Tampa Bay Water board initiates repeal of remaining agency rules

Tampa Bay Water's Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the agency's regulatory plan and to initiate rulemaking to repeal the remaining agency rules, the board heard at its meeting. Kelly Fernandez, general counsel, told the board the action responds to a recent legislative change requiring agencies to include in their regulatory plans a list of rules and a five‑year repeal schedule. Fernandez said most Tampa Bay Water rules had already been repealed after the agency’s interlocal agreement, and the remaining rules “do not really add anything to the agency's authority.” The staff recommendation, adopted by the board, is to convert any remaining operational items the agency wants to keep into board‑adopted policies before the rules are repealed. The motion to approve the regulatory plan and start the repeal process was made by Commissioner Oakley, seconded by Commissioner Eggers, and passed unanimously.