Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting - September 2, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The meeting included a commendation for the Mack Parkman Foundation, public comments on several topics, multiple public hearings, and approval of major financial and policy items. Key actions included the adoption of a short-term vacation rental registration ordinance, approval of a $586 million modification to a wastewater treatment project contract, authorization of up to $700 million in utility revenue bonds, and a 5-2 vote to increase stormwater assessment rates.

Commendation

• The Board recognized the Mack Parkman Foundation for its work on brain injury awareness and its upcoming third annual International Summit on Repetitive Brain Trauma. Commissioner Bowles presented the commendation, and foundation representatives spoke about the importance of addressing repetitive brain trauma in sports and veterans.

Consent Calendar

• The Board approved the consent agenda with a 7-0 vote. The consent agenda included numerous routine items such as subordination agreements, interlocal agreements, contract modifications, budget amendments, and procurement awards. Notable items included the approval of land acquisition for the Alafia North Prong Preserve, settlement of a consent order with the Florida Department of Health, and authorization to issue a public hearing for adding projects to the Community Investment Tax Phase IV.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joseph Mulberger (Veterans Council of Hillsborough County) thanked the Board for approving a $20,000 grant for the council and noted the council's alliance with the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance.
• Colonel DJ Reyes (retired U.S. Army) requested the Board’s favorable consideration to use four acres adjacent to Veterans Memorial Park for affordable transitional veteran housing, citing the high veteran population in Hillsborough County and existing community support services.
• Linda Grabowski spoke in favor of increasing stormwater fees if the money is used to hire experts and restrict new building in flood-prone areas, noting that development should respect the limits of stormwater capacity.
• Denise Herndon commented on multiple issues: she criticized county spending on the Rays stadium, questioned the bed tax allocation, and raised concerns about lake drainage and lack of maintenance.
• Sergret Doss supported additional funding for veteran services, criticized the lack of attorney support for veterans, and urged the Board to prioritize veterans over the stadium.
• Hannah Schultz opposed the short-term vacation rental ordinance, arguing that the $200 annual fee and registration requirements unfairly burden small property owners while large corporations can absorb the costs.
• Several speakers (Aviva Injulez, Molly Finkel, Alon Giovanni, Edith Lothringer, Anat, Lauren Prager) expressed support for continued funding of the Florida Israel Business Accelerator (FIBA), emphasizing its economic impact, job creation, and role in bringing international investment to Hillsborough County.
• Bruce Harker opposed FIBA funding, arguing the money should be redirected to local needs such as bus stop shelters and criticized the County's ties to Israel.
• Samantha Freeland and Mark Kiddo spoke during the short-term rental public hearing, thanking the Board for the ordinance but urging inclusion of mandatory life safety inspections before registration, citing fire risks and neighborhood disruptions.
• Greg Namey also spoke on the short-term rental ordinance, supporting it but requesting an early inspection requirement for registered properties.
• Charlotte Butler, Tracy Thompson, and Robert Mendenhall testified during the stormwater assessment public hearing, questioning the methodology used to calculate impervious surface and fees, arguing that large agricultural properties are over-assessed while actual impervious areas are not accurately measured.

Discussion Items

• B3 – Fifth Modification to Progressive Design-Build Agreement with Garney Companies: Approved 7-0. The modification increased the contract amount by $586 million to $1.08 billion for the One Water South Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Project, authorizing GMP-4 for the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and additional pipeline work. The first phase completion in 2028 remains unchanged. DM/DWBE participation has reached 23.88%.
• B4 – First Modification with Jacobs Engineering Group: Approved 7-0. This added $7.23 million for final design and permitting of the South County Drinking Water Facility, bringing the total to $9.94 million.
• B2 – Supplemental Resolution for Utility Revenue Bonds: Approved 7-0. Authorized the issuance of up to $700 million in Series 2026A (for capital improvements) and Series 2026B (refunding 2016 bonds) revenue bonds. The refunding is expected to generate net present value savings of 4.075% ($650,000). Staff noted that Standard & Poor’s upgraded the water bonds to AAA.
• D1 – Public Hearing on ELAPP Preserve Easement: Approved 7-0. Granted a perpetual easement and temporary construction easement on the Jeanie and Pete Johnson ELAPP Preserve to install a water recharge well for the South Hillsborough Aquifer Recharge Program (SHARP). Also approved the related resolution and third amendment to the lease with SWFWMD.
• D2 – Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration Ordinance: Approved 7-0. The ordinance requires registration of short-term vacation rentals, operational requirements (including a local responsible party, affidavit of compliance, and authorization for inspections), and establishes a fee schedule. Commissioner Cohen noted the ordinance will take effect January 1, 2027, and that staff will monitor implementation and return with a report after 90 days. A companion item B1 (fee resolution) was also approved 7-0.
• D3 – Cross Connection and Backflow Control Ordinance: Approved 7-0. The amendments eliminate the Backflow Control Board, give code enforcement authority, and require future amendments to be approved by the Board by resolution.
• D4 – Stormwater Management Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rates: Approved 5-2 with Commissioners Cameron Cepeda and Wostal dissenting. The resolution sets assessment rates for calendar year 2026, resulting in an annual increase from approximately $38.3 million to $41.4 million (15% increase for maintenance). The average single-family homeowner will see an increase of about $6 per year. The increase funds additional contracted maintenance services.
• F1 – Growth-Related Infrastructure Fee Review Policy: Approved 7-0. Directed the County Administrator to return by January 2027 with a proposed policy requiring annual reporting and formal review of County-controlled impact and mobility fees at least every four years, with Board action after each review. Commissioner Boles noted the history of fee stagnation and the need for a predictable schedule.
• F2 – Budget Adjustments from Unused Flag Funds: Approved 7-0. Reallocated $718,424 from the Wimauma Community Plan Implementation to reserves, closed a project and transferred $150,000, added $400,000 to the Bridge and Guardrail Program for Bishop Road repairs, and added $468,424 to the Sidewalk Repair Program for Wimauma projects.
• F3 – Urban League Carryover Funding: Approved 7-0. Approved the carryforward of $72,000 in unused FY 2026 funding for the Urban League of Hillsborough County to FY 2027. Commissioner Myers also noted the recent death of CEO Stanley Gray and the planned merger with Pinellas Urban League.
• G2 – Dirt Road Stabilization Pilot: Approved 7-0. Staff presented a report on lower-cost alternatives to full paving, recommending a combination of geogrid and geotextile with stabilized aggregate. A pilot project on Valley Tree Drive at an estimated cost of $100,000 was approved. The treatment is expected to reduce maintenance needs for 5-10 years.

Key Outcomes

• Commendation presented to Mack Parkman Foundation.
• Consent agenda approved (7-0).
• Fifth modification to Garney wastewater contract approved ($586 million increase) (7-0).
• Jacobs Engineering modification for drinking water facility approved ($7.2 million) (7-0).
• Supplemental resolution for $700 million utility revenue bonds approved (7-0).
• ELAPP preserve easement for SHARP well approved (7-0).
• Short-term vacation rental registration ordinance and fee resolution adopted (7-0).
• Cross connection/backflow control ordinance amended (7-0).
• Stormwater assessment rates increased (5-2).
• Growth-related infrastructure fee review policy directed (7-0).
• Budget adjustments from flag funds approved (7-0).
• Urban League carryover funding approved (7-0).
• Dirt road stabilization pilot project approved (7-0).
• Commissioner Miller requested staff review non-consensual towing rates and consider a temporary fuel surcharge for tows.