1. Kenneth T Welch was born on August 15,1964 and is an American politician serving as mayor of St Petersburg, Florida.
18 Facts About Ken Welch
1. 2.
Ken Welch was born August 15,1964, in St Petersburg, Florida.
3.
Ken Welch's father, David, is a former member of the St Petersburg city council and founded an accounting company, where Ken worked.
4.
Ken Welch attended Melrose and Bay Point Elementary, Bay Point Middle School, and Lakewood Senior High School.
5.
Ken Welch later attended University of South Florida where he studied accounting and received his bachelor's degree.
6.
Ken Welch served as Technology Manager for his father's small accounting firm.
7.
Ken Welch served on the county commission for 20 years.
8.
In October 2021, the Florida Ethics Commission found no probable cause that Ken Welch misused his position while lobbying fellow elected officials.
9.
Ken Welch ran for mayor of St Petersburg in the 2021 election.
10.
Ken Welch defeated Robert Blackmon in the general election on November 2, and was sworn in to the role on January 6,2022.
11.
Ken Welch announced the cancellation of a previous request for proposals for the Tropicana Field site where the Tampa Bay Rays play.
12.
Ken Welch said a new RFP would include a stadium for the Rays and affordable housing.
13.
Ken Welch increased the amount of down payment assistance the city offered individuals that are first-time home buyers from $40,000 to $60,000.
14.
Ken Welch established a $500 monthly stipend for lower-paid municipal employees whose positions hold residency requirements.
15.
Ken Welch advocated for the city to study the impact of Albert Whitted Airport.
16.
The Junior League of St Petersburg cancelled their Mayoral Ball, thrown for every Mayor since Rick Baker's reelection in 2006, when Ken Welch declined to attend.
17.
Ken Welch contended the pattern of attendance painted an incomplete picture, and that he stays up most nights until 9 or 10 PM "doing his homework".
18.
In July 2024, Ken Welch authorized $250,000 of bonus money to be given to 17 high ranking city employees for their role in the negotiations for a new baseball stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.