Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – October 7, 2026

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the County Center, 2nd Floor, Tampa, Florida. Chair Ken Hagan presided. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the 2026 Anti-Bullying Recognition Award ceremony, a Fire Prevention Week proclamation, approval of agenda changes, a 45-minute public comment period, a unanimous consent agenda, time-certain updates on dengue fever and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, and votes on multiple commissioner items. A lunch recess was scheduled for 11:45 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies and Proclamation

• Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda presented the 2026 Anti-Bullying Recognition Award. Individual winner Madden Moore, an 18-year-old senior at Plant High School, was recognized for founding the “Big and Little Panther” program that paired more than 200 incoming freshmen with upperclassmen. Emerging Leader Award winner Nariah Rivera, a 10-year-old fourth grader at Lamona Elementary School, was recognized for anti-bullying activities through the Boys & Girls Club and an anti-bullying art show.
• Sponsor Eliya Ewing of Windward Wealth Management presented gifts to both award recipients.
• Commissioner Chris Boles presented a proclamation declaring October 4–10, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week in Hillsborough County. The 2026 theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging is a Superpower,” focused on lithium-ion battery fire risks. Fire Chief Jason Doherty and the Fire Marshal accepted the proclamation.

Agenda Changes

• The Board approved, 7–0, the revised agenda. Commissioner Cohen’s F-4 was revised to refer to micromobility devices including e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters. Commissioner Wostal removed consent items A-10, A-11, A-12, and A-39 for discussion. Time-certain items were set for 10:00 a.m. (G-1, B-1, B-2) and 10:15 a.m. (E-1).

Consent Calendar

• The Board approved the consent agenda 7–0. The consent agenda included more than 60 routine items and unanimous actions, including code enforcement liens and releases; maintained right-of-way maps; interlocal and grant agreements; procurement and cooperative contract awards; budget amendments; and Board reports. Notable consent items included:
  • A-9, directing the County Attorney to prepare and bring back annually a resolution opting not to exempt multifamily units serving households at 80–120 percent of median income under Section 196.1978(3)(o), Florida Statutes.
  • A-10 through A-12, Housing Finance Authority multi-family revenue bond resolutions for Garrison Flats ($26,500,000; 100 units), Mobbly Shores ($29,500,000; 159 units), and Cortaro Heights ($23,500,000; 100 units). These three were removed from consent and deferred later during the meeting.
  • A-13, authorizing up to $200,000,000 in Housing Finance Authority single-family mortgage revenue bonds.
  • A-58, awarding a $21,324,171 contract for Thonotosassa Park Expansion and Library Replacement.
  • A-39, which was removed from consent and handled separately as a Community Investment Tax public hearing item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Margaret James Jamsky, speaking with Preserve Rural Lithia, opposed making Lithia the pilot for the proposed Transportation Investment Corridor framework (F-1). She said residents had been consistent: “Fix the infrastructure, slow down the growth,” and that the proposal starts from an assumption that growth in Lithia is a given, in a rural area outside the Urban Service Area.
• Lorene Gullaner described her four-and-a-half years navigating family court as a domestic violence survivor, alleging mistreatment by officials and attorneys, and requested library-based, classroom-style family law workshops.
• Layla Lillyquist urged the county to create a school-based tree-planting program, citing 250,000 students, Florida’s 49th ranking in volunteerism, and the loss of one-third of the county’s tree canopy.
• Tony Rivera, president of The Plantation homeowners association, thanked Commissioner Hagan and the county for road repairs after 35 years and requested additional sidewalk and village road work, submitting a list of problem locations.
• Tom Cobert, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran, urged the county to take local action to prevent federal agents from intimidating voters at polling places.
• Karen McGinnis Vaughn, vice chair of the Hillsborough Historic Resource Review Board and a Mosley Homestead trustee, objected to the School Board’s approval of a workforce housing pilot at McLane Middle School, citing lack of transparency, absence of Historic Resource Review Board consultation, infrastructure concerns, and the 1910 school building’s historic value.

Dengue Fever Update and Mosquito Control Emergency Items (G-1, B-1, B-2) – 10:00 a.m.

