Pinellas County residents interested in shaping how colleges and universities finance new buildings have until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, to apply for one of two open seats on the Educational Facilities Authority Board. The Pinellas County Commission, which governs Palm Harbor and represents Dunedin residents, appoints all five members of the authority.
The openings were announced in a county vacancy notice posted this week.
The five-member board helps accredited higher-education institutions and other educational providers secure bond financing for construction projects, including dormitories, classrooms, labs, libraries, and athletic facilities. The institutions themselves repay the loans and cover administrative costs. The County Commission must approve every bond issue before the authority can act.
The two openings belong to Diana Silveira and Grace M. Smith, both completing second terms that expire Oct. 25. Their replacements will serve five-year terms beginning Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The board has existed since 1977, created under Pinellas County Resolution No. 77-601.
At least one of the board's five members must be a trustee, director, officer, or employee of a higher-education institution. Three current members already fill that designated role: Christian Moriarty, John Robinson, and David M. Monroe. That means the two open seats do not carry the higher-education requirement, widening the pool to residents with finance, legal, or other professional backgrounds.
Any county resident may apply.
The board meets monthly, usually the third Thursday at 4 p.m., at the St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, Room 1-200, 13805 58th St. N., Clearwater. Meetings are canceled when there is no business to consider.
Applications are available at pinellas.gov/boards-councils-committees. All materials submitted are subject to Florida's public records law. Questions can be directed to Jim Abernathy, budget and financial management analyst, at [email protected] or (727) 453-3278. The application deadline is 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.
