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Hillsborough County stormwater study finds large capital gap; recommends asset maintenance, coordination and public outreach
Summary
Black & Veatch and county staff briefed Temple Terrace on a post‑Hurricane Milton regional stormwater assessment that identified a $300 million capital needs list and a funding gap; the firm recommended pump-station modernization, targeted ditch maintenance, updated flood modeling, interagency coordination and expanded public outreach.
Hillsborough County’s post‑storm assessment, prepared by Black & Veatch and presented to the Temple Terrace City Council and staff, concluded that capital needs to address countywide flood risk total roughly $300 million and that implementing the full capital program would yield approximately $120 million in avoided flood damages.
Black & Veatch presenter John Dingens summarized the firm’s seven‑month effort, which combined county flood models, asset inventories, public engagement and thousands of photographs. He said the study identified "flood focus areas" where flooding was more severe and that county flood models correlated well with observed flooding. Dingens added that the county’s higher‑resolution mapping sometimes shows flood risk where FEMA maps do not.
The assessment found strengths in the county’s flood modeling, mapping and capital program but flagged shortfalls in pump station condition, asset maintenance, interagency coordination (including with FDOT and adjacent counties) and public understanding of the county’s work program. Dingens said many pump stations are nearing the end of design life and recommended prioritizing high‑risk ditches for detailed maintenance plans, continuing pump‑station modernization, updating watershed master plans and aligning development standards across jurisdictions.
County staff and consultants emphasized the scale of the funding gap and said capital improvements exceed available resources. Josh Pilati (Hillsborough County) and county staff described next steps: alternatives analyses and project development to define specific capital projects and funding strategies. Council members pressed for clear recommendations Temple Terrace could act on, and county staff said watershed master plans and coordinated alternatives analysis would identify specific upgrades and funding options for municipalities.
The presentation included public‑engagement results: Black & Veatch said more than 450 residents participated in outreach events and logged comments used to refine flood‑focus mapping. The firm recommended continued outreach and better communication about the county’s program of projects so residents understand maintenance and capital priorities.
Council members asked how the county’s work would apply in Temple Terrace, which shares pump stations, ponds and outfalls with the county; county staff said coordination is essential and noted that Temple Terrace does not have a separate stormwater fee while the county and many nearby jurisdictions do. The county will make its report public and said it will share the executive summary and full report with the city.
Action/directions: Council members and staff asked county and consultant teams to share the full report and executive summary; county staff said they will proceed to alternatives analysis and watershed master‑plan updates that will identify specific projects and funding strategies for council review.