• Dr. Carla Fry (Florida Department of Health administrator and health officer), Josh Bilotti (Engineering & Operations), Fire Chief Jason Doherty, and Acting Emergency Management Director Jerry Stickney presented a coordinated situational update.
• Hillsborough County had 223 confirmed locally acquired dengue cases, with additional cases awaiting confirmation. Dr. Fry said this is the largest dengue outbreak in Florida’s modern history.
• Mosquito control and outreach statistics presented included: 22,000 homes visited; more than 500 businesses reached; more than 350,000 acres treated by aerial and ground application; more than 6,500 mosquito dunks distributed; more than 14,000 repellent packets and wipes distributed; more than 3,000 tires identified and notified; 236 media mentions; television and radio ads reaching more than 20 million people; more than 148,000 social media impressions; and more than 41,000 HCFL Alert contacts.
• B-1, approved 6–0, retroactively approved three non-declared emergency procurements with ADAPCO, LLC totaling $848,755.50 for mosquito control products, funded from FY26 approved budgets.
• B-2, approved 6–0, retroactively delegated authority to the Engineering & Operations Director to execute a mutual aid MOU with Lee County Mosquito Control District, retroactive to September 23, 2026. Costs for products provided to Lee County were estimated at $250,000 from the BOCC-Dengue Fever Outbreak-Disaster Events Fund.
• Staff said procurement costs had risen from about $2.5 million to $4.1 million, and to more than $6 million after a purchase order issued the morning of the meeting. The county is using disaster/emergency reserve funds and seeking state reimbursement.
• Commissioner Cameron Cepeda expressed concern about over-spraying, human health effects, and harm to bees. Staff responded that products are EPA-approved, applied by licensed applicators according to labeling, and that local beekeeping associations are notified before missions.
• Commissioner Cohen asked about residential inspections and repellent. DOH advised dumping standing water from items such as dog dishes, toys, plant saucers, and tires, and treating insect repellent as routinely as sunscreen.
• G-1 to receive the report was approved, recorded as 6–0 after a vote-count correction.

ZooTampa Funding Agreement (B-3)

• The Board approved, 4–3, a 15-year agreement providing up to $75,000,000 in Renewed Community Investment Tax funding to ZooTampa, matched 1:1 by $75,000,000 from ZooTampa, for zoo improvements and a proposed South America animal habitat in adjacent City-owned Lowry Park.
• Up to $43,000,000 for the South America habitat is contingent on an amendment to ZooTampa’s lease and operating agreement with the City of Tampa to include the 13-acre expansion area. Funding is also contingent on adding the project to the renewed CIT project list, a CIP amendment, and an FY27 budget amendment.
• Commissioner Wostal said he fully supports ZooTampa but could not support $75 million when the CIT designated only $50 million for all cultural institutions. Commissioners Cohen, Hagan, and Myers joined him in voting no.

Utility Revenue Bonds Budget Amendment (B-4)

• The Board approved, 7–0, the FY27 budget amendment resolution related to the Series 2026A Utility Revenue Bonds. Staff described it as utilizing $148.8 million of bond proceeds, while the agenda text states $648,797,696.50 in proceeds; the source material contains this discrepancy.
• The amendment makes line-item realignments for the $1.8 billion One Water project, including financing a portion of construction costs, repaying commercial paper and short-term notes, and paying issuance costs. Staff said the net project impact is zero.

Greater Hillsborough County Fair Sidewalk (B-5)

• The Board approved, 7–0, a resolution and funding agreement not to exceed $79,431 to reimburse the Greater Hillsborough County Fair Association for construction of a new sidewalk at 215 Sydney Washer Road, Dover, at the main fair entrance. The board waived the policy provision requiring reimbursement before construction was completed; funding is in the adopted CIP.

Tampa Bay Sports Commission Report (E-1) – 10:15 a.m.

