The Hillsborough County Charter Review Board opened a multi-month discussion about whether to change the size and composition of the county commission, including the possibility of single-member districts, a larger commission and triggers for more frequent reapportionment.

Board members argued over trade-offs between district-based representation and countywide (at-large) commissioners. Dr. Collins said she favored single-member districts to improve local representation, noting population coverage concerns: “I do believe in single member district. I wanted to maintain single member district, particularly with, what I think would be good to make sure that we have great representation.” Several other members, including Julianne Holt and Sue Carlton, said countywide commissioners encourage officials to consider the countywide public interest rather than only local priorities; Holt said she was “not a fan of single member districts totally.”

Members asked county staff for data to frame the debate. The board scheduled a demographic presentation from the county planning commission for the next meeting and asked staff to include population projections, geographic distribution and a broad-brush cost estimate for any change in commission size. Board members also requested information about redistricting logistics — how often lines must be redrawn, the effects of varying district sizes, and legal constraints tied to the decennial census and one-person/one-vote requirements.

During discussion, board member Roche summarized comparative population-to-representative ratios for other Florida counties to illustrate options: he said Broward County, with roughly 2 million people, has nine single-member districts (about 219,000 residents per representative), while Hillsborough’s current mix yields district commissioners representing about 380,000 people under the present 1.5 (at-large/district mix) model. Members noted that growth in South County — particularly in District 4 — has amplified reapportionment pressure and said they want options to trigger adjustments more frequently than the 10-year census cycle if warranted.

No formal charter amendment or resolution on commission makeup was adopted at the meeting. The board agreed to collect demographic data, request cost estimates (staffing, office space and related budget impacts) and invite commissioners and outside experts to brief the board in coming months before making recommendations.