Plus, 90s Con is coming to Tampa Convention Center.
 
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Today’s Forecast

74º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:49 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 11:16 a.m. + 10:01 p.m. | Low: 2:58 p.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 6:59 a.m. + 6:21 p.m. | Low: 12:16 p.m.
 

A new budget for Tampa

Fixing roads, adding sidewalks top of mind in Tampa’s proposed 2024 budget
Downtown Tampa from Harbor Island at sunset
Tampa will see ~150,000 new residents in the next 22 years — read about the investment in infrastructure needed to prepare. | Photo by Robert Neff
Yesterday, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor presented her plan for fiscal year 2024 to City Council. We’re diving into the proposed $1.92 billion budget, including how it will prioritize infrastructure, where the money will come from, and the next steps that will continue to shape 2024’s budget.

What will be funded

About $45 million would fund transportation, public safety, parks, and housing efforts. Here’s a closer look at those projects:
  • Roads and sidewalks will be a major priority — 40% of Tampa roads are in poor condition, and 1,300+ miles of gaps exist in city sidewalks.
  • The proposed budget calls for a $17.8 million transportation budget next fiscal year, with plans for it to go up to $22.5 million by fiscal year 2028.
  • Currently, the city can take on 30 neighborhood repaving projects every five years — the new budget would increase the load to up to 100 neighborhoods.
  • As for housing, $5.5 million would go towards homeless and vulnerable renters.
“The public is demanding that we start tackling these challenges head-on,” Mayor Castor said to City Council during this week’s meeting. Also appearing in her presentation on road and sidewalk repair: “These are needs, not wants.”

A millage rate increase

In order to deliver on these priorities, the city would increase millage rates (think: property taxes). An increase of one point was proposed, which would raise Tampa’s millage rate to 7.2076. Homeowners would pay an extra ~$19.21 a month on average, all adding up to an estimated $45 million more for the city.

Next steps

Expect negotiations and different versions of the budget before it’s finalized in October. First up: a budget workshop scheduled for Monday, August 14.
Asked

Which budget priority are you most passionate about?
A. Fixing roads
B. Adding sidewalks
C. Investing in housing
D. Police and fire rescue
Put Tampa's money where your mouth is
Events
Friday, Aug. 4
  • Bier Fest | Friday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Sept. 3 | 12 p.m.-10 p.m. | Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Dr., Tampa | $95 | The annual “slice of Bavaria” event is back, featuring more than 60 brews, live music, and German-inspired dishes — included with admission.
  • “School Of Rock” | Friday, Aug. 4-Saturday, Aug. 5 | Times vary | Murray Theatre, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater | $5-$10 | Follow Dewey Finn as he turns his straight-A pupils into full-on rock stars.
  • Bret Michaels | Friday, Aug. 4 | 7 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa | $29-$413 | The iconic 80s star brings his “Parti-Gras Tour 2023" to the outdoor venue.
Saturday, Aug. 5
  • GET FIT: Yoga in the Park | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 9-10 a.m. | Crescent Lake Park, 1320 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg | Free | The Body Electric Yoga Company leads a flow in the scenic lakefront park — register for a free Get Fit Membership.
  • Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa | Free for cardholders | The first weekend of every month, active Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders receive one free admission.
Sunday, Aug. 6
  • Sunday Summer Farmers Market | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 12-4 p.m. | Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, 6942 West Comanche Ave., Tampa | Free | Support local merchants like Java Planet, St. Pete Ferments, Queen & Colony, Mother Kombucha, and of course, Sweetwater Organic Community Farm.
  • Upstairs Downstairs Live Theater | Sunday, Aug. 6 | 2-2:30 p.m. | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $7-$12 | Step back in time and enjoy 30-minute, single-character performances that bring turn-of-the-century Tampa Bay Hotel staff members and guests to life.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Biz

Dreaming of a startup? Get your biz off the ground with this local incubator space

How to ELEVATE your business potential
Presented by a LALtoday Partner
Interior of bizjet design center with mock ups of jet interiors.
ELEVATE is an incubation space, not a long-term office or co-work opportunity, and members must meet project milestone requirements over their one-year membership. | Photo provided by ELEVATE Incubator
Forming a new business or looking to take your existing business to the next level? Enter: ELEVATE.

