Newsbrief: Covid-19 pandemic in Tampa Bay, FL region causes new regulations

by Zack Brundage

Local governments in the Tampa Bay, Florida area are being forced to quickly enact new regulations in response to Covid-19 pandemic, according to Tampa Bay Times

Photo:Tampa Bay Times

In the midst of the unprecedented pandemic, local governments are having to bypass normal policies and procedures to meet quickly evolving needs in their communities. Examples of these changes include allowing city and county managers and other executives to centralize power over their areas without the need to conduct town hall meetings and obtain community input.

One example of the ability to quickly adapt local ordinances is in Oldsmar, Florida where the mayor now has the authority to limit the sale of alcohol, firearms, explosives and combustibles as well as close parks and prohibit people from eating in restaurants. When asked if he has too much authority Mayor Eric Seidel replied, “Not at all.”

In some communities the person making these decisions are not elected officials. In Safety Harbor, Fla the city manager has been given extra authority by an emergency declaration to spend money or pass regulations. City Manager Matt Spoor has been authorized, “to take whatever action is necessary to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the community.” Clearwater, Dunnedin and St. Pete Beach have related situations.

It is expected that the extended powers are only temporary and will return to normal in the future once the pandemic is brought under control.

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Zack Brundage J1 student has volunteered to write this newsbrief out of the belief that FPU students deserve good journalism at this time of crisis.