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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors Meeting, March 5, 2026

Hillsborough County Archive View Page — Thursday, March 5, 2026

BodyHillsborough County, Florida

SessionHillsborough County Archive View Page

DateThursday, March 5, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:06:13

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:19

Oh, yeah.

0:21

Good morning, everyone.

0:23

Uh, it's 9 30, and we will now open the meeting of Tampa Bay Waters uh Board of Directors for today, Monday, February 23rd.

0:33

The meeting was noticed in the Florida Administrative Register and on the Tampa Bay Water website.

0:38

The meeting is available for viewing through live streaming, and a recording of the meeting will be posted on the agency's website.

0:45

I want to note that David Jackson, Deputy General Counsel, will be sitting in for Kelly at today's meeting.

0:52

At this time, I'm going to ask our vice chair, Lizette Hanowitz to please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:00

Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:08

One nation under God.

1:17

All right, at this time, uh, I'm going to ask Krista to please call the role.

1:26

Vice Chair Hanowitz.

1:27

Here.

1:28

Commissioner Eggers?

1:29

Here.

1:29

Mayor Davis.

1:30

Here.

1:31

Councilman Miranda.

1:34

Commissioner Oakley.

1:35

Here.

1:36

Commissioner Waiteman.

1:37

Present.

1:37

Commissioner Wolstall.

1:41

And Commissioner Peters.

1:43

Here.

1:45

Avaquorum.

1:48

Okay, thank you very much.

1:50

At this time we are going to move on to public comment.

1:54

We have three minutes allotted per speaker.

1:56

We have one person who has signed up to speak this morning, and that is David Ballard Geddes Jr.

2:03

Good morning.

2:07

Hi, good morning.

2:08

Uh David Ballard Geddes Jr.

2:11

I live on Georgia Avenue in Palm Harbor.

2:14

House Bill 479 and Senate Bill 718 decommissions the county government and replaces it with an interlocement invoking statute 163.01.

2:32

As implied, the bill serves as an acquisition notice to the county and interlocally transfers the county functions and powers as recognized in Pinellis County Home Rule Charter, Section 2.04Q in the aiding and abetting of an internal foreign entity dissolving, liquidating the county, and simultaneously it shapeshifts the local and municipal municipal city and uh governments into individual watershed jurisdictions, usurping the powers of government as constitutionally gerrymandered under the 14th amendment.

3:20

Using a quid pro quo agreement with the water district, the bill internally manifests and insurrects an internal foreign legal entity giving rise to water despots, wholly intent on adjudicating against the civilian population intent on holding, acquiring, selling, and disposing of our property and development rights that they claim as their right to claim eminent domain against the residents, claiming that they have all powers and privileges materialized under Chapter 159 of the Florida State statutes without giving notice to the homeowner in their development practices and their backbiting infrastructure schemes as they intend on constitutionally formulating and methodically contriving against the residents of this town.415 section 16F.

4:40

This entity is claiming that they're able to assess taxes of any kind whatsoever in financing their levies and user fees, such as reclaimed water availability fees and such, and they intend to contrive annual inspection charges for future reclaimed water toilet inspection fees.

5:02

This rebellious entity, they claim that they are themselves exempt from laws that they intend on imposing on others.

5:11

And they claiming that we are contri or that we are obliged to pay their contrived indebted indebtedness, and at the same time, this legal foreign entity is claiming their rights to take our liberty and our property again under the 14th Amendment.

5:32

House Bill 479 and Senate Bill 718 decommissions our current government grants insurrects aids and abeds a third-party political usurpation of foreign legal entity in our government, and it's claiming rights to take everything that we own under the 14th Amendment and place us in bondage.

5:54

Thank you.

5:57

Thank you very much.

5:58

Let's note for the record that Commissioner Wastall joined us.

6:02

Thank you.

6:03

At this time, we at this time.

6:08

Well at this time, uh, we're going to move on to the consent agenda.

6:14

Move for approval.

6:15

Second.

6:16

We have a motion for approval from Mayor Davis and a second from Councilwoman Hanowitz.