The cutting-edge incubator space fosters innovation, collaboration, and growth for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups in the transportation industry.

Owned and operated by the Aerospace Center for Excellence, the shared workspace community provides a dynamic ecosystem where members gain valuable resources, guidance + support to elevate their business ventures. ELEVATE offers these three membership levels:

Collaboration
  • The Collaboration level provides access to co-working spaces, networking events, and educational workshops.
Mentorship
  • Mentorship goes a step further with one-on-one guidance from industry experts, personalized mentorship programs, and exclusive mastermind sessions (think: running your business plan by an experienced CPA or speaking to a practicing attorney about business formation).
Launchpad
  • The Launchpad level is for startups looking to accelerate their growth, benefit from investor connections, pitch opportunities, and have access to specialized resources.
Membership costs range from $50-100. Learn more about membership levels and apply online.
Go from promise to product
News Notes
Development
  • Hillsborough County commissioners have voted to end an agreement to start a ferry service connecting South Hillsborough County and MacDill Air Force Base. While the ferry project has been in the works since 2013, its $75 million price tag caused commissioners to terminate the current agreement with HMS Ferries. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Festival
  • Four days of improv comedy are coming to Tampa Bay. Countdown Improv Fest will run Wednesday, Aug. 9 to Saturday, Aug. 12 in Ybor City’s HCC Ybor Performing Arts Building (1411 E. 11 Ave.). Grab tickets to catch 75+ trio, duo, and solo improv acts from performers across the country. (That’s So Tampa)
Film
  • A free community screening will be held tonight, Aug. 4 at Tampa Theatre to commemorate actor, writer, and director Paul Reubens, who died this week. The show features film + television clips, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage of the “Pee-wee Herman” actor. The screening begins at 7:30 p.m. + doors open at 6:30 p.m. (That’s So Tampa)
Plan Ahead
  • Get ready for 90s Con — a three-day celebration of 90s pop culture + icons happening Friday, Sept. 15 to Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Tampa Convention Center. Catch celebrity guests including actors from “90210,” “Boy Meets World,” and “Full House,” plus musical guests from Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync. Get tickets.
Edu
  • Did you know Southeastern University offers a robust Masters + online Bachelor’s degree program? Register for a Virtual Info Session to learn everything you need to know about the programs (think: admissions, financial aid, course work, and more).*
Job
  • We’re hiring a Branded Copywriter. This team member will directly support the strategy, creation, and placement of branded content campaigns for 6AM City’s clients, including creating dynamic content (including written articles and social) within the 6AM tone and style. Learn more + apply.
 
Kids

Grab your backpacks, scissors, and glue

4 back-to-school events in Tampa Bay this weekend
Shoppers walking past stores in a mall.
This weekend, snag a $25 gift card from Brandon Mall. | Photo via Brandon Mall
Parents with kids heading back to school, we’re pretty sure we know how you’re spending your weekend: taking advantage of the final tax-free shopping days to stock up on school supplies (which ends Sunday, Aug. 6).

Grab the whole family and make a day of it by stopping by these local events, where freebies, giveaways, and helpful resources are waiting for both parents and kids.

Back To School Bash | Saturday, Aug. 5 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Sweet Mama’s Tampa, 905 N. Tampa St. | Free | Free ice cream, haircuts, and game stations await at this celebration for students, parents, and teachers.

Brandon Mall Giveaway | Friday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 6 | Mall hours | Brandon Mall, 459 Brandon Town Center Dr., Brandon | Spend $250 at two or more Brandon Mall retailers or restaurants and get a free $25 gift card to select stores. Bonus: Kids can meet “Gabby’s Dollhouse” star Laila Lockhart at a Saturday autograph signing.
2 more back-to-school events
 
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The Wrap
 
Sarah Leonhardt in a grey sweater

Today’s edition by:
Sarah Leonhardt
From the editor
Anyone planning on getting tickets to 90s Con? The celebrity guest I would most like to meet: Holly Marie Combs of “Charmed” (I loved that show).
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