out-of-town religious opponents.
• Avi Cole, a 17-year-old Tarpon Springs resident, called the session “one of the most unproductive meetings” she had attended, said she is not in favor of Pride, and argued the commission should focus on agenda items rather than political topics.
• Former Mayor Protest raised a pedestrian-safety concern about e-bikes and scooters on downtown sidewalks, requesting a police presentation on new state rules; the police chief later said an ordinance is being drafted.
• Peter Delakis raised budget concerns tied to county property-tax revenue reductions (which he cited as $0.61 billion by 2027 and $1.02 billion subsequently) and potential ripple effects on county-run services such as mosquito control and county parks.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–11 were approved unanimously by roll call (5–0): (4) Johnson Jackson PLLC attorney fee invoices; (5) satisfaction/release of liens; (6) award of OVIVO OEM parts and service; (7) award of Flygt submersible pumps and parts; (8) extension of purchasing card services; (9) renewal of concrete mix materials; (10) extension of shade and shelter services; and (11) renewal of the interlocal agreement with Forward Pinellas for planning and mapping support.

Discussion Items

• Item 12 – Golf Course Clubhouse Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR): Public Services Director Thomas Kiger presented a plan to build a new clubhouse on the existing practice green and demolish the 1960s building to create additional parking. Kiger said the course — the oldest continuously operating municipal course in Florida — has averaged well over 60,000 rounds per year (more than 63,000 annually over the last five years, including a hurricane-disrupted 2025). The course produced a $635,000 net operating profit in 2025 and a $2.55 million record gross revenue, with $2.2 million in revenue through May 2026 and about $2.8 million projected by September 30; the enterprise fund balance was $1.2 million at the start of the year and is projected to reach $1.65 million by October 1, 2026. The $5.1 million base construction cost — about $5.4 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) including permits and a solar-panel alternative funded from the sustainability budget — would be funded through a 10-year construction loan plus $1.15 million in supplemental cash from the golf course enterprise fund; Kiger said no penny-fund or general-fund money would be used. Bandy’s Construction, selected through a competitively bid RFQ in 2025, provided the GMP at 90% design, and 90% of subcontractor work was publicly bid. The project cost is about $640 per square foot versus a comparison average of just under $900 per square foot. Construction is expected to start in July 2026 with a 365-day schedule. Commissioner Weaver and Commissioner Eisner expressed support; Commissioner Banther said any future request touching the general fund would be “an automatic no.” The motion carried 5–0. (Note: the transcript states the loan was approved “in 2006” in one instance and “back in February” in another; the February approval appears to be the intended reference, likely a transcription error.)
• Item 13 – City Seal and Marketing Logo: PIO/Marketing Specialist Jordan Van Loo presented final designs incorporating direction from workshops on February 5 and February 26, 2026, including a maroon sponging vessel (representing the high school), a colored lighthouse, refined trees, and a brightened sky. Staff said the design work and style guides are complete. Commissioner Banther called the process “a giant waste of time and resources” but accepted the result; other commissioners expressed satisfaction. The motion carried 5–0.
• Item 14 – Ordinance 2026-11 (First Reading): Interim Planning Director Allie Keen presented a partial vacation of the 1911 Lake Butler Heights subdivision plat — 39 lots totaling about 3.64 acres, plus approximately 0.85 acres (37,035 square feet, more or less) of unimproved platted right-of-way on portions of Statelberg Avenue, Burke Street, and an alley — to enable a 32-unit townhome community on the south side of Mango Street. Staff recommended approval, noting letters of no objection from all service providers, a retained 10-foot alley separation, and a future right-of-way reservation along Mango Street. Public commenter Peter Delakis argued the vacation would disconnect Burke Street from Distant Avenue and conflict with the comprehensive plan. Applicant representative Matt Silverane of Gulf Coast Consulting said the townhomes are a DR Horton product selling in Pinellas Park for $360,000 to $390,000. First reading was approved 5–0; second reading is scheduled for July 14, 2026.
• Item 15 – Resolution 2026-22 (Cohatch Site Plan Modification, Quasi-Judicial): Staff recommended removing condition #7 from Resolution 2022-42, which required Cohatch Tarpon Springs (121 E. Tarpon Ave.) to provide parking — currently satisfied by the applicant leasing 18 spaces from the Methodist Church. Staff cited the T5B transect zone’s lack of a parking requirement and the city’s downtown parking investments (a 30-space Ring Avenue lot, 30 on-street spaces on Court Street, roughly 136 leased spaces between 2021 and 2025, and 11 new on-street spaces in 2025), plus two-hour parking limits posted in the 100 block of East Tarpon Avenue. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval at its June meeting by a 6–1 vote, with four public commenters. One commissioner disclosed membership in Cohatch and a conversation with Cohatch Community Manager Cody Bracey, stating there was no conflict. Bracey thanked the city and said Cohatch accepted the condition in 2023. The motion carried 5–0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 5–0.
• Golf course clubhouse CMAR contract (Item 12) approved 5–0; construction expected to begin July 2026.
• Final city seal and marketing logo (Item 13) approved 5–0.
• Ordinance 2026-11 (Lake Butler Heights plat vacation) approved 5–0 on first reading; second reading on July 14, 2026.
• Resolution 2026-22 (Cohatch parking condition removal) approved 5–0.
• The city manager announced the required public hearing on the fiscal year budget for Thursday, June 25, 2026, and said Connect Tarpon would remain open for public input during the budget process.
• The police chief said an ordinance limiting bikes and e-bikes on downtown and Sponge Dock sidewalks is being drafted for July consideration, with state rules posted on the city website.
• The mayor was excused from the July 14, 2026, meeting, and the board noted a reduced commission presence during July.