During the Jan. 15, 2025, Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting:
The Board declared January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, Florida ranks third in the nation for the number of tip calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
The Florida Statewide Council on Human Trafficking was created to enhance the development and coordination of state and local law enforcement and social services responses to fight all forms of human trafficking and to support victims.
Commissioners also received the annual report from the Commission on Human Trafficking on its current initiatives to keep residents safe.
The Board awarded an agreement with Bandes Construction Company, Inc. for design-build services and construction of a new 60,000-square-foot Hillsborough County Fire Rescue warehouse. The project includes a logistics and special operations warehouse, emergency management shelter kit storage, surplus commodity storage, and other compatible operational uses.
Commissioners received a staff report on the historic stormwater flooding that occurred during the 2024 hurricane season. Staff is currently evaluating cumulative flooding impacts and stormwater needs, collecting stakeholder input, and developing recommendations to mitigate future storm impacts.
Some options include capacity and flood storage improvements, new pump stations, maintenance frequency adjustments, increased stormwater funding, and interagency collaboration.
The Board received an update on the Bethune Park Master Plan in Wimauma. This vision marks a key milestone towards Hillsborough County’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Wimauma residents. The planning process includes site inventory, community engagement workshops, and public input.
Staff’s preferred conceptual plan would include a library, splash pad, plenty of trees and shade, along with gathering space and a multipurpose stage for events. The estimated cost is $43 million with a large portion of funding coming from library ad valorem assessments and park mobility fees.
The next BOCC regular meeting is at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. You can watch the meeting live on YouTube on the Hillsborough County Meetings channel.
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