Seminole council: Incumbents and IT founder face off in tight race

Three candidates are competing for two open seats on the Seminole City Council. The race pits incumbent Ray Beliveau and Kadi Hendricks Tubbs against Mike Lurie, a local IT entrepreneur and business owner. All three candidates responded to questions from the Tampa Bay Beacons regarding their backgrounds, priorities, and views on local fiscal challenges.

Beliveau has lived in Seminole for 38 years and serves as the 1st Vice President for the Suncoast League of Cities. A Navy veteran and mechanical engineering graduate, he worked as a manufacturing engineer and manager before retiring. He described his role as leading by example, citing his maintenance of debt-free city budgets and his support for the PSTA bus route 58.

Tubbs has resided in Seminole since 1978. She is a local real estate broker, property manager, and former television news reporter. She serves as president of the nonprofit Operation: Military Matters, which has shipped more than 14,000 care packages to deployed service members. She was appointed to the council in March 2026. She emphasized her business background and journalism experience as tools for budget evaluation and transparent communication.

Lurie, a 47-year resident of Seminole, founded Oakhurst Technology and Computer Services in 2001 and sold it in 2016. He now manages a family commercial real estate business with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%. He served as president of the Rotary Club of Seminole during the 2024 hurricane season and led water and ice distribution efforts on the barrier islands after Hurricane Helene.

The candidates identified distinct immediate challenges for the city. Beliveau pointed to the aging and undersized stormwater system, noting that funding repairs through fees and grants requires careful prioritization. He credited the Public Works team and a capable consultant for meeting this challenge. Lurie cited Amendment 3 as the primary issue, arguing that the city’s current low millage rate leaves little room for mandated spending cuts if the amendment passes.

Tubbs identified balancing infrastructure and public safety needs with manageable costs as the top challenge. She stated that the city must examine spending carefully and consider ongoing operating costs before making commitments. She highlighted the need for clear priorities and realistic budgets to protect residents and businesses.

Looking at the next three years, Beliveau listed the replacement of the aging recreation center, the construction of an additional fire station in the Bay Pines area, and the modernization of the Repetto property. Lurie focused on disaster preparedness, specifically hardening stormwater infrastructure, and balancing the budget against state defunding trends. He also emphasized the need for local rule, arguing that the state legislature is eroding local decision-making power.

Tubbs prioritized maintaining public safety services and completing the Bay Pines fire station. She also cited the need to improve stormwater infrastructure to reduce flooding risks and to responsibly manage community investments including the recreation center and Veterans Circle of Honor. She stressed affordability as a key factor in all three areas.

Regarding Amendment 3, Beliveau proposed reviewing reduced funding against various services and considering non-ad valorem taxes for fire, parks, parking, waste collection, and recreation. He suggested potential cuts to library hours, parks availability, and public works projects. Lurie said the city already plans to reduce nonessential services to preserve policing and fire rescue, potentially adding non-ad valorem assessments if a shortfall occurs.

Voters will choose two of the three candidates in the upcoming election. The council currently discusses the financial impact of the state tax amendment while managing ongoing infrastructure projects.