City of Clearwater
A contemporary town by any measure. Yet, it retains much of small town Florida charm that has made it so popular with its residents and visitors.
Mission Statement:- Provide cost effective municipal services and infrastructure;
- Facilitate development of the economy; and
- Support a high quality of life and experience.
Clearwater will be a uniquely beautiful and vibrant community...
- That is socially and economically diverse;
- That invests for the future; and
- That is a wonderful place to live, learn, work, visit and play.
Location
Situated in the central Pinellas County, Florida- latitude 27.57 North and longitude 82.48 West - on the west side of Tampa Bay and is the smaller of the three largest cities that make the Tampa Bay area. The population within the 25 square mile track is estimated to be about 115,000 people with a population density of about 4,500 people per square mile.
Brief History
Historically, the area had been the home of an Indian tribe called Tocobagan. In 1835 during the Seminole wars, the U.S. army constructed Fort Harrison as an outpost on a bluff in the harbor. The first settlements can be traced back to 1841, after Fort Harrison was established.
It was first incorporated in the year 1891. With the building of Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa by Henry B. Plant in 1897, so begin its fame as a popular tourist destination. This resort was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
Until 1906, the area was called as Clearwater Harbor. As a matter of interest, its name seems to have come from a freshwater spring that flows, adjacent to which the present City Hall building is located today.
The mainland and the Beach, separated by the harbor, were connected by roadway and bridge in 1915. For the second time, it was incorporated in the year 1915. The region has continued to gain its reputation as a wonderful residential community as well as an outstanding tourist destination.
Governance
Downtown
A Council-Manager form of governance administers Clearwater. The administrative set up includes the City Council, City Manager and the various departments.
Downtown
The city council consists of the Mayor, a number of Council members. These elected positions hold the post for a four-year term. The principal duty of the Council is to carry out the responsibilities imposed by the State Law, Ordinances and Charter of the city consitent with it Vision and Mission Statments.
The Council is the authority in policy and decision making with respect to various local government issues like tax rates, property code variances, annexations and sanctioning large contracts, besides setting budget and evaluating the performance of the City Manager and City Attorney.
Downtown
The Manager functions as Administrative Officer. He/she is a professional administrator duly appointed by the Council to discharge the day-to-day operations. The Manager’s primary task is to effectively implement the policies designed by the Council.