6:22

Please record your vote.

6:39

Motion carries unanimously.

6:41

Thank you very much.

6:43

Moving on to the regular agenda, we are going to start with item B1.

6:46

Mr.

6:47

Carton.

6:48

Thank you, Mr.

6:49

Chair and members of the board.

6:50

Good morning to all.

6:52

I'm going to start with the regional system and talk a little bit about the drought, and then Warren Hogg's gonna join me and walk us through a few slides as well.

7:04

Through the end of January, uh the system is averaging about almost 204 million gallons a day, which is 4.1% higher than this uh same time uh delivery last year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████████████29%

Audit███████████████████19%

Technology and Innovation████████████12%

Procedural██████6%

Legislative Updates██████6%

Personnel Matters█████5%

Community Engagement█████5%

Environmental Protection█████5%

Public Engagement████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors Meeting, March 5, 2026

The board met to discuss drought conditions, legislative updates, a performance audit, water quality treatment costs, demand forecasts, and officer elections. The meeting included public comment, consent agenda, regular agenda items, and a private attorney-client session.

Public Comments & Testimony

David Ballard Geddes Jr. spoke against House Bill 479 and Senate Bill 718, alleging they would decommission county government and create water districts with eminent domain powers. Staff later noted these bills have not moved and are likely dead.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

Regional System Update (B1): System averaging 204 million gallons per day, 4.1% higher than last year. The region is under severe drought with one-day-per-week watering restrictions since February 8. Reservoir storage at 7.56 billion gallons (half capacity), expected to drop to 1.5–2 billion by dry season end. Groundwater pumping may approach permit limits.
Legislative and Grant Funding Update (B2): State legislative session in final two weeks. PFAS-related bill moving; bills on municipal service outside boundaries are under consideration. Federal update: 11 of 12 FY26 appropriations bills passed; Tampa Bay Water is seeking $200 million authorization and community funding projects for surface water treatment plant expansion and South Hillsborough initiatives.
2025 Performance Audit and Management Study (B3): Caplan & Associates presented findings. Agency rated high-functioning with 11 recommendations: develop overlapping employment strategy for high-risk roles, create knowledge retention processes, explore shared service agreements, expand career ladders, develop leadership programs, standardize KPIs with dashboards, consolidate IT systems, formalize AI policy, improve asset management, create business continuity plan, and establish a financial working group with member governments. Board members discussed IT consolidation, succession planning, and financial communication. Staff will present an implementation plan in April.
Attorney-Client Session Request (B4): Board voted unanimously to hold two attorney-client sessions regarding litigation with Polk Regional Water Cooperative and Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Member Government Report (D1): Hillsborough County reported 40 miles of new water main, 37 miles of wastewater pipe, nine lift stations, and 362 manholes added since January 2025. Staff community activities included a United Way barbecue, backpack drives, and career academy tours. During a drought, the county provided bottled water and a hydration station for private well owners in Dover. Water demand spikes during the Super Bowl were noted. A Florida-friendly landscaping rebate program is underway.
Audit Report (D2): Maldon & Jenkins issued an unmodified opinion on FY2025 financial statements. No audit findings. Revenues increased due to water sales, investment income, and PFAS litigation recoveries. Operating expenses rose with capital projects. Total debt increased with new bond issuances.
Water Quality Update (D3): Staff presented PFAS and TOC treatment recommendations. Phase 1 PFAS treatment at three locations: ~$190 million capital, $3 million/year O&M. Phase 1 TOC treatment at two locations: ~$50 million capital, $4 million/year O&M. Phase 2 TOC treatment (seven locations): ~$340 million capital, $13–14 million/year O&M. Regulatory uncertainty exists; planning and design may proceed but construction will wait for clarity on EPA limits. Board member Peters urged exceeding the EPA limit of 4 parts per trillion for PFOS. Staff noted current levels are 4–6 ppt and that blending at member treatment plants lowers concentrations for customers.
Demand Forecast Update: Annual forecast shows 2045 demand increase of ~9 million gallons per day over last year. Next fiscal year delivery forecast is 212.84 million gallons per day, up 3 MGD from the current budget. Fastest growth in South Hillsborough and Pasco counties. The data informs budgeting and master water planning. The next water supply source is needed around 2028 (surface water treatment plant expansion), with feasibility studies for subsequent supply due by end of 2027.

