Joining the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority team made sense for Caryn Nesmith. She has spent years as a community builder.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nesmith began her tenure as PSTA\u2019s deputy director of community affairs last month. The organization officially announced the decision July 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n
PSTA provides public transportation through bus, trolley, ferry and vanpool services. The government agency, which evolved from early 20th century streetcar lines, was officially established in 1984.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really excited by the opportunity,\u201d Nesmith explained to the Catalyst. \u201cI think that transit is such an important economic driver in our community. It really has so much impact on people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nesmith will help lead engagement initiatives and oversee public outreach efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe organization has a lot of very exciting projects coming up that work across the county,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, my role would really be to work with municipal governments and support planning efforts and the implementation of these different projects.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Currently, PSTA is developing the Tampa Bay Ferry service and the 727 Airport express route<\/a>, which will connect individuals from downtown St. Petersburg to the Tampa International Airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIn addition to helping to move forward projects, just getting the word out about the good work that PSTA does,\u201d Nesmith continued. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re also facing a lot of different, important policy impacts that could be forthcoming with the property tax vote, which will be affecting PSTA one way or another.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n According to the Florida Policy Institute, Amendment 3 \u201cwould increase the state\u2019s homestead exemption, reduce the assessment growth cap on non-homesteaded properties and create a pathway for the full elimination of non-school property taxes on homesteads.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n