During the Nov. 13, 2024, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting:
The Board declared November 2024 as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States, and Hillsborough County is committed to the eradication of the disease.
The County supports the early detection in residents and the advancement of clinical research in the field.
The Board authorized County staff to assign a qualified engineering consultant to lead the initial phase of a multiagency regional effort to address stormwater management and flood protection.
The effort will include reviewing the flooding and community impacts from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, evaluation of immediate and long-term stormwater needs, and analysis of regional flood mitigation strategies. The next phase will recommend specific projects that may be necessary to minimize flooding in future storm events.
Commissioners approved a budget amendment to transfer $40 million from the Catastrophic Disaster Recovery Fund reserves and an additional $17 million from the BOCC FEMA COVID-19 Disaster Events Fund to the Hurricane Milton - Disaster Events Fund.
This action is necessary to continue funding debris removal, emergency protective measures, and other recovery efforts.
The Board approved the allocation of $5.6 million in HOPE funds for a one-time use to support the urgent community needs in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton for citizens with area median incomes up to 120%.
The projects funded include the replacement of hurricane damaged and/or irreparable mobile and single-family homes.
Commissioners received an update on the One Water – South Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Project, which includes the design, permitting, and construction of a new advanced wastewater treatment facility, a new wastewater pump station, large diameter wastewater force mains, and reclaimed water mains in South County.
The multi-year project is being delivered in two main phases:
- Phase 1 involves design, permitting, and purchasing.
- Phase 2, which is expected to begin in winter 2025, is the full construction portion of the project.
The update included the continued effort to hire disadvantaged minority and women owned businesses for work on the project.
The Board approved the first modification to the progressive design-build agreement for the project to increase the existing contract by $60.1 million to begin easement acquisitions, equipment purchases, and pay permit fees.
Commissioners also approved the fifth modification to the engineering contracts to provide for additional technical and project management support services.
The Board said goodbye to District 6 Commissioner Pat Kemp, who, after serving Hillsborough County since 2016, is concluding her term as a Hillsborough County Commissioner.
The next BOCC regular meeting is at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. You can watch the meeting live on YouTube on the Hillsborough County Meetings channel.
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