🌱 Mayor Jane Castor Pushes Property Tax Increase + Beach Advisories

Hello all. It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll learn about...

• Three beaches in the Tampa area are under a public health advisory due to high bacteria levels.
• Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is proposing double-digit tax increases for residents in Tampa in the upcoming year amid record inflation.
• East Tampa residents are frustrated with police helicopters hovering over their homes at night and brought concerns to the Tampa City Council.

But first, today's weather: An afternoon thunderstorm. High: 93 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Health department officials have issued a public health advisory for three Tampa area beaches due to high bacteria levels of enterococci bacteria as of Thursday. The three beaches are Bahia, Ben T. Davis, and Simmons Park and the public is advised to avoid swimming in the beaches until new samples are drawn. New samples will be taken next week. (WFLA)
2. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has proposed a double-digit tax rate increase and a $1.92 billion budget. The mayor says the tax increases are necessary to address growing pains. The proposal comes as Tampa and Florida face record inflation, the highest in the United States. The average homeowner in Tampa would see their tax bill rise by $230. (Tampa Bay Times)
3. A new smash and paint splatter room venue called iSmash is coming to Brandon at 863 E Bloomingdale Ave. There will be an opening celebration on Saturday, Aug. 12. All participants in activities must be 18 years or older. (That's So Tampa)
4. Barefoot Billy’s Friendly Tavern has come under new ownership, according to CL. The new name of the business will be The Friendly Tarpon Tavern. The new owner of the business has not been revealed at this time. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. East Tampa residents, including those in Seminole Heights, are fed up with Tampa Police Department helicopters hovering over their homes at night. Residents brought their concerns to the Tampa City Council. Police said the helicopters are essential to efforts to catch criminals and brought footage to support their case at the meeting, but residents said more must be done to quiet the noise disturbing them at night. (Fox 13 Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

Friday, August 4

• Apartment Industry Career Fair at Corporate Center III — International Plaza. (11 a.m.)
• GRRRLS Night! Tampa at Crowbar. (6 p.m.)
• First Friday Tasting at La Vid Wines. (7 p.m.)
• Música In Flor Fina with Kafkasso Flamenco Trio at Hotel Haya. (8 p.m.)
• Soca Reggae 1st Fridays at 82°West Distilling. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Happy birthday, Tom Brady! 🥳" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "The Countdown is on. It’s time to get your child's sleep schedule back on track. 😴 Start adjusting their bedtime now, 15 minutes earlier a night — until your child is back to their normal school bedtime." (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "📚 New Teacher Week Supporting Sponsor, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux dropped off school supplies for new teachers at Chiaramonte Elementary School. Hope you all have a wonderful school year. 😊🎉" (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "The Tampa Home Show is this weekend at Tampa Convention Center. See the latest trends, find expert advice, and turn your house into a dream home. 📅 Aug. 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Aug. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 🎟️FREE admission." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (August 11)
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Featured announcements:

• Bayshore Concierge Medicine Announces the Opening of its First Location in Tampa, FL (Details)
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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another update.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com