Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Meeting – January 21, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County met on January 21, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m., to conduct its regular meeting. Key actions included approval of a major arena renovation agreement with the Tampa Bay Lightning (with funding from tourist development taxes), receipt of reports from the Commission on Human Trafficking, Tampa Bay Water, and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, and approval of several commissioner-sponsored items. The meeting included public comments on short-term rentals, zoning enforcement, pedestrian safety, and judicial conduct.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent agenda items A-1 through A-94 with a single motion, including items on affordable housing, aging services, capital projects, contracts, grants, and property matters.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Hartfield (former HART board appointee): Submitted his resignation from the HART board due to a residency issue, but offered to rescind if the board allowed him to serve out his term.
• Denise Herndon: Criticized the medical system's use of morphine and the handling of opioid settlement funds; called for addressing root causes of addiction.
• Tom Cobert: Defended diversity, equity, and inclusion; urged the county to treat all with dignity and respect.
• Melissa Nordbeck: Requested faster public records responses, criticized inspection practices and development decisions, and called for reversal of LDC 25-0401.
• Michelle Cuela (Baycrest resident): Described negative impacts from unregulated short-term rentals (STRs), including noise, overcrowding, safety hazards, and a petition with over a third of residents signed.
• Mark Kiddo (Baycrest): Proposed a defensible strategy to regulate STRs using occupancy limits and safety standards as done in other Florida counties.
• Samantha Freeland (Baycrest, law enforcement background): Cited a 7-10% correlation between STRs and crime, urged annual safety inspections, a 24/7 local manager, and creation of a STR task force.
• Brett Dawes (virtual): Alleged judicial misconduct in the 13th Judicial Circuit toward veterans and called for an investigation; also questioned the handling of emails by the state attorney's office.
• Leah Hayer: Opposed non-agricultural commercial uses on agricultural-restricted (AR) zoned property in Lithia, stating it threatens the rural lifestyle.
• John Housen (Baycrest): Cited a 2.1% decrease in property values in areas with high STR density and urged a 14-day minimum stay and registration fees.
• Tiffany Rentz (Wimauma): Pleaded for a traffic light at the intersection of Gate Dancer Road and El Pasco del Mar after her daughter was hit by a car and she herself was hit by a drunk driver.
• Michelle Bronner: Opposed development in AR-zoned areas and called for written notice to all affected residents when rezoning involves future land use changes.
• James Davison: Presented actuarial data showing the Indigent Health Care Trust Fund would become insolvent under low tax scenarios; urged the board to take time and get it right; also asked the county administrator to post the FY26 budget online.

Discussion Items

• B-2: Arena Renovation Agreement with Tampa Bay Lightning (10:00 a.m. time certain): The Board considered an amended and restated agreement to fund arena improvements with $250 million in county funds (from the 5th cent tourist development tax) and a $75 million private investment from the Lightning and Tampa Bay Arena LLC. The lease would be extended six years to 2043. Commissioners Miller, Boles, Myers, Cohen, and Cameron Cepeda spoke in support, citing economic impact, use of tourist taxes only, strengthened clawback provisions, and the Lightning's community investments. Commissioner Wostal expressed concerns about the 77-23% public-private split, saying it was not adequately justified, and moved to divide the question to vote separately on the percentage; the motion failed 2-5. The main motion to approve passed 7-0.
• E-1: Semi-Annual Report on Human Trafficking (10:15 a.m.): Connie Rose, Chair of the Commission on Human Trafficking, presented data showing 220 documented cases in Hillsborough County in the most recent year, a coordinated operation (Operation Dragonite) that recovered 60 critically missing children in June 2025, and a legal training for 77 legal professionals. The report noted that the county leads Florida in reported cases, but that this reflects improving identification. The Board received the report.
• E-2: Tampa Bay Water Report (10:30 a.m.): Chuck Carden, General Manager of Tampa Bay Water, reported that the agency supplies 209 million gallons per day, with Hillsborough County purchasing 80 million gallons per day as the largest customer. He highlighted upcoming projects: expansion of the surface water treatment plant, the South Hillsborough Well Field (6-12 million gallons per day), and a 26-mile pipeline in south Hillsborough County (expected online by 2028). He noted that PFAS treatment for three sites is being studied with settlement funds (estimated cost $150-200 million). Commissioner Cohen warned of upcoming phase-two water restrictions (one day per week) due to drought. The Board received the report.
• E-3: Tampa Bay Sports Commission Activity Report (10:45 a.m.): Lanness Robinson, new Executive Director, reported record results: 272,594 room nights in 2025 (up 13% from the previous year), and major events including the Women's Final Four, the NHL Stadium Series (Feb 1, 2026), and the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2029. The sportsplex has outperformed consultant projections, generating 400,000 room nights over seven years. The indoor facility at Mosey is projected to generate 44,000 room nights annually by year three. The Board received the report.
• B-1: MD Ally Telehealth Agreement: The Board approved an agreement (7-0) with MD Ally Technologies to provide a low-acuity telehealth platform integrated with 911 dispatch, allowing virtual care for non-life-threatening calls. Fire Chief Dockery stated it could reduce call volume by up to 10% (10,000-15,000 calls per year) with no cost to the county.
• B-3: CDBG-DR Program Contracts: The Board approved (7-0) three-year agreements with Ernst & Young ($61.66 million total) and BDO to implement the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program. Ernst & Young will handle infrastructure and program management; BDO will focus on housing programs. The first meeting in March is the target for CMAR agreement.
• F-1: Thonotosassa Library and Park Project: Commissioner Hagan requested a staff update on the combined library and park project. The project budget is $34.4 million ($13 million parks, $21.3 million library). Design is complete; bid is being advertised; construction is expected to start mid-2026 with completion late 2027. The new library will be 18,000 square feet (vs. current 8,000) and include a recording studio and early learning hive.
• F-2: Violation History for Zoning Reviews (Commissioner Miller): Passed 7-0 to direct staff to include a summary of pending and 12-month violation history from Code Enforcement, Development Services, and the EPC in all zoning application reviews.
• F-3: Enhanced Permitting Fees for Unapproved Operations (Commissioner Miller): Passed 7-0 to direct staff to explore options for implementing enhanced permitting fees for projects that start operation without prior approval, with the board to review any proposals before action.
• F-4: Affordable Housing Inventory Update (Commissioner Wostal): Passed 7-0 to set a public hearing for the 2026 update of the inventory of properties available for affordable housing, and to remove the Sheldon Road and Grey Pines properties from the inventory.
• F-5: HART Board Vacancy (Commissioner Wostal): Passed 7-0 to re-advertise the board's appointed seat on the Tampa-Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) for a two-week application period, following the resignation of the previous appointee due to a residency conflict.

Key Outcomes

• Arena Agreement: Approved 7-0 (moved by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Miller). Funding from 5th cent TDT only; no general fund impact. $250 million county contribution, $75 million private investment; lease extended to 2043. Commissioner Wostal's motion to divide the question on the percentage split failed 2-5.
• All consent agenda items: Approved 7-0.
• MD Ally Telehealth Agreement: Approved 7-0.
• CDBG-DR Contracts: Approved 7-0.
• F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5: All approved 7-0.
• Future Discussion: Commissioner Cohen noted that a report on short-term rental regulation is scheduled for April 15, 2026, pending legislative action.