CITY OF BELLEAIR BLUFFS

Some said it couldn't be done - others said we'd never make it". That quote from one of the city's founders was made on March 4, 1963 when a New England type town meeting was held and the Town of Belleair Bluffs on the western shore of Pinellas County was born. Meetings of the first Town Council were held in various business offices. In 1963 and in spite of objections, the Town Council approved the purchase of a building at 115 Florence Drive for $30,000 to be used as a Town Hall. The first annual Christmas tree lighting and carol sing took place at Town Hall that same year. The first budget for fiscal year 1964-65 was approved in the amount of $46,955 and the first patrol car was purchased. In 1964 there were 785 registered voters, a fire truck was purchased for $16,995 and a volunteer fire department was established with 13 volunteers. The name of the town was changed to the City of Belleair Bluffs in those early years and the city slowly increased its municipal limits until it reached it current size of just under ½ of a square mile.