Photo by Trei Johnson
Kenneth City’s recent council meetings have been uneventful, and for this small Pinellas County Town, that marks a noticeable shift.
Agendas, minutes, and future meeting dates now appear consistently on the Town’s website. Ordinances move through formal first and second readings. Procurement items are handled through clear motions and recorded votes. Public comment is structured and timed.
In short, meetings feel predictable.
That routine tone contrasts sharply with a period of leadership turnover and public conflict that drew regional attention in recent years.
Years of Turnover
Over the last several years, The Gabber Newspaper has reported on administrative turnover and public disagreements among council members in the town of roughly 5,000 residents.
In April 2022, the council voted 3-2 to hire the management consulting firm Imagine That amid widespread staff departures. At that time, the Town had lost multiple managers, clerks, executive assistants, and its attorney was preparing to leave. The meeting drew a large crowd of residents who raised concerns about transparency and governance.
Leadership turbulence continued in April 2024. Minutes after being sworn in as mayor, Megan Zemaitis made the termination of Town Clerk Lacy LaFave her first official act. The Council voted to terminate LaFave with cause following a public meeting in which concerns were raised about educational credentials and professional conduct.
In April 2025, the Council voted to formally reprimand Council member Bonnie Noble following a special meeting focused on alleged charter violations. Town officials presented documentation alleging Noble bypassed established chains of command, accessed municipal facilities without authorization, and involved herself in operational matters reserved for administration under the town’s manager form of government. Noble did not attend the meeting and did not submit a written response prior to the vote. She later stopped attending council meetings before the end of her term and is now running for mayor in the March 10 municipal election.
Leadership changes continued later in 2025. Mayor Megan Zemaitis resigned effective Oct. 1, 2025, during a period of ongoing public disagreement within the council.
Separately, the current town manager withdrew his candidacy for a town council seat prior to accepting the appointment as town manager.
For a small municipality with limited administrative depth, repeated staffing changes can disrupt continuity quickly.
Structural Changes Underway
In recent months, however, the Town has taken visible steps to strengthen its systems.
Kenneth City is preparing to launch live-streaming of council meetings. Installation is scheduled for the week of Feb. 23. Town Manager Will Herbert told residents the Town plans to stream meetings on YouTube and said he does not expect the platform to add costs to the town. He also acknowledged ongoing microphone issues and said the same installation is intended to address audio and video performance.
In addition, the Town hired a social media coordinator to formalize public communication. During the Feb. 11 meeting, Community Engagement Specialist Demetria Coleman outlined upcoming town events and encouraged residents to use the town calendar and Facebook page to find flyers and registration information.
Photo by Trei Johnson
The Council also approved a comprehensive overhaul of its personnel policies. The updated employee handbook replaces the previous manual and includes revised probationary periods, expanded leave accrual and formal progressive discipline procedures. It also updates federal compliance standards and establishes clearer rules governing technology use, social media conduct and workplace expectations.
Together, those changes reflect a shift toward stronger administrative structure rather than reactive decision-making.
During the meeting, Council also approved acceptance of a $40,000 Florida Department of Commerce grant to develop an economic development strategy and related policy framework. Town officials said the grant work will include community workshops and deliverables tied to reimbursement milestones.
Increased Public Engagement
Attendance at council meetings has also increased.
During the Feb. 11 meeting, Council member Tony Chan noted that more residents were present. He said meetings previously drew only about three attendees. There were approximately 15 people at this month’s meeting.
Public comment focused largely on everyday issues, including county watering restrictions and questions about where streaming fits among Town priorities.
Higher turnout may reflect growing civic engagement. It may also signal increased interest ahead of the March municipal election.
Either way, more residents are showing up.
Photo by Trei Johnson
Charter Amendments on the Ballot
Voters will also decide two proposed charter amendments that directly address the town manager position, a role that has seen repeated turnover in recent years.
Under the Town’s current charter, the manager is required to hold a four-year degree and a Certified Municipal Manager (CMM) designation. The first amendment would remove those specific educational and certification requirements and allow professional experience to substitute for formal credentials.
The Town’s current manager was appointed without holding the Certified Municipal Manager designation required under the existing charter. Supporters of the amendment, including Acting Mayor Robert Arrison, have said the proposal is intended to align the charter language with the town’s current hiring structure and broaden the pool of qualified applicants.
The charter does not currently require the town manager to live within Kenneth City. The second amendment would revise the residency language to require the manager to establish residency within a defined timeframe and geographic radius after appointment.
If voters approve the amendments, the charter would formally adopt a more flexible qualification standard and clarify residency expectations for future appointments.
If voters reject the amendments, the existing charter language would remain in place. That would preserve the current educational and certification requirements and maintain the absence of a residency mandate. The town would then need to determine how to address compliance with the existing qualification standards.
Town officials have said the proposed changes are designed to improve recruitment options. Smaller municipalities often face challenges competing with larger cities that offer higher salaries and broader benefit packages.
Meet the 2026 Kenneth City Mayoral Candidates.
Decision in March
Acting Mayor Robert Arrison is seeking election to continue in the role. Former Council member Bonnie Noble is challenging him.
Both candidates have emphasized governance and transparency in public remarks. Ultimately, voters will decide whether the town’s current direction should continue or shift.
For now, recent council meetings suggest Kenneth City’s administrative systems are functioning in a more structured and predictable manner than during the height of prior instability.
The next chapter will be written at the ballot box.
Kenneth City’s next Town Council meeting is March 11 at 6:30 p.m.
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