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Board approves closed attorney‑client sessions in litigation and elects new officers

Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors · March 2, 2026

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Summary

The board voted to recess for two attorney‑client sessions to discuss pending litigation (Polk Regional Water Cooperative v. SWFWMD and Tampa Bay Water), and by acclamation elected Hannah Witts as chair and Pasco Commissioner Seth Waitman as vice chair effective at the end of the meeting.

The board authorized two attorney‑client sessions under Florida Statute 286.011(8) to discuss settlement negotiations and litigation strategy in Polk Regional Water Cooperative v. Southwest Florida Water Management District and Tampa Bay Water (Div. Admin. Hearings No. 25‑005480). Deputy General Counsel David Jackson said the sessions were requested to discuss settlement and litigation expenditures; Commissioner Peters moved approval, and Councilwoman Hanowitz seconded the motion which carried.

After regular business, Commissioner Oakley nominated Hannah Witts for chair; with no other nominations, the board approved the nomination by acclamation. Pasco County Commissioner Seth Waitman was nominated and confirmed as vice chair by acclamation. The board subsequently moved to receive and file meeting materials and recessed to the authorized attorney‑client sessions for an expected 60 minutes.

The closed sessions were scheduled to include general counsel (via Zoom), deputy general counsel, special counsel and selected board members and staff; a certified court reporter was listed for the session. No privileged material from the closed session was discussed in the public portion of the meeting.