St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is criticizing Charlie Crist for calling for local property tax cuts while legislators debate property tax reform, warning that deeper cuts could threaten public safety, storm recovery and other basic services.

Welch’s comments were made in response to a video shared on social media by the Crist campaign last week.

“Charlie Crist is treating property taxes like a cable bill you can just cancel when you feel like it. The problem is these revenues fund critical services,” Welch said.

“Cities cannot run on slogans and wishful thinking. This is the type of policy proposal you get from someone who’s spent more time in Minnesota and Washington DC than someone who is listening to the community.” 

Crist, however, criticized St. Petersburg for having “the highest property tax rate in Pinellas County.”

“That’s unacceptable,” Crist said last week. “So if I win this Mayor’s race I’m committed to a 0.4 reduction in our property taxes. That’s about $14.8 million back to you, the residents of St. Pete. And you know what? Here’s the part that really matters. We will make sure we protect the funds that we need for police, fire, storm recovery — all of the essentials. That’s what I commit to you. Working families get real relief, and that’s what they deserve.”

The jab at Crist comes after Welch recently qualified for the ballot, formalizing his re-election bid for Mayor. City Council Member Brandi Gabbard, former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large, former Shore Acres Neighborhood Civic Association President Kevin Batdorf, Maria Scruggs and Paul Congemi have also filed for the race.

Crist leads Welch in funding and polling in the mayoral race, although there are plenty of undecided voters left to court in the race.

Welch has leaned into the power of incumbency and support from a tight-knit network of local leaders who say he is still the best candidate for the role.

Welch continues to push the St. Pete Agile Resilience initiative, a long-term effort aimed at accelerating stormwater, sewer and water system upgrades to protect neighborhoods from flooding.

“At a time when communities need stronger drainage systems and reliable emergency response, doubling down on deeper cuts is reckless,” Welch said. “You cannot continue cutting local revenue while expecting cities to maintain the services and infrastructure residents depend on every day.” 

Welch also argued that local first responders have warned that reducing local revenues would affect emergency response capabilities, citing local union leaders.

“Our firefighters see firsthand what it takes to keep this city safe during emergencies, storms and daily calls for service,” said Richard Pauley, President of St. Petersburg Association of Firefighters, IAFF Local 747. “Stable local funding is critical to ensuring departments have the personnel, equipment and resources needed to protect residents.” 

Sun Coast Police Benevolent Association President Jon Vazquez also raised concerns about deeper cuts.

“Property taxes are how we are paid. Property taxes are how we put food on our tables and take care of our families. Plain and simple, a drastic reduction or elimination of property taxes means that local governments will not be able to pay, equip, or train their law enforcement officers and fire personnel appropriately,” Vazquez said. 

“When someone is breaking into your house in the middle of the night or when your attic insulation catches fire, what you paid in property taxes will be the last thing on your mind.”

Welch said calls for property tax reductions should include a replacement plan.

“Without a serious replacement plan, deeper property tax cuts would leave local governments with impossible choices that ultimately hurt families and communities,” Welch said.

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Ed. Note: Michelle Todd Schorsch is the Chair of St. Pete Shines, a political committee backing Crist for St. Petersburg Mayor. Todd Schorsch is married to Peter Schorsch, the publisher of Florida Politics.