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Hillsborough County commissioners keep officers, approve Bowles for expressway authority in 5–2 vote
Summary
At the Board of County Commissioners' organizational meeting, the board voted to keep its current officers and most committee assignments intact and then approved Commissioner Bowles' appointment to the Hillsborough Expressway Authority on a 5–2 roll call; Commissioner Wilson said she will seek removal of an appointee who voted to raise property taxes.
Rick VanArsdal, clerk to the board, opened the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners organizational meeting and described the nomination and voting process for officers, saying, “All voting will be by show of hands, and please keep your hands up until I call your name.”
A motion to waive the rules and keep the three officers the same for the coming year was moved and seconded; the board approved the motion unanimously. The board then followed past practice by asking that most external board assignments remain unchanged and agreed to remove the Hillsborough Expressway Authority seat for separate consideration.
Commissioner Miller thanked the outgoing chair for his service and presented a commemorative gift; an unnamed board member accepted the appreciation on behalf of the chair.
During discussion of external assignments, Commissioner Wilson raised a concern about an appointee to an external board, saying an appointee had recently voted to increase property taxes and that she would bring a future item to consider removing that person for not representing the board’s values. “In the future, I’m gonna be bringing an item to consider removing that person as I don’t believe they’re representing our values properly on that board,” Wilson said.
The omnibus motion to remain on current external boards (with the expressway authority removed) was approved 7–0.
The board then considered a separate motion to appoint Commissioner Bowles to the temporary Hillsborough Expressway Authority seat. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cohen. Board members asked whether the appointment would create conflicts with other boards and what perspective the appointee would bring; supporters said the appointment would provide additional transportation perspectives for projects such as the U.S. 301 corridor and public‑private partnership proposals.
The appointment of Commissioner Bowles to the Hillsborough Expressway Authority passed 5–2, with Commissioners Cameron Cepeda and Will still voting no. Following that vote the clerk recorded the result and the board adjourned.
Votes at a glance: A motion to waive the rules and keep officers the same — approved (unanimous). Motion to keep most external assignments intact (omnibus, expressway authority removed) — approved 7–0. Motion to appoint Commissioner Bowles to the Hillsborough Expressway Authority — approved 5–2 (Cepeda and Will still voted no).
The meeting adjourned with no further items on the agenda.
