BELLEAIR BLUFFS - Belleair Bluffs is undergoing a political shakeup.
Commissioner Brett Nelson announced at Monday night's commission meeting that he is resigning at the end of the month. He gave no reason for his action.
Nelson's term still has more than a year to run - until March, 2008.
Mayor Chris Arbutine said that the commission will appoint a citizen to fill the seat on an interim basis and then fill the seat at the March election for a one-year term.
That will make four seats open in the election.
Already up for re-election are Arbutine, who is unopposed so far, and Commissioners Bob Russo and Troy Kroz, both seeking to keep their seats.
Wally Witham, a former member of the commission, has announced that he will run.
The commission re-visited Monday night the subject of raises for its two department heads - Debra Sullivan, the city clerk, and Robert David, the public works director.
Last week, the commission voted to give Sullivan a 4.75 percent raise and David a 4.5 percent raise.
The issue was raised Monday by Nelson who said he was not comfortable with the raise scheme. He indicated that both should get a 5 percent increase and so moved. Commissioner Dave Shimkus, the only member not involved in this year's election, seconded the motion and the approval was unanimous.
The commission had a short agenda but it gave approval for David to go ahead with a design for a planned artistic fountain on the southwest corner of West Bay Drive and Indian Rocks Road.
Commissioners heard County Administrator Steve Spratt at the beginning of the session. He gave a presentation on why the Penny for Pinellas tax should be extended after its 2010 termination date.
The one-cent tax, tacked on to the 6 percent state sales tax, runs out this year and faces referendum consideration in March.
Penny for Pinellas began in 1990 and was renewed in 2000.
Spratt has been touring all the cities in the county seeking backing for what is officially known as the Local Options Sales Tax.