During the Feb. 18, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting:
The Board declared Feb. 26 through March 8, 2026, as Florida Strawberry Festival Days. Since 1930, the festival has united the community by bringing together people to honor farmers and celebrate the bountiful strawberry harvest, a $1.1 billion industry in Hillsborough County alone. The Florida Strawberry Festival draws over 650,000 residents and visitors from around the world each year, introducing them to Plant City agriculture, arts, businesses, horticulture, and industry.
Board Approves $10 Million Increase for Gibsonton Septic-to-Sewer Project
The Board approved the Second Modification to the Construction Management At-Risk Agreement with Ric-Man Construction Florida, Inc. to authorize construction associated with the Gibsonton Septic-to-Sewer (S2S) Conversion Project, increasing the existing contract amount by $10 million, from $61 million to $71 million.
Board Directs Expansion of County Seat Boundaries to Encompass Entire County
The Board directed the County Attorney's Office to process a resolution in compliance with Florida Statutes, Section 138.12, to expand the geographical area of the county seat beyond the limits of the City of Tampa, so that the county seat will encompass the entire boundary of Hillsborough County. In addition, the County Attorney's Office is to provide the required statutory public notice and two public hearings.
BOCC Approves Disaster Recovery Housing Assistance Program and Infrastructure Projects
The Board received and approved a report on the County's U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery or CDBG-DR program. The report included a status update, overview of a proposed Single-Family Housing Program, and supporting Action Plan amendment. The CDBG-DR Single-Family Housing Program allocates $211,339,196 in grant funding under the County's Action Plan and is expected to assist approximately 1,000 single-family homeowners (including mobile homes) who owned their property at the time it was impacted by Hurricanes Helene and/or Milton.
Board Approves $9 Million for Phase 1 Flood Mitigation Projects Funded by CDBG-DR Grant
The Board also approved an initial list of seven infrastructure projects funded by the CDBG-DR grant. These projects were selected to address and/or mitigate the impacts of flooding across the county. They fall into three categories:
- neighborhood drainage improvements,
- permanent pump station projects;
- and culvert repair and/or replacement projects.
The estimated cost for Phase 1 projects is approximately $9 million.
Board Reviews MOSI Property Phase 1 Development Plan Featuring Hotels, Housing, Retail, and Movie Theater
The Board received a staff report detailing the MOSI Property Development Phase 1 Pre-Development Agreement and Master Development Conceptual Plan. Located at the corner of Fowler Avenue and North 50th Street in Tampa, the mixed-use development will include two hotels, multifamily housing, retail and office space, a field house, a movie theater, and an ice plex. The Planning Commission approved the plan on Feb. 9, and on April 23, a Future Land Use Public Hearing will be held with the City of Tampa.
Board to Name Planned Good Government Award Display After Longtime District 2 Legislative Aide
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners approved naming a planned wall display in the County Center lobby honoring recipients of the County's Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award after Richard "Rich" Reidy, the longtime aide to BOCC Chair Ken Hagan. Reidy, who passed away on Nov. 11, 2025, was widely respected both within government and throughout the community. The Good Government Award display was his vision. Recipients of the Good Government Award demonstrate unwavering dedication to exceptional public service, the advancement of Hillsborough County, and the prosperity of its residents and businesses. The display will also include a plaque commemorating Reidy's legacy.
The next BOCC regular meeting is at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 4. You can watch the meeting live on YouTube on the Hillsborough County Meetings channel.
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