People of St. Pete: Kim Amos

St. Pete is celebrated for its fabulous weather, beautiful vistas, world-class food scene, and thriving cultural atmosphere but the people of St. Pete truly make this city something special. In appreciation, each month Green Bench shines a light on one of the many people that make St. Pete unique.

Our focus this month is on Kim Amos. As the legislative aide for St. Petersburg City Council District 2, she has been helping to assist and serve the residents since February 2021. This position, however, is just her most recent contribution. Amos has worked for the city for more than two decades and has spent her entire working career contributing to the welfare of her hometown.

Hometown Love

Born and raised in St. Pete, Amos attended St. Petersburg High School, St. Petersburg Junior College, and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. “if St. Pete wasn’t in the name,’ she said. “I wasn’t interested.” After spending a few years working in the Pinellas County elementary education system, she became a full-time member of the city’s Parks & Recreation department. This decision was not without precedent. Amos grew up as part of St. Pete’s Gladden Park “family.” She took part in the many programs offered at the park, first as a participant, then as a volunteer, and next as a part-time employee during her college years. Joining the team full-time was an easy choice: “I love the city of St. Pete and parks and rec,” she said. Fast forward two decades: She began to imagine other ways in which she could contribute to the community.

Looking for New Challenges

The opportunity to become a legislative aide offered new challenges. As a legislative aide, Amos works directly with the City Council to serve the residents of St. Petersburg and help guide the city forward. Her responsibilities include scheduling and preparing research for meetings the council member may have, tracking events within the city and the district, and assisting residents with any issues they have or opinions they may wish to express. Every day, she gets a chance to do something that may help. For example, Amos is the staff liaison for the legislative affairs Intergovernmental relations (LAIR) committee. That body is tasked with tracking anything that may have an impact on St. Pete, from state-level legislation to appropriation requests.

“I’m lucky to be here.”

It’s not just the job that has Kim feeling lucky. She has witnessed a lot of changes in her hometown and thinks the city’s essential vibe still holds true. Recently engaged, she and her fiancé Asher share a 692-square-foot home near the Historic Old Northeast with the “light of their lives,” two miniature Australian Shepherds and two Maltese Poodles. Two people and four dogs are a tight fit in the tiny house, and they take full advantage of the area’s parks and waterways. Could she imagine living anywhere else? “I never say never,” Amos said, “but I can’t see myself leaving. I’m lucky to be here.”