Welcome to LARGO TODAY, News from the City Manager. You can find a copy of this edition and previous eNews at Largo.com/LargoToday. Stay up-to-date on the superior services the City of Largo offers to our residents, businesses and visitors to build the "Community of Choice in Tampa Bay."

-Henry Schubert, City Manager
THIS WEEK IN LARGO - August 20, 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
  • Sat, Sep 4, 10am | Largo Central Park Train Rides | Largo Central Park
  • Sat, Sep 4, 10am | Largo Market | Largo Central Park
  • Tue, Sep 7, 6pm | Largo City Commission Meeting
UPCOMING POP-UP COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC
The City of Largo has teamed up with the Florida Department of Health Pinellas to offer a pop-up vaccine clinic at the Largo Public Library on August 31 from 10am until 1pm. Both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson will be available. There are no appointments required, no cost for the vaccine, and individuals are not required to provide insurance information. Help us protect the health and wellness of our community.
NEWS AND UPDATES
NEW COVID-19 HOUSING & ECONOMIC STABILITY PROGRAMS
Largo is pleased to announce the start up of new programs to assist Largo residents with housing and economic stability. These programs are funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Largo Strong: Helps Largo households develop and carry out personalized economic stability plans including assisting with connections to job training and employment, childcare, rent assistance, mental health services, and transit. Call Largo Strong at 727-362-4285.

Safer at Home Eviction Prevention:
  • St. Vincent De Paul CARES: Provides case management services to assist households at high risk of becoming homeless to help them remain stably housed. The objective is to help with longer term housing stability. The agency can help residents access county and state rental programs as well. Contact: Sam Ivory, Operations Manager - Non-Veteran Programs, sam@svpdpsp.org; 727-266-7513.
  • National Foundation for Debt Management:  Housing Counseling services for persons at risk of eviction (or foreclosure prevention) needing initial contact with landlord to prevent homelessness, connection to rental resources/assistance with applications, or eviction legal assistance. Includes financial action plan for increasing savings and credit recovery. Contact Jennifer Pascale, jpascale@nfdm.org; 727-254-5353 Ext. 3124.

Food Distribution:
  • High Point Neighborhood Family Center (includes fresh vegetables and meats): 5812 150th Ave N, Clearwater, FL. Distribution is Mondays from 3-6 PM.
  • Ridgecrest YMCA – new site coming at the end of August

Additional resources and food distribution sites are listed on the City’s COVID-19 Community Resources site. Links to Pinellas County’s and the State of Florida’s Rent Assistance Programs can be found on the City of Largo’s Housing Division site.
SHARE INPUT ON LARGO'S PROPERTY TAX RATE
Managing the City budget is an important part of Largo’s vision to be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay. The property tax rate is a main source of funding for City services such as Fire Rescue, Recreation and Emergency Management. Share your perspective on this year’s proposed tax rate by completing a brief survey before September 3.
The annual budget and property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022 will be adopted by the City Commission on September 23. Learn more at Largo.com/FinancialCenter.
The City of Largo would like to congratulate USA Olympian and Largo native, Anastasija Zolotic, on her recent gold medal win in women's taekwondo during this year's Summer Olympics in Tokyo.To honor Anastasija's phenomenal achievement, the City will recognize her with a special proclamation during the Largo City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, September 7 at 6pm. The Olympic champion and family will be joining in person. The Largo community is invited to tune in during the meeting via Facebook Live (fb.com/CityofLargo). Share a message of congratulations through the online form or email Marketing@largo.com directly, and your message may be shared live during the meeting.
KUDOS TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM MEMBERS
Community Development would like to recognize two outstanding individuals. David Kent and Phillip Murphy have strengthened our organization by providing additional services to our community through obtaining licensure with the Department of Building and Professional Regulation. 

David Kent, Plumbing Inspector in the Community Development Department's Building Division, obtained his Florida Standard Plumbing Inspector License. Applicants must show four years of experience and pass an extensive test on plumbing code standards to receive their license.   

Phillip Murphy, Plans Examiner in the Community Development Department's Building Division, obtained his Florida Standard Building Plans Examiner License. Mr. Murphy took a different route than Dave by completing a cross training program to obtain his license. This included 50 hours of classroom training, completing 150 hours of on-the-job training, and then passing an extensive test on Building code standards. Mr. Murphy is now licensed in 3 out of 4 trades: Building, Electrical and Mechanical.
SEEKING PERFORMERS FOR 'HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD' EVENT
The City of Largo's Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll event will be back this year, on Saturday, December 4 starting at 6pm. This year, our Holiday Stroll event theme is Holidays Around the World. To celebrate our diverse community, Largo invites cultural dancers, musicians, or artists to apply to be apart of one of our largest special events of the season. For questions or to apply, please contact our Special Events team at 727-587-6740 Ext. 5014.
HELP OUR COMMUNITY STAY HEALTHY & SAFE
Cases are rising at alarming rates in Pinellas County. Building defenses against COVID-19 within our organization and community is a team effort. You are a key part of that defense. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine adds one more layer of protection for you and those around you. Have questions? Visit Covid19.PinellasCounty.org or view vaccine benefits at CDC.gov.

We're in this together, Largo, and you play an essential role in keeping yourself and our community healthy.
MISSION: Provide Superior Services that Inspire Community Pride
VISION: To Be the Community of Choice in Tampa Bay
VALUES: INTEGRITY | COLLABORATION | PASSION | CREATIVITY