The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority removed a Facebook post warning of major service cuts under Amendment 3, after one of its own board members accused the agency of illegally using taxpayer money to influence voters.

Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki, who also serves on PSTA’s governing board, sent CEO Brad Miller a letter Wednesday night demanding that the agency remove its Amendment 3 materials, preserve related records and account for the public money spent producing them.

By 3 p.m. Thursday, the Facebook post was gone, although PSTA’s Amendment 3 website remained online. The agency has not explained why the post was removed.

The post warned that Amendment 3 could cost PSTA 25% of its operating budget. Its graphics identified bus routes, trolley and ferry services, and transportation programs for people with disabilities that could be eliminated or significantly reduced.

Nowicki contends the agency crossed the line from informing voters to campaigning against the property tax measure.

“I believe PSTA has used public resources to influence voters against Amendment 3 in violation of section 106.113(2), Florida Statutes,” he wrote in the Sept. 30 email to Miller, obtained by the Catalyst from Nowicki.

The Catalyst contacted Miller and Chief Financial Officer Debbie Leous for comment. Amanda Boisen, PSTA’s interim communications and public relations manager, provided a statement on the agency’s behalf.

“PSTA takes Pinellas County Commissioner Vince Nowicki’s concerns seriously and is committed to following Florida election law,” the statement said. “Our intent has always been to provide factual information about our budget and services.”

PSTA said it referred Nowicki’s letter to legal counsel, is preserving related records and will respond to his public records request.

The agency said board members requested information about Amendment 3 in June and staff presented its findings at public meetings in August. PSTA did not say whether the board separately approved the social media campaign.

Nowicki argues that presenting a financial scenario to the board is not the same as receiving authorization to publicize specific service cuts.

“They’re telling a hypothetical story,” he said in a Thursday interview. “There’s been no board action to make any of those cuts if Amendment 3 passed.”

PSTA’s projections date to August, when officials outlined how a substantial reduction in property tax revenue could affect the county’s transit system.

Property taxes account for 69% of the agency’s operating budget. Leous projected a funding gap of approximately $34 million in fiscal 2029, including direct tax losses and other financial pressures.

Under the preliminary scenario, roughly 25 of PSTA’s 40 bus routes could disappear, along with as many as 120 jobs. Ferry and trolley services and transportation for riders with disabilities were also identified as vulnerable.

Nowicki acknowledged that Amendment 3 could reduce PSTA’s revenue but said the agency should explain other ways to address a shortfall.

He said he previously asked staff to include information about PSTA’s spending growth and how its budget compares with previous years. He also suggested examining administrative costs, employee benefits and furloughs before considering layoffs or route eliminations.

“Government growing too quickly is the problem,” he said.

PSTA’s August presentation examined some administrative reductions. Leous said eliminating the departments identified in her analysis would cover only about half the projected shortfall, leaving substantial reductions in transit service.

Nowicki’s letter requested records identifying who developed and approved the campaign, whether attorneys reviewed it and how much staff time and public money went into the work. He also sought the underlying financial models and alternative budget scenarios.

He gave Miller until 5 p.m. Friday to respond and said he is prepared to file a sworn complaint with the Florida Elections Commission.

Florida Statute 106.113 restricts local governments from spending public funds on certain communications concerning ballot measures, even when they contain factual information. The law makes exceptions for factual information posted on government websites, impartial reporting of official actions, public forums and responses to questions.

Whether PSTA’s communications violated the law has not been established.

Amendment 3 would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Supporters say it would reduce homeowners’ tax bills. Local governments have warned that it could leave less revenue for public services.

The dispute follows similar challenges from state Rep. Berny Jacques involving Largo and Seminole. Seminole’s City Council voted Wednesday to remove outside links critical of the amendment from its website after Jacques alleged unlawful electioneering.

PSTA’s dispute differs because its own financial projections are being challenged by a member of its governing board.

During the August presentation, PSTA planning chief Darden Rice drew her own distinction between informing voters and influencing them.

“We can’t tell people how to vote,” Rice said. “But it is important to tell people what the impacts are on public transit.”