Pinellas County's largest contiguous estuarine wetland area could temporarily shut its gates if commissioners approve a proposed budget that would strip all county funding from Weedon Island Preserve by Jan. 1, 2027.

William Fehring, president of the nonprofit Friends of Weedon Island, said no state agency is positioned to step in if the county walks away from its 30-year management role.

"If you were to end the county management, there is no state agency that's been identified and none that I can think of, that would readily be able to pick up the management of the preserve anymore," Fehring told WTSP. "So you would lose, at least for some period of time, it would have to be closed."

The county administrator is scheduled to formally present the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget to the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 9 a.m. Residents can attend or submit written comments to commissioners before the presentation.

What's on the chopping block

The proposal targets $847,000 in savings from the Parks and Conservation Resources Department. Beyond Weedon Island, it would eliminate all lifeguard staffing at Fort De Soto and Sand Key beaches and cut funding for Shell Key Preserve. Both Weedon Island and Shell Key are state-owned lands the county has maintained under lease agreements.

Pinellas County has managed Weedon Island since 1995 under a 50-year lease originally secured by then-Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd. That lease allows termination at the start of any fiscal year where county funds are not appropriated for the preserve's upkeep.

Why the shortfall

Parks director Paul Cozzie attributed the cuts to state-imposed unfunded mandates, particularly required increases to pension funds for public safety and law enforcement officers, in a letter to partner organizations reported by St. Pete Catalyst on Aug. 7. The mandates left the county facing a $42 million gap for the coming fiscal year. Cozzie noted the cuts are not a final decision and remain under review as part of the budget approval process.

Commissioner Brian Scott told St. Pete Catalyst on Aug. 7 that state mandates totaled roughly $12 million this year, up from $5 million to $10 million the prior year. He described the FY2027 budget as a "dress rehearsal" for future budget pressures.

Commissioners push back

Not all commissioners support the administrator's proposal. Commissioner Vince Nowicki told St. Pete Catalyst on Aug. 7 that the cuts came from the county administrator, not elected commissioners. "There are a lot of other places to tighten our belts," he said.

State Rep. Linda Chaney (R-St. Petersburg) said she will advocate at the state level for Weedon Island funding.

What happens next

Wednesday's presentation is the first formal step. Additional budget workshops are expected before a final vote, likely in September. Commissioner Kathleen Peters, whose district includes Weedon Island, said in a prepared statement to St. Pete Catalyst on Aug. 7 that the preserve "has a very special place in my heart" and called it "a true gem for Pinellas County."

Residents who want to weigh in can attend the Aug. 12 meeting at 9 a.m. or contact their county commissioner directly.