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County details stormwater recovery, next steps after independent regional assessment
Summary
Hillsborough County staff reported on follow-up actions from a Black & Veatch regional stormwater assessment, including emergency restorations on canals and a plan to advance capital projects and a rate study to fund long‑term mitigation.
County staff updated commissioners Sept. 17 on progress and next steps following the Black & Veatch regional stormwater assessment commissioned after Hurricane Milton.
Josh Belotti, engineering and operations, highlighted 18 flood focus areas identified in the assessment and summarized work already completed: about 5,000 feet of emergency washout restoration and bank stabilization along portions of Baker Canal where the county has access, roughly 900 feet of ditch and pipe cleaning, and four and a half miles of emergency restoration in the Town 'n' Country area. Staff also reported repairs to three stormwater pump stations and replacement of culverts in heavily impacted areas.
Belotti said the county is moving into a second phase that refines conceptual recommendations into capital projects, engineering analyses and feasibility designs. That work will include clarifying ownership and maintenance responsibilities for waterways, completing habitat and conveyance restoration design in areas such as Brushy Creek, and pursuing funding strategies including a stormwater non‑ad valorem assessment rate study, community investment tax revenues, and potential grants.
"This process is actually going to serve as a pilot that we can then apply to other focus areas as applicable," Belotti told the board, and staff committed to continued community engagement and coordination with permit agencies.
Commissioners asked about permitting timelines, resource constraints, and potential emergency permitting for private roads and bridges. County leadership said permitting for certain projects (for example a local bridge referenced in discussion) has been completed and that Emergency Management and County Attorney staff are exploring options to streamline assistance for privately maintained infrastructure where legally permissible.
The board received the staff report and asked staff to return with more detailed project lists and funding options as engineering work progresses.
