Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – December 18, 2025

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on December 17, 2025, but the user-provided date of December 18, 2025, is used in the title per instructions. The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. and included commendations, public comments, several public hearings, and approval of major contracts and policy items.

Commendations

• Andrew Emerton – Recognized by Commissioner Boles for founding Breathe Florida, a nonprofit that has raised over $10,000 and certified 63 cadets in CPR at Brandon High School after his own cardiac arrest in October 2024.
• Sun City Center Emergency Squad – Recognized by Commissioner Miller for 60 years of service, responding to nearly 4,000 ambulance calls annually, all volunteer, saving the county an estimated $4.5 million per year. The squad was named 2025 Volunteer EMS Service of the Year by EMS World and NAEMT.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items A-1 through A-184, minus A-5 pulled for discussion) with a 7-0 vote.
• Included routine approvals for grants, contracts, budget amendments, land acquisitions, and policy updates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Regency Cove residents (12 speakers) – Expressed urgent need for a $3.76 million grant to replace the electrical infrastructure destroyed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many are seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, or disabled; a special assessment of $10,000–$15,000 per unit would force displacement. Thanked the board and staff for considering the project.
• Marie Gilmore – Supported preservation of the Moseley Homestead and thanked the board for supporting the Brandon Parade of Lights.
• Mark Proctor and Dr. Lori Collins (Timberly Trust) – Described careful preservation work at the Moseley Homestead, including a partnership with Portillo’s for visitor access, and proposed an Eco Center and creative studio instead of a community center.
• Denise Herndon – Urged mandatory CPR education in high schools and criticized the Sheriff’s Office and Commissioner’s decisions on an arts center.
• Dave Smith – Alleged misconduct by the Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney regarding his wife’s murder case.
• Todd Josko (NAIOP Tampa Bay) and Cammy Corbett – Expressed disappointment with the lack of transparency in the impact fee increase process and requested a phase-in period.

Discussion Items

• D-1 (10:00 a.m.) – Public hearing on the Program Year 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for HUD grants. The report detailed services to 6,332 low- to moderate-income households (2,465 CDBG, 156 HOME, 4,011 ESG). No public comment; approved 7-0.
• D-2 (10:00 a.m.) – Public hearing to transfer property rights within the Stacy R. White Preserve (ELAPP) to the Water Resources Department for the One Water project. The transfer includes $374,893 for habitat restoration. Approved 7-0.
• D-3 (10:00 a.m.) – Public hearing on water and wastewater impact fee increases. The proposed increase in the South/Central Service Area was 126% (from $5,865 to $13,270 per ERU) due to extraordinary growth and construction cost escalation (pipeline costs up 200%, wastewater treatment up 300%). Commissioners discussed five phase-in options. After debate, the board approved option 5: a four-year phase-in for South/Central (mirroring the Northwest service area’s two-year water/four-year wastewater approach) and immediate implementation for new applicants after 90 days, while protecting those already in the development queue. The vote was 7-0 (two-thirds requirement met).
• B-5 (10:15 a.m.) – Authorized a $1.5 billion aggregate line of credit (subordinate utility revenue note) with Bank of America for the One Water Campus project. Debt service of ~$9.5 million per year will be paid from water/wastewater system revenues. Approved 7-0.
• B-6 (10:15 a.m.) – Approved a $224.6 million increase (to $352.96 million) for the Garney Companies design-build contract for the One Water South Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Project. DM/DWBE participation reached 15.66% (goal 14%). Approved 7-0.
• B-7 (10:15 a.m.) – Approved a $3 million increase (to $12.28 million) for Carollo Engineers’ professional services for the same program. DM/DWBE participation reached 14.98% (goal 10%). Approved 7-0.
• E-1 (10:30 a.m.) – Received the 2025 activity report from Craig Richard, President/CEO of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. Highlights: 29 closed projects, 2,280 new jobs, $275 million capital investment, exceeded fundraising goals ($2.8 million raised), and international missions.
• B-1 (10:45 a.m.) – Accepted the Library Materials Management Audit Report #2025-20 from the County Internal Auditor. Approved 7-0.
• B-2 – Approved a mobility fee alternative satisfaction agreement and land conveyance for the realignment of Old Big Bend Road in Riverview. Developers will bear costs; 70% credited against mobility fees. Approved 7-0.
• B-3 – Approved $250,000 in capital funding for Faith Action Ministry Alliance (FAMA) to complete site work for a modular classroom at Grant Park Christian Academy, serving 60+ children. Included an exception for $56,659 in pre-agreement costs. Approved 7-0.
• B-4 – Authorized advertising a request for proposals for a new equestrian facility at Northwest Equestrian Park, in exchange for conveyance of the existing Bakas Equestrian Center. The RFP includes deed restrictions, trail protections, and added security quarters. Approved 7-0.
• A-5 (pulled from consent) – Approved $3,764,341 for Regency Cove’s electrical infrastructure replacement. Staff explained that other mobile home parks in South County were ineligible due to FEMA restrictions or excessive elevation costs. Commissioner Miller expressed concern about lack of transparency but voted in favor. Motion carried 6-0 (Commissioner Miller abstained?; the chair announced 6-0).
• Commissioner Items (F-1 through F-4) – All approved: F-1 (scope change for $20,000 to Tampa Bay Community Network), F-2 ($100,000 sponsorship for Sigma Gamma Rho 2026 Biennial Boule), F-3 ($5,000 sponsorship for Be Out Day Tampa Bay), and F-4 (directing the County Attorney to challenge the constitutionality of the Live Local Act). F-4 passed 7-0.
• G-1 – Staff report on the Historic Moseley Homestead. The board directed the Timberly Trust to submit a 90-day plan (by March 31, 2026) detailing a proposed change in scope (Eco Center and creative studio), with bids and pre-permitting. Approved 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the CAPER for HUD submittal (7-0).
• Approved property rights transfer for One Water project with $374,893 in compensation (7-0).
• Approved water/wastewater impact fee increases with a four-year phase-in for South/Central, immediate for Northwest, and protection for projects already in the queue (7-0).
• Authorized up to $1.5 billion line of credit for One Water Campus (7-0).
• Approved $224.6 million construction contract modification and $3 million engineering contract modification for One Water (7-0 each).
• Accepted the EDC annual report.
• Accepted the Library Materials Management audit.
• Approved the mobility fee agreement for Old Big Bend Road (7-0).
• Approved $250,000 capital funding for FAMA (7-0).
• Authorized RFP for equestrian facility (7-0).
• Approved $3.76 million housing grant for Regency Cove (6-0).
• Approved all commissioner items, including litigation against the Live Local Act (7-0).
• Directed the Moseley Homestead trust to submit a plan by March 31, 2026 (6-0).
• Rescinded and re-voted on consent items A-7 and A-8 from the November 5 meeting, passing 6-1 (Commissioner Wostal dissenting).