During the April 1, 2026, Board of County Commissioners meeting:
The Board declared April as Water Conservation Month and May 17-23 as Florida Water Reuse Week to teach residents ways they can help save Florida’s water resources.
In addition to encouraging Florida-Friendly Landscaping and its beneficial uses, the Southwest Florida Water Management District promotes water conservation through educational efforts, community outreach, water use restrictions, agency partnerships, and construction of reclaimed water systems.
Commissioners approved a funding allocation of $1.939 million over the next two years to Tampa General Hospital to help fund an employer-based workforce housing development.
The project is the first of its kind in the county and will provide 170 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable rental units, a child care center, and shuttle services in Brandon. The project aims to attract and retain health care workers at TGH and USF Health.
Commissioners appropriated more than $70 million from the Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery or CDBG-DR funds for the Rebuilding for Tomorrow program to go toward projects to repair damage caused to roads, canals, culverts, pump stations, wastewater lift stations, and other public systems, and for projects that will improve the area’s future storm resilience.
Much of the remaining federal grant money will be used for programs that help those whose homes were damaged by the storms.
The Rebuilding for Tomorrow program is covered under Hillsborough County’s $709 million disaster recovery federal grant that was awarded after the county suffered major damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Find a list of specific projects funded by the grant to improve drainage and protect against future flooding at HCFL.gov.
The Board directed County staff to begin negotiations with ZooTampa on a public/private partnership and identify funding sources to help the zoo with future expansion.
The recommended partnership should strive to achieve a dollar-for-dollar match on any potential funding.
A majority of commissioners voted to schedule a public workshop once more is known on a Tampa Bay Rays’ potential move to Hillsborough County. The workshop will be held in an effort to foster discussion, ask questions, and create public transparency on any future plans.
The next BOCC regular meeting is at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2026. You can watch the meeting live on YouTube on the Hillsborough County Meetings channel.
Find Hillsborough County meeting agendas.
Watch previous BOCC Meetings in Minutes recaps
Subscribe to the Hillsborough County Commission Connection newsletter.