Water is a prime example. Coastal communities, including Pinellas, have little if any potable water beneath them. It is true that our forefathers had the insight to purchase wells in Pasco County, but the Legislature has made it plain that though we might own the land and equipment, we do not own the water. It was made clear that if a regional solution was not forthcoming, the Legislature would impose its own. Desalination plants will contribute to the solution, but there are environmental considerations.
Public safety is another key issue.
We have all heard the rumors of low morale in the Police Department, about the excessive number of lawsuits and the cost of defending them, and the difficulty in retaining and recruiting officers. The new mayor and council will have to decide what is fact and what is fiction. The mayor will have to determine what, if any, changes need to be made. The bottom line for most of us is whether or not we feel safe in each of our neighborhoods and in our community. The forward direction of the city is also a key consideration.