Listen, we get it — even with a brilliantly-constructed, whip-smart local newsletter landing in your inbox each morning, it can be hard to keep track of all the updates happening in Tampa Bay.

Btw, we're the brilliantly-constructed, whip-smart local newsletter. We needed to make that clear.

That's why we're sharing three civic updates today that we think you should have on your radar. 👇

Tampa's 2024 budget

Wanna learn about where the city's money could go in the upcoming fiscal year (which begins Sunday, Oct. 1)? Attend the Budget in Action meeting tomorrow, Aug. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., to learn more and voice your opinion. You'll also be able to connect with city staff from different departments, explore neighborhood plans, and obtain resources. Bonus: the meeting is totally free to attend — just RSVP online.

Currently, the proposed budget comes in at $1.92 billion and features a 16% property tax increase; updates to parks, sidewalks, and roads; increased affordable housing; and more police officers + firefighters.

You can also attend a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 5 or Tuesday, Sept. 19, when city council will vote on the budget.

St. Pete seeks citizens

The City of St. Petersburg is seeking locals to fill spots on various boards and committees:

Advisory Commission on Aging
Board of Trustees of Police Pension Fund
Committee to Advocate for Persons with Impairments
Civilian Police Review
Development Review Commission
Investment Oversight

Apply online, and learn more details on how to join via our previous article.

Parking lot conversations

It seems local city planners just listened to "Big Yellow Taxi."

As originally reported by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, local organizations and planners are discussing the downtown area's high number of parking lots and how much they are used (6,000 of 24,000 parking spaces remain unused at peak times, for instance).

Right now, Tampa City Council is working with the Mobility Department and Parking Division on a Parking Master Plan that addresses the parking issue. Discussions + plans like these come as Tampa works to become more pedestrian-friendly.