Forward Pinellas adopts regional priorities and moves ahead on MPO merger procurement

Forward Pinellas on an affirmative voice vote approved regional transportation priorities for 2025 and authorized participation in a procurement to hire management and legal consultants to study a possible merger of the three Tampa Bay area Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).

The item matters because the three MPOs — Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas — must set coordinated priorities to compete for state transportation funds, and the procurement begins the formal study of whether and how the MPOs should merge into a regional MPO that could alter governance and long‑term regional planning.

Whit Blanton, executive director of Forward Pinellas, described the TMA Leadership Group and Suncoast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA) actions. He said the TMA adopted regional transportation priorities for the three‑county core and for an eight‑county region; those priorities are intended to improve competitiveness for state funding. Blanton said the region’s top unfunded priorities include express lanes on I‑275 and regional rapid transit concepts and that the list also tracks recently funded items already in the FDOT five‑year work program.

Blanton said the TMA leadership group also approved a scope of services and procurement timeline to hire a consultant team to advise on a potential merger of the Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas MPOs. He said the work will examine whether a merged MPO should be hosted by an existing local government or be a standalone agency, staffing and IT needs, local funding sources and legal questions tied to federal and Florida law. Blanton told the board the RFP would be issued in February with proposals due several weeks later and work expected to begin this summer if a contract is negotiated.

Blanton also summarized prior work: a feasibility report submitted to the governor and legislature in 2023, an adopted memorandum of understanding, and early consensus items such as a likely 25‑member board based on population and nonvoting advisory roles envisioned for transit operators and FDOT.

Board members asked about funding for a regional MPO. Blanton said the feasibility report identified a potential start‑up cost of about $5,000,000 but that the timing and source were not yet determined; FDOT has committed funds to support the management/legal consultant effort. Board members also noted the need to protect the voice of smaller cities and beach communities during any governance redesign.

The board moved and carried approval. Whit Blanton and FDOT staff said they would return with procurement materials and milestone updates.

The board also affirmed that Forward Pinellas representatives will continue to participate in TMA and SCTPA meetings as the procurement and feasibility work proceed.