• Lanness Robinson, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, presented the 2026 activity report. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, the commission produced over 250,000 room nights against a goal of just over 200,000.
• 2026 highlights included NCAA March Madness first/second rounds with over 55,000 fans; Premier League Mornings Live at Armature Works with 15,000 attendees and 5.5 million viewers; WWE Backlash; an England–New Zealand soccer friendly; National Veteran Golden Age Games with over 1,200 participants; and SEC Football Media Days with over 50 hours of ESPN coverage.
• Upcoming events include the SEC Gymnastics and American Athletic Conference basketball championships in March 2027, the Florida–Georgia football game in October 2027, and the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2029. The Board received the report 6–0.

Commissioner Items

• F-2 (Department of Juvenile Justice): Approved 6–0 to authorize staff to conduct community engagement, identify rezoning requirements, and clarify interlocal/lease terms for DJJ’s potential use of the 40-acre County-owned Stark Road property, previously leased to DJJ from 1975 to 2004, for a detention facility. Staff will return with a report on next steps, costs, and responsibilities.
• F-3 (Budget realignment): Approved 6–0 to realign $100,000 in CIP funding from the Highland Pines Outreach Center Capital Contribution to the Cuban Civic Club Capital Contribution because the Highland Pines funds remained unexpended and no agreement had been negotiated.
• F-4 (Micromobility ordinance): Approved 6–0 to direct the County Attorney, with county staff and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, to review state laws on micromobility devices (e-bikes, bicycles, and scooters), evaluate possible local regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and education, and bring back a draft ordinance at the next BOCC meeting.
• F-5 (Honorary roadway): Approved 6–0 to designate Bill Noriega Avenue on Carver Avenue. The designation is honorary and does not rename the roadway or change street numbering.

Removed Consent Items: Live Local Housing Bond Resolutions (A-10, A-11, A-12)

• Commissioner Wostal moved to deny A-10, arguing the Board should not facilitate Live Local Act projects while simultaneously suing the state over the law’s constitutionality, and noting no Live Local projects had been approved in unincorporated Hillsborough County.
• Commissioner Cohen offered a substitute motion to defer A-10, A-11, and A-12 to a future meeting to allow additional consideration. The deferral was approved 6–0.

Removed Consent Item: Community Investment Tax Public Hearing (A-39)

• The Board considered scheduling a public hearing to add the Tampa Bay Rays’ Ballpark and ZooTampa Capital Improvements to the renewed Community Investment Tax project list for the period December 1, 2026 through December 31, 2041.
• Commissioner Wostal requested an evening hearing at an alternate East Hillsborough venue in the interest of public transparency. After discussion about quorum and scheduling, the Board split the item:
  • The alternate 6:30 p.m. hearing for the Tampa Bay Rays item, at a centrally located East Hillsborough venue on a date coordinated by the County Administrator with the Board, was approved 5–1, with Commissioner Myers voting no.
  • The ZooTampa item was scheduled for October 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., as originally advertised, approved 6–0.

Future Discussion Items

• Commissioner Cohen asked staff to explore drowning-prevention education for children with autism, including free pool alarms available through the Department of Health, and to schedule a measure to rename the Warren Alley Media Room to the Warren Alley and Mark Zewok Media Center.
• Commissioner Wostal noted the third anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel and the Board’s prior expression of support.
• Commissioner Boles requested a report from the County Administrator and Code Enforcement on the total number, dollar value, and likely collectability of outstanding code enforcement liens, particularly those on properties owned by corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or other business entities.
• Chair Hagan requested the County Attorney’s Office to review the agri-tourism statute, Section 570.85, Florida Statutes, and other legal authority, and report on options to regulate substantial off-site impacts including noise, traffic, and public safety, as well as enforcement options.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7–0.
• ZooTampa funding agreement approved 4–3 (no: Commissioners Cohen, Hagan, and Myers).
• B-4 and B-5 approved 7–0.
• Dengue update received and B-1/B-2 emergency approvals each approved 6–0.
• Tampa Bay Sports Commission report received 6–0.
• F-2, F-3, F-4, and F-5 each approved 6–0.
• A-10, A-11, and A-12 deferred 6–0.
• A-39 split: Rays alternate evening hearing approved 5–1 (Myers no); ZooTampa Oct 21 hearing approved 6–0.
• Staff were directed on future items related to pool alarms/media room renaming, code enforcement liens, and agri-tourism review.