Summary
To: Planning & Zoning Board
From: Town Staff
Date: 8/3/2026
______________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Title
Town Historian and Archivist Role
Summary:
The Town entered into an independent contractor agreement in July 2024 for Town Historian and Archivist services, which was continued through FYE 2026. This role has proven to be a strategic and timely initiative aligned with both the Town’s centennial celebration and its broader historic preservation goals. Originally funded through management internship allocations set aside in the prior budgets, this position has already demonstrated considerable value and community impact in a relatively short time. As we near the expiration of this funding on September 30, 2026, staff is seeking input from the Planning and Zoning Board to consider the importance of continuing this role.
Items to Consider:
1. Unprecedented Community Engagement and Support
The response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Interest in our town’s history has surged, with the public eager to contribute their own family histories and participate in centennial programming. This role has served as a vital liaison between the past and the present, deepening the town’s identity and sense of place.
2. Significant Progress with Tangible Outcomes
The Historian has already made substantial headway in several areas:
o Digitization of archives, making them more accessible to staff, researchers, and soon to the public.
o Compilation of a comprehensive town history, filling critical gaps in our institutional memory.
o Securing a historical marker through the Pinellas County Historic Preservation Board.
o Creating a new historic trolley tour which sold out within one week.
3. Strategic Alignment with Long-Term Goals
The town’s strategic plan outlines historic preservation as a core objective. This role directly supports this priority by:
o Ensuring proper stewardship of our historical resources.
o Informing planning and zoning decisions with historical context.
o Promoting public engagement and education, which can have lasting cultural benefits.
4. Ongoing Work
The scope of historical research, archival maintenance, and community engagement is far from complete. Without a dedicated professional, the momentum risks being lost, and high-impact initiatives may not be completed.
End
Body
Previous Commission Action: Adoption of the Strategic Plan in February of 2021 specifically identifies historic preservation objectives and action items.
Expenditure Challenges: The Management Intern position has been deleted from the 2026-2027 budget. Staff believes the Historian & Archivist position could be shifted to the Building Department, considering the depth of Certificates of Appropriateness, historic registry, and Certified Local Government work this position performs.
Recommendation: Staff are seeking the board’s recommendation regarding the continuance of this role.