Seminole's chamber funding dwindled. Now it's set to vanish.

SEMINOLE — The city plans to eliminate its annual grant to the Greater Seminole Area Chamber of Commerce without publicly explaining why, and supporters want the City Council to reconsider.

The chamber requested $15,000 for the 2026-27 budget year, which begins Oct. 1. City Manager Ann Toney-Deal's $36.7 million tentative budget — which maintains the property tax rate at 2.48 mills and is set for final approval Sept. 23 — includes no chamber grant, although the council has approved paying for a membership.

The tentative budget maintains $30,000 in grants to other nonprofit organizations but not the chamber, whose funding has dwindled in recent years.

The group was awarded a $20,000 grant in 2024, $10,000 in 2025 and $7,500 this year, according to Toney-Deal. The city does provide sponsorships, waived fees and in-kind services for chamber events, including Kids Appreciation Day and the Seminole Stampede.

The chamber is a private nonprofit with 300 members who represent businesses and organizations of all sizes, according to its website. Established in 1963, it provides networking opportunities, business resources and advocacy aimed at strengthening the area's economy.

At the council's Sept. 9 budget hearing, several business leaders and residents defended the chamber as worthy of support.

“There is a big difference between saying we expect more and saying we're going to stop supporting you,” Gerald J. Cachia, a former chamber board member, told council members.

The chamber promotes local businesses and connects entrepreneurs with schools, nonprofits and civic groups, said Cachia, a director of the Seminole Lake Rotary Club.

He urged the council to set goals and hold the organization accountable, rather than withdraw its grant.

“Don't walk away from the chamber,” he said. “Work with the chamber.”

Why eliminate the grant?

The reason for eliminating the grant was unclear.

Toney-Deal directed emailed questions from The Pinellas Current to a Sept. 9 budget workshop that offered no explanation. Chamber Executive Director Randi Nash-Ortiz could not be reached for comment.

During the workshop, Toney-Deal identified the city's $30,000 nonprofit grant program as one of several potential cuts if Amendment 3 — a proposed expansion of Florida's homestead property tax exemption — is approved Nov. 3.

She emphasized to council that city staff was not recommending any of the potential cuts that were presented.

The council did not specifically discuss the chamber's grant request at the workshop. Councilors decided to delay nonprofit grant award notifications until after the election.

It's unclear whether the proposed elimination is related to Amendment 3, which city leaders have repeatedly warned would impact Seminole significantly due to its high concentration of residential properties.

The city's website features an alert banner directing visitors to information about the measure.

The linked page includes statements from four professional associations opposing the amendment and copies of two news articles critical of it. There's also a Pinellas County analysis of its projected financial impact. No arguments supporting the amendment are listed.

The county's analysis estimates that Seminole would lose $1.31 million in property tax revenue in the first year and $1.94 million annually by the second year — a 34% reduction from its budgeted property tax revenue.

The Seminole Fire District, a separate taxing authority, would take an even bigger hit: About $2.8 million in the first year and $4.2 million annually by the second year, a 48% reduction.

Toney-Deal said the city had posted statements from organizations opposing the amendment but needed the city attorney’s approval before posting additional information. She said the city was limited in what it could say about the measure.

Supporters make their case

Former chamber president Claude McMullen reminded council members at their budget hearing that the organization helped lead the effort to incorporate Seminole in 1970.

“What is good for the chamber is good for the city,” he said.

Alison Bean, a Seminole resident and former chamber board member, warned that eliminating the grant would hurt local businesses.

“Defunding the chamber would be very disadvantageous to the success of the business community here,” she said.

Bean cited Kids Appreciation Day and a health expo as examples of the chamber's community involvement.

Charles W. Oldanie, a Seminole Lake Rotary Club member, also called for continued support. He recalled a time when chamber luncheons regularly drew 70 to 80 people.

Mayor Leslie Waters thanked the speakers, but did not directly address the chamber's funding.

She said organizations receiving supplemental financial support should be evaluated and invited residents to share their concerns with city officials.

Said Cachia: “If you expect more, ask for more.”