Key Outcomes

Elected Lizette Hanowitz as Chair and Seth Waiteman as Vice Chair, effective after the meeting.
Voted unanimously to approve two attorney-client sessions (March 5 and April 20, 2026) for litigation strategy.
Unanimously approved the consent agenda.
Received and filed all reports.
Staff directed to return in April with an implementation plan for performance audit recommendations.
Board to consider approval of Phase 1 water quality treatment projects in April.

The meeting then adjourned to a private attorney-client session.

Meeting Transcript

Oh, yeah. Good morning, everyone. Uh, it's 9 30, and we will now open the meeting of Tampa Bay Waters uh Board of Directors for today, Monday, February 23rd. The meeting was noticed in the Florida Administrative Register and on the Tampa Bay Water website. The meeting is available for viewing through live streaming, and a recording of the meeting will be posted on the agency's website. I want to note that David Jackson, Deputy General Counsel, will be sitting in for Kelly at today's meeting. At this time, I'm going to ask our vice chair, Lizette Hanowitz to please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God. All right, at this time, uh, I'm going to ask Krista to please call the role. Vice Chair Hanowitz. Here. Commissioner Eggers? Here. Mayor Davis. Here. Councilman Miranda. Commissioner Oakley. Here. Commissioner Waiteman. Present. Commissioner Wolstall. And Commissioner Peters. Here. Avaquorum. Okay, thank you very much. At this time we are going to move on to public comment. We have three minutes allotted per speaker. We have one person who has signed up to speak this morning, and that is David Ballard Geddes Jr. Good morning. Hi, good morning. Uh David Ballard Geddes Jr. I live on Georgia Avenue in Palm Harbor. House Bill 479 and Senate Bill 718 decommissions the county government and replaces it with an interlocement invoking statute 163.01. As implied, the bill serves as an acquisition notice to the county and interlocally transfers the county functions and powers as recognized in Pinellis County Home Rule Charter, Section 2.04Q in the aiding and abetting of an internal foreign entity dissolving, liquidating the county, and simultaneously it shapeshifts the local and municipal municipal city and uh governments into individual watershed jurisdictions, usurping the powers of government as constitutionally gerrymandered under the 14th amendment. Using a quid pro quo agreement with the water district, the bill internally manifests and insurrects an internal foreign legal entity giving rise to water despots, wholly intent on adjudicating against the civilian population intent on holding, acquiring, selling, and disposing of our property and development rights that they claim as their right to claim eminent domain against the residents, claiming that they have all powers and privileges materialized under Chapter 159 of the Florida State statutes without giving notice to the homeowner in their development practices and their backbiting infrastructure schemes as they intend on constitutionally formulating and methodically contriving against the residents of this town.415 section 16F. This entity is claiming that they're able to assess taxes of any kind whatsoever in financing their levies and user fees, such as reclaimed water availability fees and such, and they intend to contrive annual inspection charges for future reclaimed water toilet inspection fees. This rebellious entity, they claim that they are themselves exempt from laws that they intend on imposing on others. And they claiming that we are contri or that we are obliged to pay their contrived indebted indebtedness, and at the same time, this legal foreign entity is claiming their rights to take our liberty and our property again under the 14th Amendment. House Bill 479 and Senate Bill 718 decommissions our current government grants insurrects aids and abeds a third-party political usurpation of foreign legal entity in our government, and it's claiming rights to take everything that we own under the 14th Amendment and place us in bondage. Thank you. Thank you very much. Let's note for the record that Commissioner Wastall joined us. Thank you. At this time, we at this time. Well at this time, uh, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. Move for approval. Second. We have a motion for approval from Mayor Davis and a second from Councilwoman Hanowitz. Please record your vote.

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