ACTIVE · BENCHMARKS IN DEVELOPMENT

St. Petersburg

Florida

The Local Government Accountability Inc is conducting an active investigation into the fiscal management and governance of St. Petersburg, Florida using the LGAI’s Six-Pillar Audit Framework. LGAI research analysts are actively reviewing St. Petersburg’s audited financial records, budgets, and staffing under the framework, and findings will be published as the review progresses.

A general election for mayor and city council is set for November 3, 2026, with a primary in August 2026; the races are officially nonpartisan. Mayor Ken Welch has announced he is seeking re-election. The candidate filing deadline is May 29, 2026.

About St. Petersburg

The City of St. Petersburg uses a strong-mayor and city-council system, with Mayor Ken Welch as chief executive.

Official website: www.stpete.org

The Election

A general election for mayor and city council is set for November 3, 2026, with a primary in August 2026; the races are officially nonpartisan. Mayor Ken Welch has announced he is seeking re-election. The candidate filing deadline is May 29, 2026.

What We’re Examining

Peer-comparison fiscal benchmarks in development.

Every LGAI investigation follows the Six-Pillar Audit Framework — fiscal audit, headcount and compensation, demographic and service-demand, procurement and contracting, technology and productivity, and political and disclosure. Findings are published as the investigation progresses.