At its most recent meeting, the Pinellas County Commission opened a discussion about selling naming rights for public assets. Chair Dave Eggers noted that the county is facing tighter budgets and a desire to keep taxes down, so exploring private‑sector contributions could help fund essential services.
Current policies already allow sponsorships
Pinellas County already has a sponsorship policy that permits the sale of exclusive naming rights for a public venue or asset in exchange for significant financial support. Any agreement must include an expiration date and receive Commission approval, regardless of the amount involved. The policy also allows staff to solicit sponsorships for services, projects, events, and other activities.
How much would a donor need to give?
Eggers illustrated the range of possible contributions. “If you have a $10 million facility and you’re giving $100, that’s one thing,” he said. “If you’re a $10 million facility and you’re giving $5 million, that’s another thing.” He later joked, “Hey, for $300 million we’ll let somebody name our new county campus,” underscoring that the conversation is about both modest and substantial gifts.
Expanding existing naming‑right options
Commissioner Rene Flowers suggested that the county could broaden its current rules, which require a deceased honoree to have been dead for at least five years before a building can be named in their honor. Flowers pointed to St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater, which carries the Duke Energy name under a long‑term agreement, as a model for a time‑bound commercial naming arrangement.
Beyond buildings: potential for commercial use of facilities
Board members also debated whether recreational sites in Pinellas Park that already host food and beverage vendors could be leveraged for additional revenue. The new county government campus was mentioned as a possible venue for events that connect the public sector with local businesses, even though the campus was not originally designed for extensive commercial tenancy.
No deals on the table yet
At present, no naming‑rights contract is before the Commission, and no policy changes were adopted during the meeting. Instead, the board voted to place the issue on the agenda for a fall workshop, where staff will present options and the commissioners will decide whether to pursue more aggressive use of the existing sponsorship framework.
Why this matters for Pinellas residents
By tapping private dollars, the county hopes to offset budget shortfalls without raising taxes, a priority for many families who rely on county services such as road maintenance, public safety, and parks. The approach aligns with a broader trend among local governments to seek innovative financing while preserving the public good.
“I think there are some opportunities out there,” Eggers concluded. “Hopefully we can get that.”
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
