| |
The Wave
Your Pinellas County Government Newsletter
February 2026
| | A glance at people, programs & news from Pinellas County! | |
Now that's what we call a beach!
It's time to celebrate! Local leaders placed the last grains of sand in Treasure Island for Pinellas County’s beach nourishment project. The project spanned eight municipalities, including Clearwater's Sand Key, Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Shores, North Redington Beach, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach. In some areas, the beaches now span more than 100 yards.
| | |
Improved Raymond H. Neri Park opens in Lealman
Pinellas County opened the improved Raymond H. Neri Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony over the weekend at the new park address, 4300 Duval Park Blvd. in unincorporated Lealman.
The 38-acre Joe’s Creek Greenway Park first opened in 2005 with a field and a trail. The park now includes playgrounds, adult fitness equipment, trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, open play areas, an athletic field and soon dog parks.
Construction was paid for with Penny for Pinellas funding supplemented by state and federal funds. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset.
| | |
Help us conserve water during shortage
Due to below average rainfall and declining water supply throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has issued a Phase II Water Shortage Order that requires Pinellas County Utilities to move to one-day-per-week.
If you’re a Pinellas County Utilities customer, visit pinellas.gov/water-conservation to find your updated watering day, water conservation tips and Florida-Friendly Landscaping guidance. If you receive water from another supplier, verify your watering days and restrictions with them.
| | |
Pinellas Citizens University is open for applications
The application window is open for the Pinellas County University, a six-week course scheduled for Wednesday evenings from March 4 through April 8, with two optional Saturday sessions.
Participants will get an inside look at various Pinellas County operations each week and talk to the experts as they explore a wide range of county functions. Classes generally meet from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The enrollment application is available online or by calling (727) 464-4600. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 20. Registration is free.
| |
Tell your neighbors: Don't miss out on hurricane recovery grants
You may not need financial help to rebuild your home or pay off storm-related debt, but you probably know someone who does! Pinellas Recovers is already helping renters, homeowners and even small landlords get money back or rebuild their lives. Even those who got some help from FEMA or insurance can qualify if they have documented unmet needs. Awards go up to...
- $15,000 for rent, utilities and other financial hardships
- $375,000 to rebuild/elevate your primary residence or rental property
- $80,000 to buy a new home outside the flood zone
- $50,000 to reimburse you for home repairs you already finished
Help us get the word out about this program: recover.pinellas.gov.
| | |
Deadline extended: Tell us your lessons learned about extreme weather
What advice do you have after experiencing the impacts of severe weather? What would you tell a neighbor about how to prepare? Share your lessons learned for a chance to be included in the 2026 Pinellas County Hurricane Guide. The deadline has been extended to Feb. 20. Your experience could help others during future hurricanes or other extreme weather. Take the short survey.
| | |
Statewide Great Tornado Drill
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Statewide Tornado Drill last week! Remember: If a tornado is nearby, you may have only minutes to prepare. Know your safe place (an interior room away from windows), and, if a tornado warning is issued, go there immediately and protect your head. Make sure you get emergency alerts by signing up for Alert Pinellas. To learn more about tornado safety visit, ready.gov/tornadoes.
|
Find your puppy love with new Love Lost partnership
A lost pet can be devastating for pet families because it's not easy to reconnect. But Pinellas County Animal Services is working to make it easier for you to find your furry friends.
Our Found Center webpage now incorporates Petco's Love Lost, a program using recognition technology to match photos of lost dogs and cats with their families, allowing anyone with computer access to help.
If you lost your pet, you'll enter their lost location and a photo of the pet, and the system will search found reports for matches. If you found an animal, you'll enter the location and a picture and it will search for missing pets. Add our Found Center add it to your bookmarks should you need it in the future.
| |
Join the Pinellas County team!
We offer competitive pay, with salaries starting at $18/hour and above. Our benefits package, ranked among the top in the area, includes medical coverage starting at $13.09 per paycheck, participation in the Florida Retirement System, leave time starting at 15 days annual/sick leave in the first year, a wellness program, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, and more.
This month’s featured jobs include:
- Engineering Manager – Utilities Infrastructure
- Engineering Specialist – Signal Timing
Learn more about what we offer and apply today at pinellas.gov/careers.
| | | | |
